Helping out at parkrun again

I was planning to run at Henlow Bridge Lakes today, but they were short of volunteers again. Just after I offered to help I got notified that I could get a COVID booster. I had tried to book one online, but the web site was just not working. You would wait in a virtual queue and when you did select a time and location it would give an error. The text I got said it was at the medical centre up the road, but then I got a call to say it was actually in Shefford, which is a short drive away. I thought I might still make it back for parkrun, but I told the run director I might be late.

I was up early to be out at around 7:45. Although I had a booked time of 8:07 there were lots of people there already and I joined a long queue. It did not actually take too long though. I had time to get home and get a lift to near the parkrun meetup point. Just after I cross the railway bridge a steam train came through, but I did not get a photo.

I was stationed on a corner just after the muddy section. A few people had dressed up as it was the last event of the year. We had a Santa marshal and an elf runner.

It is interesting to see all the different runners and how they get on. Some were a lot older than me. These two old guys had shirts for 250 and 500 runs, so one must have done just about every week since it started.

Another guy looked familiar and as he passed he said 'Hi Steve, it's Tom'. I realised it was a guy I used to work with. He did not hang around to chat, but I checked the results and he is based in London where he has done over 100 events plus a lot in other locations.

There were a few runners with dogs, including one with a dachshund who must have clocked up a lot of steps. There was nobody walking all the way this time, so the two tail walkers were a long way behind the field. Usually someone is going to take around an hour, but I crossed the line with them in about 48 minutes after clearing up the cones and arrows.

A group of runners were running back to Biggleswade. That is about 10km, but I think they got the train down earlier.

If you do parkrun I would suggest you volunteer a few times each year. It cannot happen if there are not enough helpers and most of those would like to run too.

I hope to run on Christmas day at the Bedford parkrun. I am sure lots of people will turn out.

I hope all the Hive runners have had a good year. Onwards to 2022!

Run free and stay well.