Parkrun Alphabet Challenge the finishers log
One week on from our trip to Holland to collect the letter Z and I’m a free agent when it comes to choice of PR venue. And that decision was made easier by my triathlon club Thames Valley Triathletes (TVT) nominating Reading PR on 15th July as it’s venue and date for a 5km club championship.
The scheduling worked out great and despite the need for a course inspection following unseasonably wet and windy conditions all went ahead as planned.
Out of a field of 267, I finished in position 50 in 23 and a half minutes, second in age group. In terms of TVT club champs I came fifth — so just outside the medals. Star of the show was the thirteen year old son running with his TVT Dad Peter. Caleb finished in position 13 in sub 20 minutes — there’s a future running talent there!
Next weekend is the venue’s 600th edition, so I suspect they will need some extra volunteer help — note to self to sign up as a marshal.
And now to the main purpose of this article — which will be the final entry to my blog — to share some feedback on completion of the challenge and the fundraising outcome.
I’m really pleased to say that so far I have 50 donations to my BHF Just Giving page and the breakdown of who has supported is really interesting:
a) Friends and family — 24 donations
b) TVT triathlon club — 16 donations
c) Parkrun participants — 7 donations
d) Work related — 3 donations
Thank you to everybody, in particular to those virtual connections who have been inspired by the blog. Compared to previous fundraising activities I have done, there is now an unintended consequence of the post COVID working from home culture that has reduced the proportion of work related donations. I’ll remember that for next time when I’m fundraising.
And now a quote from my family:
“Well done Paul. You have successfully completed the parkrun challenge. You have been supported all the way by your family and friends. Some running alongside you, others there to cheer you on.
You have raised over £2,000 for the British Heart Foundation. Ken would have been very proud of you. Thank you. Rosemary, Louise and Sara”.
What a great way to sign-off.
And to conclude, here’s a link to each of the letters (mainly for my own future reference given this is a digital record of everything achieved). I’ve had a blast and been truly inspired by the parkrun community. Long may it continue to thrive.
B: Bracknell
G: Guildford
J: Jersey Farm
K: Kingston
L: Lydiard
M: Maidenhead
N: Newbury
O: Osterley
R: Reading
U: Upton Court
W: Woodley
Y: York
Z: Zuiderpark
