Chris Heggs
“Tommy used to work on the docks, union’s been on strike, he’s down on his luck, it’s tough, so tough”.
For those 1980s soft rock fans, I’m sure it will not surprise you to know that this is the opening line of the 1986 Bon Jovi song, livin’ on a prayer, with its thunderous chorus of “Whoa, we’re half way there, Whoa oh, livin’ on a prayer”.
You can thank me later for the earworm (a catchy tune that will be stuck in your head all day!)
So, what’s this all got to do with the Parkrun challenge I hear you enquire?
The August parkrun gathering saw us reach the halfway point of the inaugural running of the initiative.
We have now visited all 5 of the local courses, from this point on, we return to each one more time before the final standings are shared in January 2024.
This month’s report is a particularly fiddly one for me to write, given that like quite a few others, I was out of the country at the time.
This may explain the rambling introduction and lack of reference to running so far.
However, 36 of Totley’s finest did assemble on what the BBC weather app tells me was a fine morning for running.
The course sweeps around the hidden gem Manor Fields Park, with its infamous heartbreak hill, which doesn’t seem too bad on the first lap, but by the third, it just isn’t funny anymore.
Results wise, we had 6 participants gain personal bests.
Colin White and Matt Burden had an epic encounter, with the two combatants only being separated by an age grade ranking of 1.99%.
Similarly, Scott Blanks continued his recent lucky run with a 1.29% age grade victory over Mark Goodinson.
The top of the leader board at this stage sees Caz Kay, Kylie McAteer and Yvonne Twelvetree clear of the pack in the ladies’ competition, and Matt Burden, Richard Watts and Ian Bates making up the podium places in the men’s.
Still plenty of points to play for and opportunities to get together and celebrate our great club.
For the sixth challenge, we return to where it all began, Millhouses Park on the 9th September, I hope to see you all there.