Photo: Volunteers at Quakers’ Volunteer Takeover at Darlington parkrun (shared by Northern Echo)
It was Quaker-tastic at the 555th running of Darlington parkrun on 15th February, for the latest successful club volunteer takeover. Thank you to everyone who got involved – whether as a volunteer, participant, enthusiastic encourager, baker or cake distributor!
Members also raised over £200 for our chosen charity for this year, 4Louis by encouraging donations in exchange for delicious baked goodies including cakes and scones.
4Louis A UK Charity Supporting Families with Child Loss
parkrun report written by Jo Neesam….
What a fantastic morning at Darlington South Park. That was quite a takeover by the Quakers Running Club and my first as an official Quaker member. The weather didn’t put off the 364 runners and 56 volunteers on this cloudy, cold damp morning.
50 Completed a Personal Best
34 First timers, with 13 that were new to parkrun
MILESTONES:
25 – Phill Goodwin
25 – Charlotte Madley
25 – Laura Flood
50- Garry Smith
100- Ben Moseby
200 – Ian Blessley
150 – Ruth Hawkins
300 – Thomas Gordon
25 Volunteer – Jo Neesam
We all had an amazing morning and everyone was made welcome, free cakes for anyone who donated towards our charity 4 Louis. Thanks to Carys Samuel for printing out the flyers and Lucy Walker for helping out.
All the Quakers were told to group together in front of the park sign for our group photo. Then the First timers gathered around the Clock Tower with Carmelita Coco ready to explain where they would need to run and how it all works.
Rob Gillham was the Run Director who welcomed everyone and explained who the Quakers are, so if you fancy joining, we are a really friendly bunch of people so do come along!
We all made our way to the starting line where I volunteered as a Tail Walker for the first time. 3, 2, 1 and off we went, taking in the 3 laps of the course being cheered on by our lovely volunteers new and old. Why not volunteer yourself it’s a wonderful experience!
It was lovely to see everyone enjoying the morning. There were lots of smiling faces taking in the beauty of our Victorian park and extra support from the wildlife when passing the pond and birdcage. Passing the Band Stand and, at last, the dreaded Squirrel Hill to take on and do it all over again, two more times.
First Male went to Patrick Martin at a time of 16.31. First female went to Juliette Inverdale at 21.36
Well done to everyone that ran, jogged and walked the course. I hope you had a great morning!
And a big shout out to all of the volunteers that helped today go ahead – without you, we wouldn’t have a park run – thank you.
David Aiken, Darren Alderson, Hannah Alderson, James Atkinson, Margaret Blackburn, Patricia Anne Booth, Chris Bowe, Lisa Bowerbank, Rachel Bowes, Ian Burgess, Sharon Carr, Christopher Clark, Helen Clarke, Carmelita Coco, Gill Colling, Danielle Cranney, Rob Dent, Karen Dove, David Ellicott, Marc Ellis, Rob Gillham, Nat Giraud, Linn Gossage, Rachel Grayson, Deborah Hardoon, Alison Hardwick, Viv Hardwick, Rebecca Howard, Dave Jones, Rebecca Jones, Diane Lockhart, Graham Looney, Roy MacDougall, Linda McDermot, Trevor McDermot, Von Meras, Simon Metcalfe, Jo Meynell, Stephen Moore, Dave Murphy, Mel Murray, Jo Neesam, David Porterfeld, Zoe Robinson, Phil Rutter, Carys Samuel, Peter Singleton, Sally Singleton, Stephen Smedley, Amy Storey, Sandie Tenwick, Louise Trainor, Jan Waite, Mark Webster, Mike Whelan and John Yeomans.
Marc Ellis was first Quaker home in 12th place in 19:57, followed by Rob Dent (20:23), Ian Bond (22:48), Dave Jones (23:06), Lou Trainor (23:35), Ian Hart (24:35), Stuart Masterman (24:44), Ian Burgess (25:33), Carmelita Coco (26:23), David Todd (27:04), Lisa Bowerbank (27:30), Julie Bell (28:14), Bryan Dale (28:53), Mark Trowles (29:25), Amy Storey (29:42), Wendy Colling (30:05), Gilly Cowton (30:29), Rebecca Jones (30:41), Tony Smith (31:30), Chris Land (31:53), Malcom Hewitson (33:14), Ruth Hawkins (34:02), Hannah Alderson (34:03), Andy Walker (34:27), Dani Walker (35:56), Michael King (37:07), Mark Colling (36:37), Jo Meynell (53:17), Jan Waite (53:18), Sally Singleton (53:39), Jo Neesam (55:21) and Diane Lockhart (56:04).
Apologies to anyone who doesn’t have Quakers as their nominated club on the parkrun system, and may therefore have been missed off these results – let me know and I will add you!
And that’s that for another Quakers parkrun takeover. Let’s do it all again soon?
Report written by Jo Neesam and Lisa Jenkins
Northern Echo write up:
Quakers Running Club takeover Darlington’s Parkrun | The Northern Echo
Northern Echo video: