Woking junior parkrun #315 – Sunday 3rd August 2025

What a glorious morning it was for Woking junior parkrun this Sunday! The sun was shining, the skies were clear, and the park was buzzing with energy and excitement as our young runners gathered for event number 315.

We had some fantastic performances on the course this week. Huge congratulations to Marilyn, our first female finisher, who crossed the line in an impressive 7:26, and to Oliver, the first male finisher, coming in close behind at 7:48. Brilliant running from both!

Of course, none of this would be possible without our amazing volunteers – all 33 of them this week! A special shout-out goes to the fantastic team from GoodGym, who came out in force to support the event.

James and Melanie kept spirits high on the course as marshals

Adam was on barcode scanning duties with a smile

Katie and Phil took charge of timekeeping, making sure every finish time was recorded perfectly

A big thank you to all our volunteers – whether you're clapping, cheering, timing, scanning or tail walking, you make this event the highlight of the week for so many young runners.

See you next Sunday for more fun, fitness and community

After the success of our mission on Sunday with WEAct, Julie organised another GoodGym task along the Hoe Valley. Alys (and her little dog Quinn), Julie, Kirsty, Anne and Wayne, sorry, Adam ran to meet Richard in Mayford.

Richard is well known to GoodGym Woking as we often go and help him set up the railway tracks for the monthly “All Aboard Club” sessions which he runs for SEN children. This time it was Richard’s first GG mission without his “All Aboard” cap. We were all delighted when he let us use all the gardening tools he had brought with him!

Julie and Anne realised that the WEAct team had cleared all the Himalayan balsam in the areas we had planned to work on. But after a few metres of running, we found more to deal with.

Firstly, Julie asked for volunteers to cut back one of the bushes which encroached the path, allowing better access for walkers and runners. Richard and Wayne, oops, Adam did so diligently.

Armed with a long handle tool, Kirsty opened the path. Kirsty had warned everyone to cover their arms and legs to avoid being stung by nettles. Guess who forgot that covering your ankles was just as important? (no other comments). Poor Wayne, sorry again, Adam might not have read Kirsty’s messages. But this did not stop him tackling the nettles with enthusiasm. I wonder how his limbs are feeling this morning.

We pulled out a large patch of the invasive Himalayan balsam while discovering more as we worked up the path. We will return before the plants produce their seeds to try and limit their invasion. Julie will keep the WEAct team of our task.

The group ran back to our meeting point, fighting mosquitoes and calling Alys’s dog “This way”, which he is responding well to, every time he was taking another route.

Adam, we know your name really and apologise for calling you Wayne all evening!

Will you be joining us this coming Sunday to help Woking junior parkrun?

Happy running to you all.

Junior Park Run

On this sunny morning 4 Goodgymer's gave up their time to carry out various volunteering roles at the junior park run.

Wayne & Melanie were marshals out on the course cheering and supporting the runners around the 2k course. James as well as being a marshal also made sure the course was safe to run around before the run began. Adam was one of the official timekeepers.

It was also Adam 400th good deed, what an amazing milestone achievement 🎉

It was great seeing Adam who has recently started running again after injury 😊

In total this morning there were 130 runners with the fastest time being an impressive 06:30. There were also 36 PB's fantastic running by everyone. 👍