31 July to 4 August 2025 - Some Runs, a Park and The Night Owls

The fourth and final Sale Sizzler 5km race of the season took place on 31 July, with a splendid turnout of 605 runners. With a 'good for me' time of 29:53, I came home in position 592. Sue was six minutes ahead and ready with a cup of water for me at the finish. Results may be found here.

Saturday morning found us at Wythenshawe parkrun number 628. This was Run Director Jenn's 500th parkrun. Here we are, lined up at the start.

Rather surprisingly, I managed 29:48, quicker than on the Sizzler course, in position 245 out of 421 finishers. Full results are here. What a contrast between these two events!

The usual suspects - me, Sue, Paul, Jeanette, Andy, Owen and Jenny were joined by Keith and Carol from Crosby on their 39th wedding anniversary, and non runners Nick and Daniella from Nuremberg. Nick is an old university pal of mine and is mentioned elsewhere on these pages in the context of Via Ferrata escapades, and my first Alpine backpacking trip to the Lechtal Alps in 1980.

Sunday's Wythenshawe Community run was the last in a trio of 5km runs for me, and I was fairly tired after getting around the same course as the Sizzler in 33:33. Why do you feel more tired after a slower run?

Anyway, Monday's 5km was at a leisurely walking pace, on a nice route from home that incorporates De Quincey Park, looking as green as is possible in midsummer.

Later, the hotpot supper evening at Eagley Jazz Club was enlivened by good food (delicious cheesecake) and a great performance by Salford's jazz band, The Night Owls.

Saro, Sangeerththa and Sophie were all in good form, as well as Reg.

Superb...