by Mary Blake: Run Director
Who needs fireworks?
Our 4th of July #notaparkrun was better than any fireworks in my opinion, because we had a record number of runners participate. 46, yes 46!!, runners came out to celebrate the 4th of July the way it was meant to be celebrated. With a free virtual 5K! So many of you got into the spirit of things and gave us some great “red, white & blue” photos! Our participants came from all over the world, including the UK (Melton Mowbray, Livonia, Dishley & Long Eaton), South Africa, California, Tucson & Rock Creek Trail parkrun in Portland.
PBs
We had 11 PBs, which is an incredible number. Well done to Mike Williams, Shawn Pearce, Nina Tang, Ryan Ashley, Simon Faber, Lee Nathan, Zoe Muggeson Heath, Wendy Grinols-Sweeney, Lynn Persse, Katie Metteer & Lynzee Hoegger on your PBs. A fantastic achievement for each and every one of you!
First timers
We would love to extend a warm welcome to our 6 first timers. We are so glad that you joined us Zach Fung, Joy Chan, Nick Shiach, Bushra Bajwa, Vivian Shiach & Lucas Smith! We hope to see more of you all at #notaparkrun, and eventually at parkrun!
Fastest runners
Congratulations to our 3 fastest males. Coming in at an amazingly fast 18 minutes flat, was first timer Zach Fung. Hot on Zach’s heels was Dan Metteer with an impressive 19:17. Next came Max Jensen absolutely crushing it with a 20:32. Well done guys!
Congratulations to our 3 fastest females. Joanna Davis absolutely killed it with a time of 23:35. First timer Joy Chan started her #notaparkrun career with a super impressive 24:29. Our 3rd fastest female was parkrun volunteer regular, Nina Tang, with a very respectable 26:28, which was also a PB – Go Nina!
Die-hards
Highly deserving of a mention are our runners who have participated in 11 for 11! Joanna Davis, Michael Shiach, Zoe Muggeson Heath, Lynn Persse, Dean Faber, Bill Schawbenland & Zena Hoegger – thank you all for participating each and every week and being a huge factor in #notaparkrun’s success!
4th of July festive wear
Since a bunch of you made such fun efforts to be patriotic, I think you all deserve a mention!
Zena, thank you so much for donning the fun patriotic bobble hairbands. It has to be done and you make them look HOT!
I think it’s only fair to pick a winner for the best “red, white & blue” outfit. Zach & Joy, you guys pulled off athletic and patriotic together so beautifully!
Zoe, you just can’t beat those leggings! I want them!! No seriously, where did you get them? LOL.
Joanna, your picture of the red, white & blue flowers was so sweet and creative!
Fairies Abby & Wendy, your patriotic wings were so pretty and awesome!
Fred & Louise, that hat, the hairband and the decorated doggy stroller were so fun and your photo had me smiling all day!
Nina, your red (loved the mask!), white and blue outfit together with “happy 4th message” were just perfect!
Allison, I absolutely loved the USA tank – you made wearing patriotic clothes cool!
Helen & Bill, those star-spangled sneakers rock, and I am going to try and source a pair!
Thank you to everyone who sent us photos of your fun patriotic clothing, patriotic flowers, sweaty selfies (you can’t beat them!) and even a decorated doggy stroller!
See you next week
We hope to see you all again next week! Tell your friends about #notaparkrun and help our record number grow next week! Remember to run responsibly and safely, following the governor’s rules!
Yours in stride,
Mary Blake