Helping out at parkrun again

avatar
(Edited)

I was planning to run at Henlow Bridge Lakes today, but they were short of volunteers again. Just after I offered to help I got notified that I could get a COVID booster. I had tried to book one online, but the web site was just not working. You would wait in a virtual queue and when you did select a time and location it would give an error. The text I got said it was at the medical centre up the road, but then I got a call to say it was actually in Shefford, which is a short drive away. I thought I might still make it back for parkrun, but I told the run director I might be late.

I was up early to be out at around 7:45. Although I had a booked time of 8:07 there were lots of people there already and I joined a long queue. It did not actually take too long though. I had time to get home and get a lift to near the parkrun meetup point. Just after I cross the railway bridge a steam train came through, but I did not get a photo.

I was stationed on a corner just after the muddy section. A few people had dressed up as it was the last event of the year. We had a Santa marshal and an elf runner.

Elf

It is interesting to see all the different runners and how they get on. Some were a lot older than me. These two old guys had shirts for 250 and 500 runs, so one must have done just about every week since it started.

Oldies

Another guy looked familiar and as he passed he said 'Hi Steve, it's Tom'. I realised it was a guy I used to work with. He did not hang around to chat, but I checked the results and he is based in London where he has done over 100 events plus a lot in other locations.

There were a few runners with dogs, including one with a dachshund who must have clocked up a lot of steps. There was nobody walking all the way this time, so the two tail walkers were a long way behind the field. Usually someone is going to take around an hour, but I crossed the line with them in about 48 minutes after clearing up the cones and arrows.

Selfie

A group of runners were running back to Biggleswade. That is about 10km, but I think they got the train down earlier.

If you do parkrun I would suggest you volunteer a few times each year. It cannot happen if there are not enough helpers and most of those would like to run too.

I hope to run on Christmas day at the Bedford parkrun. I am sure lots of people will turn out.

I hope all the Hive runners have had a good year. Onwards to 2022!

Run free and stay well.



0
0
0.000
9 comments
avatar

That's great that you volunteered. Looks like a good time to do so as well. With some people wearing costumes it would be good for people watching lol

0
0
0.000
avatar

I think we need more such events that get people together, but are not about anyone making money.

!BEER

0
0
0.000
avatar

Sounds like a busy morning, got to love the 500 shirt that is a lot of parkruns! I have never seen the blue one before, I don't think anyone has made it 500 in Australia yet. Suppose there keen tourist as well if you haven't seen them before. Does your local parkrun have a coffee meet up afterwards?

0
0
0.000
avatar

There is a cafe at the camp site we run around, but I have not been there yet. Some people are really keen at clocking up the runs and travelling around. There seem to be tourists there every week. I tend to go for convenience. This run does need more people who will volunteer though so I can run more often.

!BEER

0
0
0.000
avatar

I don't understand what this volunteering and helping is about, what do volunteers help people do?

0
0
0.000
avatar

People are needed to set up the course, do timing and generally watch that everyone is okay. Accidents do happen, as I know well :) It is about providing a safe event that also lets people see how they did. We do it for the fun of it.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Ok, sounds really good. All I could imagine before was holding people's hands as you and them run

0
0
0.000