Tube Challenge parkrun league...

[Iain]

I visited Preston Park today - all tarmac and with a bit of a slope. The first "lap" is an out and back and then two proper laps. I started too far back and I reckon that cost me the fastest time of the year. I seem to be getting better after a year of slowing down.

The downside of the day was a rail replacement bus - very poor signage at Wivelsfield meant I nearly missed the bus on the way down, then a twenty plus minute late train on the way back filled with anti-Brexit marchers led to me sitting in the toilet to get a seat.

A really friendly team, and I'd definitely recommend it

[dstock17]

In contrast to Iain I wouldn't recommend Barnstaple parkrun team unfriendly or just can't be bothered. Course is narrow at start recommend slower runners at back but no I was well held I was 8 rows back didn't even get really up to speed until at least 4 mins in I reckon that cost me a low 20m time. Course itself is OK just wish they had a wider start which they could do if tweaked it. Its another one off the list 37 in South West now

[Soup Dragon]

Twelve runners this weekend enjoyed the spring like conditions on offer. This resulted in several records being set:

This weeks Highlights
Rhys1995 set his 3rd consecutive PB, this time at Roding Valley in 22:54
Soup Dragon achieved a SB of 8th at Lancing Beach Green, in a CB time of 20:23
***** ran a SB of 25:29 as the Irish Eyes smiled on him at Johnstown, also achieving a SB 30th place.
Going Underground didn't achieve the run of the century at Millennium Country, but 33:50 is a SB and his best time since November.
Scrxisi was big Down Under at Wangaratta, getting a SB 43rd place.
Andi becomes our first runner at Barnstaple, setting the benchmark at 21:00 exactly.
Tractakid is our first runner to venture up Dunstable Downs, with a time of 24:40

Medals changing hands:
Drain Brain claims Bronze at Upton Court, which drops Going Underground out of the medals.
At Roding Valley Rhys1995 claims his first medal, a silver, which drops Scrxisi down to bronze. Drain Brain is out of the medals.

Full update is available here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... sp=sharing

[Iain]

Today saw a trip to Sunny Hill, which was both sunny and hilly. My slowest time for a few weeks reflects the toughness of the course, but I did have a battle with Kev most of the way round. A new contender for toughest London parkrun, but some great views and a lovely team

[Going Underground]

Today saw a trip to Sunny Hill, which was both sunny and hilly. My slowest time for a few weeks reflects the toughness of the case, but I did have a battle with Kev most of the way round. A new contender for toughest London parkrun, but some great views and a lovely team

hardest one in Lon-done I would say and a nice scrap and chat on the way round we had - although the 1 second gap might not quite be strictly accurate

[Soup Dragon]

Eleven runners this weekend, it was a lovely warm sunny morning in Havant, a nice course but rather stony in places. I almost stacked it on the first lap when tripping on one of the stones, and it took me several meters to get back into a decent stride.

This weeks Highlights
Rhys1995 makes it 4 out of 4 with another PB, again at Roding Valley but now down to 22:17
Das shaved almost a minute off his PB setting a new time of 33:04 at Chippenham
***** had another good run in Ireland, setting a SB of 25:08 at Tramore
Andi sets the benchmark at Sale Water in 20:50
Going Underground wins the battle of Sunny Hill in a time of 36:05, pipping Iain by a dubious 1 second.
Soup Dragon claims 10th place at Havant in 20:52

The only medals changing hands were at Havant
Soup Dragon takes Gold, Andi slips to silver, Drain Brain is now in bronze, and The Raven is out of the medals.

Full Results are here https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... sp=sharing

[Soup Dragon]

Just for a bit of fun, here is a list of the top ten courses that are hardest to gain medals (on the basis on three medals already awarded)
They are listed by time required to claim Bronze!
1. Gunnersbury - 20:41
2. Worthing - 21:23
3. Milton Keynes - 21:40
4. Southwark - 23:06
5. Hackney Marshes - 23:08
6. Bushy - 23:15
7. Pymmes - 23:31
8. Barking - 23:54
9. Tamar Lakes - 24:00
10. Peckham Rye - 24:06

A couple of new entries to this list since first published in January:
1. Gunnersbury - 20:41
2. Worthing - 21:23
3. Milton Keynes - 21:40
4. Heartlands - 22:56 (NEW ENTRY)
5. Southwark - 23:06
6. Hackney Marshes - 23:08
7. Bushy - 23:15
7= Roding Valley - 23:15 (NEW ENTRY)
9. Pymmes - 23:31
10. Barking - 23:54

[Rhys1995]

First of all on a slightly unrelated note this is the first time I've logged in for almost 4 years (!!!!!)

Secondly, hoping to get out on a park run this Saturday in Roding Valley, however with planned engineering works between Bethnal Green and Loughton I'll have to see whether I can actually be bothered to lump a bus journey to Loughton (snore).

[dstock17]

Can I tempt u to barclay Parkrun seeing as ur up against me in world Cup.

[Rhys1995]

Barclay?

[greatkingrat]

You run 5km round a zigzag queue in a bank lobby.

[Going Underground]

Barclay?

Hoddesdon

[dstock17]

Yep not that far from Roding valley

[Iain]

Got my third compass point with Westmill today. A few slight hills but run on a real camber for a lot of the way round. Lovely course with toilets, a cafe, and even showers!

[dstock17]

Barclay Parkrun is hillier than it looks back off a bit as injury and marathon next Sunday should I advance to the next round I may forfeit as I don't want to injure myself for marathon next day.

But it's a lovely friendly Parkrun cracking birds as well