Middlesbrough 5k Parkrun
We were in the middle of our holiday and felt the pull of the Middlesbrough 5k Parkrun. This was recommended to us by the organisers of the Eastleigh Parkrun and they said it was fast and flat, so off we went bright and early to give it a go.
The weather was not looking too great as we drove through many showers and just as we got out of the car to get to the race meeting point the heavens opened and all three of us got absolutely soaked. After drying off a little in the park information centre we prepared ourselves, the weather turned and the sun came out. This with no wind made for excellent running conditions.
Ann ran a PB in a time of 26:31, knocking 32 seconds off her previous time and Tommy also ran a PB of 31:26 knocking an amazing 5:29 off his previous best. Both Ann and Tommy were really pleased and I enjoyed running with Tommy who really impressed me with his determination, although I am a bit sore he out-sprinted me at the end to finish 2 seconds and 2 places in front of me.
The first male was Tom Danby in 16:28 and the first female was Sue Carpenter in 20:45.
The run was very well organised and the marshals very friendly and welcoming to new faces. Anybody who happens to be anywhere near a parkrun on a Saturday morning should give it a go. John Blake.