Three. That’s the Magic Number
(Chris Heggs)
Three. That’s the magic number. Yes, it is. It’s the magic number.
That’s how the 1989 classic by De La Soul begins before descending into a break neck paced rambling of who knows what.
Millhouses parkrun is oddly the antithesis to the song, as it begins at a frantic pace where nobody appears to know exactly what is happening, before returning to some sort of order and rhythm at the point where we pass the tennis courts for the first time.
It seemed a pertinent place to begin the report with a reference to the aforementioned tune, as the number 3 refers to the third year of the Totley parkrun Challenge (which unfalteringly is still not a cup).
We began this cycle of 9 events at our spiritual home of Millhouses, with 58 green with a hint of white clad runners and 2 volunteers showing everyone how to do it.
As always, the spirit of the club was in full view, and I know that other park runners will have been impressed by what they witnessed.
Pairing of the round saw amazing performances from both Stephen Stewart and Pat Goodall, both breaking into the elite 80% category, with Stephen pipping Pat to the bonus point by a measly 0.28%.
Particular congratulations to Martin Robbins and Helen Raynes who completed their 100th parkruns too.
23 of Totlies less hardcore runners, many of whom are challenge regulars, decided to forego the mild undulations of Millhouses and instead ‘bottle it’ by completing the 34km (with 825 metres of ascent) Grindleford gallop. We all know that during the last 3 miles you were thinking ‘only a parkrun to go’. Seriously impressive performances all round and well done to the Wall family who somehow managed the complex logistics of the day, with assistance from Tom Hughes, to ensure they had representatives at both events.
Finally, on a personal note, as I crossed the line to register my 296th mediocre meander, the volunteer cheering on the runners in the last few metres, bellowed at me, “first white beard”. I don’t know if that is a complement or an insult, but I’ll take it!
We convene again at Rother Valley Country Park, on the 19th of April. We are using this location to assist members in familiarising themselves with the course ahead of the Rother Valley relays, which take place on Wednesday 21st of May from 6:30.