If you had told any of us runners 18 months ago, how one Saturday we will be super excited to go to parkrun to see each other and run 5k, you may have been a little unsure why this week was so special!

But it really is!

We are on track for return of parkrun on July 24th and this brings a new route for Poole! The new route allows for a much wider, larger start area. It also reduces the mass gathering around and in the pavilion area. The new route does however include a steep right turn at one point, which many speedy runners may have to adjust to. But it's still flat, free and lovely park to run around.

We all met rather nervously where others were grouped for this trial run. Great to see the red T-shirts of Goodgym standing out from the crowd! The core parkrun team, led by Mike and his crew had arranged this meet up to test the new route with a larger group of runner's including timers, marshal's, posts and even a lead bike!

What we had all forgotten was how fast you can run at a flat parkrun! Nothing can compare to the opportunity to run with others, whether listening to the chatter, joining in, running off a hangover or wanting to feel the lungs burn!

The start was so wide, we were all off and feeling the wind in our faces felt so fresh and good!

Calum I am so sorry we did not give you a proper hello! The excitement of parkrun meant we missed seeing you down to join us!

The results are listed in the pics, but in all honesty, this was about being part of the parkrun return so whether you loved to see your mate, (Ali), enjoyed a PB (Robert), showed us how fast you easily can run (Tracy), completed a cool sub 22 min run pre a long run that afternoon (Aaron) or brought the sweets for after (Elizabeth), we all loved it!

Bring on the official return in 2 weeks!