We did our second takeover of Upton Court parkrun today on what could have been a very wet day however the sun was on our side.

Arriving earlier than usual to meet Alison the Run Director for our marshal’s briefing. High-vis on we made our way to the start to listen to the welcome brief.

Not fast…just furious

I remember my first every parkrun, which coincidentally was at Upton Court Park. I was coming to meet the Run with Active Slough team as my initiation for my run leader role (or just to meet the team) back in September 2017.

I had heard of parkrun before but with 3 young children and Saturday clubs in place coming down to experience it was always a bit difficult.

What I still remember is how friendly everyone was on my first visit. Not knowing a single person there yet people still saying ‘hi’.

I was one of those ‘naked’ runners who ran without a watch so had no idea what time I did my first ever parkrun in. Therefore when the email came in it was a lovely surprise to see a 28 minute finish and 4th female in my age category…though the word Veteran took me all day to get over! I really enjoyed the run and since then have been back as many times as I can.

A park, some friends and a run

Parkrun has come on a long way since it started as a runners meet up event, to now being more focused on improving health and well-being, inspiring people to take exercise and meet others as well as the crucial volunteers who help make it happen.

About time we got involved

With the launch of Salt Hill junior parkrun tomorrow, Ciaran and I as the new Run Directors decided to take on the high pressure role of time-keepers! Which actually was more enjoyable than we thought it would have been. Waving in the first and the final runners was so satisfying. What a great way to see every runner come through the finishers funnel - all 194 of them.

Kam was on finish token duty making sure each runner got their token.

Cheer-ios

Our on field marshals team were Gauri, Nisha and Sut – cheer squading the runners and making sure they went the right way round the park. This was Guari’s first ever experience of parkrun and what an experience it was.

Walk this way

Our tail walking team consisted off Sara and Manjit. This was Manjit’s first task with Goodgym, so great to have you on board.

Lets hit the Bar-code...I've got free tokens

The dream team on scanning and sorting duties were Jenni, Ruth and Lucy, adhering to the parkrun guidelines on scanning those barcodes.

Picture Perfect

And our tourist Goodgymer Andy from Hounslow was on photo duty (hopefully not all selfies of himself)! Thanks for coming down to support us Andy.

Thank you to Upton Court parkrun for having us over to do the takeover and to all of our brilliant Goodgym volunteers for being amazing as always.

Already looking forward to our next takeover.

19 Goodgymers did what 1,000’s of people do every Saturday morning…we volunteered as high vis heroes at our local parkrun at Upton Court Park.

I love a parkrun and try to come down as often as I can. I’ve thought about volunteering in the past however the desire to beat my last parkrun time always makes me want to run instead!

Today, however, we did the deed! Got out of bed earlier than usual and made our way to Upton Court Park. Michael was on Run Director duty today which was great for us as he’s joined us in many a Goodgym session.

With all the duties highlighted, key Health and Safety information digested, we were ready for the runners to start.

In true parkrun style I’m going to share some key facts about our high vis heroes today…they probably aren’t aware of some of these (amazing what you can find out by having a little snoop on the parkrun website)

The Timekeepers:

Harbhajan is in the 250 club for parkrun! We are in awe of you! It will take me 10 years to catch up with you!

Kam is on a 4:1 ratio, 4 times a parkrun volunteer and 1 times a parkrun runner....and a whopping 17 timer Goodgymer

The Finisher Token Giver

Ciaran only did 2 parkruns in 2018 but still achieved 1st place in both runs! How does that happen? Superstar status comes to mind…

The Barcode Scanners and Token Sorter

Sara is a 8 timer parkrunner and now 3 timer Goodgymer…Sara, like me needs a 5km just to warm up, so she’s eagerly awaiting a 10k parkrun to start

Darren’s 1st parkrun was 3rd March 2018 where he got a first timer PB of 35:09 and now 11 months on he is on a sub 25 PB. Darren, a bit like his running debut with Run With Active Slough, has made a massive impact within Goodgym. He is now one of our taskforce members and has completed 17 Good Deeds with us.

So bizarrely, Ricky’s 1st parkrun at Upton was also on the 3rd March 2018! Though we didn’t know Ricky then. Ricky is chasing his 50th parkrun and well on the way to also getting his 50th Goodgym T-shirt too…clearly, its all about the free tops

The Marshals and the Photographers

Sandy and Ruth are TWINS - they both have a parkrun PB of exactly 32 mins! And would you Adam and Eve it, they are on exactly the same number of Goodgym Good Deeds! A clear bond between these two soul sisters

A couple of weeks ago Meera was a virgin….now she’s a fully fledged parkrunner…well done Meera on your 1st parkrun a couple of weeks ago

Jenni is our good deed extraordinaire! She’s now done over 100 Goodgym good deeds and has earnt her wings...she will be flying soon! She’s a 11 timer parkrunner.. like her Goodgyming, she’s not fussed where she parkruns. She has spread her parkrunning over 7 parkrun locations.

Sutyee is my ever improving prodigy! She only started running last year and now is on 36 parkruns…in 2018 she achieved more PB’s than anyone I know

James – this guy is a legend in his own right. He’s on 234 parkruns! He may be on a ‘break’ from running but we know he will be back with vengeance and get his 250 very soon.

The Tailwalkers

Chrissy is chasing her sub 30! She’s so close. Tip – don’t run with Pete! He just holds you back. Chrissy is also one of our long term team members…she’s on 14 Good Deeds now and well on her way to her black T-shirt

Keira ran the exact same times in her parkrun in Sept 18 and October 18 – that’s pretty impressive! She’s on a 6 time parkrun roll and 11 times Goodgym roll

The Clear Up Man

Pete has being doing parkrun alphabet – he currently spells BUD in this endeavours… Pete has done 41 parkruns and we are slowly but surely getting him initiated into the Goodgym team…he’s on number 3 now

The Promoters

Harsha…well! What can I say about this lady’s running? She’s more a Spartan than a parkrunner, definitely a do gooder with all her Wolfpack challenges… a pleasure to have on the running team be it parkrun or Goodgym

Emma – This was Emma’s first trip to parkrun at Upton. Emma’s main sports are Netball and Rugby so she was well at home today in the club

My highest gender position has been 5! Darn those 4 faster ladies! I’m chasing my 50th (not in age!!!), 25 parkruns to go…though I reckon my next free t-shirt will be the black 50 Goodgym one..

A great start to the day, so good to see parkrun from the other side! Amazing to watch all the runners coming through the finisher’s tunnel with the look of pure grit and determination. Been a parkrunner may times but never been on the marshalling side. Massive kudos to all the volunteers at every parkrun who make it happen! And the added bonus of Upton Court parkrun is the tea/coffee/bacon sarnies available to purchase in the Rugby club…so next time you are free on a Saturday morning, why not give marshalling a chai! And have a look at the volunteer roster to see what you can muster…