parkrun, a poem about running

I don't recall ever posting a poem about running but this one I read in the weekly newsletter from parkrunUK and it seemed to get a clear message over about the experience of running.

Hear it is,a poem by Helen Mort, comments welcome:

Hello David		2 June 2016
welcome to the newsletter In this week’s newsletter the competition is on with Alzheimer’s Research UK, Intersport is offering parkrunners 20% off, Fitbit has tips for overcoming adversity, parkrun is launching in Sweden, we meet a very special volunteer, and Helen Mort shares a parkrun poem. Stopwatch a poem for parkrun The countdown starts in Endcliffe Park. I’m off, I’m racing my old self again, amazed at how she got this far. The first kilometres are Calow rain, my endless loop around the football pitch, aged 12, with stumpy legs and borrowed shoes, each lungful of the sky a stolen wish. My watch holds every second left to lose. The middle section is a downhill chase, freewheeling, trying to catch the present up. I’m staring at her back. I never see her face. She wears a vest the colour of good luck and stays three steps ahead. I catch her breath, the hammer of her heart, but never pass and can’t get close enough to guess how long she’ll carry on, how fast. The last kilometre is every distance that I’m yet to run, the future, sleek in shorts, its knees and elbows driving piston-quick. Chasing tomorrow’s miles, I’m caught - I’m running out of path and trees and time. The finish is a line etched on the ground, the crowd cheer with a voice that could be mine. I finish neck-and-neck with all I’ve found. Helen Mort

Langport Junior Club report to the 2015 AGM

Junior Club Report for the LR 2015 AGM.

The Junior club has had a very good year

We can report that as a result of regular training throughout 2015 coupled to natural ability we have two members who usually win their respective Primary School cross country races , Ella Stadden and Mackenzie O'Dea. Older runners have done well in County cross county events including Charlotte Fogwill, Ellie Romans and Connie Little. Some representing the County at the recent SW regional championship including Holly Bigger and Innes Davidson

The free to enter, monthly Run for Fun , 2k,1k and even 400m events on North Moor have continued through 2015 into 2016 and despite the recent bad weather continue to attract between 20 to 30, 4 to 14 year olds from all of our local schools.

Older Juniors regularly run in the Yeovil Montacute 5k parkrun, the Street 5k and Yeovilton 5k road races and our own Club 10k monthly medal series.

11 awards have been made for 2015.

The criteria for making the awards are:

A review of the whole of 2015 and encouragement for further development in 2016.

Attendance at the Clubs training sessions, summer and winter and disciplined behaviour whilst street running round Langport.

Enthusiastic, competitive and positive attitude to training and supportive attitude to other members.

Attendance at our  monthly Fun Runs and certificates awarded.

Where appropriate, performance in local running events like Yeovilton and Street 5k and parkrun events.

Performance in School running events including County competitions.



Selected for an award were:


Holly Bigger


Connie Little

Ellie Romans


Mackenzie O’Dea


Charlotte Fogwill
, also winning the 10k Junior Monthly Medal award.

Ella Stadden


Georgina Fogwill


Charlie O’Dea


Theo Pagett Wilks


Nathan Fogwill

In conclusion I thank Pete Jones as our Senior Coach for his continued commitment over the year, Julian Cramp for joining our Junior coaching team, many Club Members and parents who give vital help during our training sessions. 2016 promises to be even better with a number of keen youngsters joining us recently.

Run for Fun 7th February

'RUN FOR FUN' Sunday 7^th February Langport's own monthly running event for Juniors

FREE for all children 4 - 14 years. Starts on the moor by Tesco Metro, Langport. 10.00am. Parking at the store. Registration from 9.30am please

Choice of distance ! 2km, 1km or 400m and all runners are timed . First timers welcome and children who have never taken part in a fun run before.

Published results for you to check your own progress from month to month.

Train for your school cross country events. Get in your school team

Parents are welcome to run or walk with the younger children.

Come along to enjoy this relaxed but challenging fun activity.

Please turn up early, register and run

More information from David German via this web site.

Langport Runners Juniors

Street 5k road race. Junior results

Its great to report good running news. Last week at the Street 5k road race our Juniors recorded a remarkable result. 
Holly Bigger was first Junior female in 21.01 sec,
Charlotte Fogwill was second in 22.53, 
third was Connie Little in 22.59
and fourth was Ellie Romans in 24.03. 


It's a pity they don't have a Team award, they all deserve to be recognised as a great quartet!

I must get a team photo.

Here is a link to the official results:

http://www.wellscityharriers.org.uk/Joomla/images/stories/wch/Fixtures/2016/2016/Street_5k_Jan_2016.pdf