It was our first race event of 2016 and six GoodGymers (including Paul’s son, Keiran, who has also done a couple of good deeds with us to date) braved the cold and icy conditions and headed over to Pomphrey Hill for the usual Saturday morning parkrun. Only it wasn’t just any old parkrun as Pomphrey Hill were celebrating their 100th run and had encouraged all runners to come “dressed to impress”.

Naturally the gang duly obliged and arrived sporting a variety of natty bow ties, and in the case of Paul, a rather fetching Mad Hatter’s hat, which surely must have been borrowed from the recent Acta run that we did before Christmas.

Despite the cold it was a beautiful morning, which served to inspire some fantastic running and the conditions had also helped to firm up the muddy hill meaning that you didn’t spend each lap trying to run the mud off your trainers!

Results

Watch the Strava race here

At the head of the field we had Gary go off like a train, although steadily reeled in by Matt during the first lap, it was ultimately Gary who’s fast and steady pace saw him lead the team home in a time of 21:28 in 13th place overall - followed shortly by Matt in 19th place in a time of 22:19. (editors note: Matt did not go off like a train, Gary led from the start, Matt caught up and they ran a lap together then Gary

All runners had been asked to display the number of parkruns that they had completed on their kit and Dave sporting an “I’m 70” badge, managed to engineer a 70th place finish in a time of 26:22, a significant improvement on the Boxing Day and New Years Day runs at the same venue, and thus a course PB!

Richard was returning to parkrun action after a decorating marathon and discovered that the Pomphrey Hill course was a convenient bike ride from home along the Bristol to Bath Cycle Path and may therefore become his new home course. A solid return to parkrun action saw Richard home in 73rd place in a time of 26:56.

Prior to the event there had been much concern about how Paul would fare - would he remember to run the correct number of laps? It was therefore no surprise to see him arrive with his guide runner leading him home, son Kieran, to make sure there was no repeat of Paul’s last parkrun adventure. Sure enough, Kieran coolly ensured that his dad got it right this time and both came home in 29:25, whilst keeping plenty in the tank for football later.

With a post-run treat of a cup of tea and a bacon roll, all agreed that the Pomphrey Hill venue and course was wonderful and an excellent yet varied 5k test (although Matt and Gary had clearly been holding something back as both went on mammoth bike rides later!).

Performance of the day

Performance of the day could go to everyone but perhaps Kieran edges it, not only for ensuring that Paul completed the course but also for running alongside “that hat” for 5k!!

Next races

Next up in term of the parkrun tour is Chipping Sodbury parkrun on Saturday 13th Feb (a pretty fast flat course) but before that is the Mud Bath 10k on Sunday 31st Jan (not fast or flat but very muddy!!)

Credits

• Race organised by the wonderful volunteers of Pomphery Hill parkrun
• Run Report by Dave
• Photos By Gary