Running out of time

On a beautiful sunny morning in West London a fourmidable bunch of Goodgymers made their way to Osterley Park, to help out with Junior Parkrun.

As the warm up got underway and Sevan, Kash and Alan made their way to their positions along the course. Word started to spread that the event might be starting on time today. One of the regular volunteers, mid conversation with Sevan, spotted someone running and thought the run had started early so legged it to their position.

He needn't have worried as when the clock struck 9:00am the warm up completed and with the run director keen to get started several small pairs of feet were still casually making their way round the pond from the car park. Casual strides turned into tiny sprints once they realised the run was about to start.

34 children completed the course. With lots of great running on show. High fives were given, received and declined. Sevan’s palm left hanging by one runner who shouted over their shoulder that they didn't have time for that, no doubt chasing down a PB.

We witnessed the trials and tribulations of 2000km through the eyes of the very smallest participants. Those who joined in with parents and siblings but weren’t quite old enough to be given an official time, and who were mostly interested in climbing on shoulders, into buggies or in the case of one child in a tutu, wandering off to stare at a tree. And why not - you do you!

This being a fun free weekly event noone has to finish if they don't want to and today some opted to sunbathe or leave it to the older runners.

As usual the run was done and dusted by 9:30. We got a quick photo before heading our separate ways; two of us to the cafe and two onto the next mission. No prizes for guessing which of us headed for coffee and cake!