This morning 6 goodgymers met at Woking Park to volunteer for another weekend at Jr Parkrun.

Contrary to the clocks going an hour forward to British Summer Time, the weather was dreary, but that didn't stop us and the other 20 volunteers that showed up!

Adam volunteered to do the first timer briefing as we had a few new faces. Alongside being the run director, James handed out milestone wrist bands to two children, who, at 6, have more running experience than me..

Myself, Anne and Rich marshaled around the park, cheering the children to the finish line where Victoria handed out the finish tokens.

Despite the weather, we had 7 children accomplish personal bests with the fastest boy finishing in 7.44 and the fastest girl at 8.58!

Participating in this task always puts a smile on my face as the genuine enthusiasm from the children at 9 am on a Sunday morning reminds me why we do what we do!

Don't forget there is no junior parkrun next week as there is another event in the park, but we will be back the week after!

Woking junior parkrun 205 on a sunny Sunday morning.

106 children took part in the Woking junior parkrun 205 and 5 GoodGymers: Anne, Eddie, Lauren, Richard and Victoria made their way to Woking Park to help this week’s run director: our very own James.

While warming up one of the young runners fell and grazed his knee. Anne distracted him while his Mum used her first aid skills to clean up the wound. All ended well and the little boy enthusiastically completed the 2 kms. He did not get a PB (because of his injury) but there is always the next time...

6 children were given a milestone wristband for their brilliant distance achievements. It is quite impressive to realise that little boys/girls not 10 yet have run more parkrun than some of us!

It felt like spring and the children seemed to fly past the marshals. 21 got a PB!

James, now better his injury, had run 11 kms with Rich A before preparing the course with Rich and Victoria Davis. Anne had managed 5 kms. Lauren, our session photographer, is training for the Brighton 10 Kms with her friend Tanya who volunteered today too. Eddie ran after helping this 205th session.

This Wednesday we will meet at 6pm at the Run Company to go plogging with them. We hope to see you there as the saying goes: the more, the merrier!

Have a great running week.

’Twas the last junior parkrun before Christmas, when all through Woking park

33 runners were ready to go for the morning’s lark,

Some were sporting festive hats, It was clear their parents had put them in that.


The children were at the start line ready to run;

Looking forward to today’s fun. A group of volunteers including Eddie, Rich, Victoria, Alys, James and Anne all in high vis; Really did look quite the biz.

Out on the grass, Terry-Anne shouted ‘go!’; And they sprang from the start line with a mighty heave-ho,

Away like a flash; parkrunners and parkwalkers made a Santa like dash.

It was a rather overcast and chilly Sunday junior parkrun morning at Woking park.

There always seems to be a smaller turnout this time of year - perhaps due to the fact that it’s December, perhaps due to seasonal sniffles going around keeping people under the blankets at home.

52 kids still turned out for today’s parkrun and spirits were high, there were even a couple of Santa hats spotted on the course.

Four of the 32 volunteers were representing Woking Goodgym: Adam, Rich, Victoria and myself. Victoria, Adam and I all marshaled at various points around the course, whilst Rich had the role of timekeeper.

A stalk on Strava revealed that Adam and non-Goodgym Rich had completed an 8 mile run before arriving for their volunteer shift.

The run briefing revealed that Goodgym Rich and non-GoodGym Rich had both reached their 100 volunteer milestone - what an achievement!

Junior parkrun is back next week, shortly followed by the Woking & Sam Beare Hospice Festive Fun Run which we spread the word about on Wednesday’s group run.

Heavy rain overnight and early morning meant conditions were likely to be wet but a little Junior Parkrun magic came along at just the right time and the skies were blue and sunny in time for our 65 young athletes to run the 2km course in Woking Park.

I met up with Rich, Phil, Ben and Rebekah for an early long run which finished in the park in time for us to run 1 lap as the course check. There were a few puddles but no serious hazards and we deemed the course safe for the children.

Adam walked to the park as he was sore from a s&c session yesterday. He kindly brought me a coffee which was much welcomed.

He also reprised what is becoming his regular role doing the First Timers Welcome. He was certainly needed as there were 6 first timers to welcome today.

Katie and Phil ran from Knaphill to marshal the course and keep the children safe while encouraging them along. Couples that parkrun together stay together.

James, Rich, Victoria and Other Rich were also marshals on course today. I was pleased with my spot as I was able to stand in the sunshine 🌞 the whole time.

The children did really well and there were 17 personal bests recorded.

Once tokens were sorted and everything packed away for next week, I headed into town with Adam and Rich for breakfast.

This Wednesday coming we will be laying woodchip in the wooded section of the park for the 5k runners. Do join us if you can as the course really needs it.

This morning James and Adam met early in the morning, along with Rich from No Sweat Running Community and also Rebekah from Woking AC and did a 10 mile easy pace run prior to arriving in the park to do the setup for Junior Parkrun.

Easy pace running is subjective of course, and I for one found it a little hard after yesterday's XC Surrey League race.

On arrival, Rich did the course check, while me and Adam started setting up the course. Rich joined in after a few mins.

As Run Director this week, I was pleased to see that everyone turned up to help including GoodGym regulars Rich and Victoria with their son Gabriel. Victoria also brought in extra reinforcement by way of her father visiting all the way from Canada. The Davis family really are a great asset to GoodGym and Parkrun.

This morning 80 children turned up to run and hop the course. It is a little too soon to talk about Easter with Christmas still to come, but the children were not the only ones hopping around this morning. Just prior to the start, one of the Mums came to tell me that there was a domestic rabbit hopping around in the ladies toilets.

Jenny and her daughters went to verify the story and make sure everything was okay, and there was indeed a rabbit in the toilet block! 🐇.

With regards the run, lots of fun was had by all, with no incidents, and one of the other Mums took the rabbit to a vets on their way home afterwards.

Huge thanks to all the volunteers, and see you next week.