Saturday 8 June 2019 – Wythenshawe parkrun Number 394 Reaches the Moon

On Friday, Run Director Andy advertised Wythenshawe parkrun as follows:

“One runner tomorrow will cover the final 5k to take us to the moon. Will you be the lucky recipient of this specially crafted finish token? There will be cheese (and rain).”

 

Andy’s prediction of ‘rain’ seems to have put people off, despite the offer of a prize. So only 263 people participated. One of the stalwarts was seen to hang back in the hope that he could bring home the bacon (cheese) (brie).

The result is evident from the top picture that shows that stalwart runner receiving his award, described later by Andy as follows:

“Rocket man Paul Barber finished in #210 and achieved the moon landing. This is particularly poignant as Paul was there for lift off at our first ever event back in August 2011. Enjoy your cheese Paul! Next stop Mars!”

Today’s run took Wythenshawe’s total ‘mileage’ to 384,665 km, which apparently secures a moon landing for Paul and the 53 folk who finished behind him. The rest of us must have nearly made it, but remain in limbo, a bit like Wythenshawe Hall. 

There was little sign of any security today, so bikes were leant against the fence in the rain, whilst Oliver looked on, stridently bemused as ever.

Andy’s magic wand produced a break in the rain of about 40 minutes, just enough time for his pre run briefing.

Luckily it stayed dry for the run, which I did in a similar time to last week’s effort at Stafford – I slowed for a while to encourage a youngster who eventually stopped for a rest rather than collapse. Sensible lad, he still got a personal best time.

Meanwhile, Sue jogged round about three minutes slower than last week – here she is at the finish.

 

True to his word, Andy provided cheese from his moon mine, and oranges from his orchard in sunny Sale. There was also cake, and miraculously the gazebo didn’t blow away.

We hadn’t been to this parkrun for a while, so despite finishing the run before 9.30, it was after 11 am when we finally dragged ourselves away from a sociable morning in the café.

Full results are here.