BDCB’s inaugural parkrun outing

After Ros and Naomi bumped into each other at parkrun, we thought we would test the water and see if any other bandies also liked a run at 9am on a Saturday morning. Turned out they did!

Parkrun is a global phenomenon, with weekly, timed 5k events taking place all over the world. At 9am on Saturday 13th June we opted to head to Moors Valley Country Park to join the other 659 runners, joggers, walkers and strollers to complete their B course. This had us set off from the totem pole by the Gruffalo statue (IYKYK). Up a sloping gravel path for about a kilometre, then looping back on ourselves down another forest track before a long out and back section. This was great as we got to wave at everyone.

Zach, Naomi’s 6-year-old son, ran with her and had this ‘blog’ to write!

Some parkrun stats

For the stat mad fans (Nick) – here are some numbers from the parkrun peeps. Our lovely 1st flute and Librarian Becca got a shout out as it was her first time doing a parkrun… ever! She was proud as punch and vowed to be back! Whilst Zach couldn’t miss out on a mention, getting a Moors Valley PB.

Katie Clarinet on the course

Nick managed to finish, alongside Sue, and nip back to grab some snaps of people finishing. Naomi, Zach, Rob (with Phoebe in the buggy) and Janet had already slipped past him. James Trombone is a regular at Moors Valley running with Joy his dog.

Katie Clarinet cycled all the way from Blandford to join us. This was a little ride for her, as the next weekend she completed the ‘Chase The Sun’ event in Scotland. She started on the East Coast as the sun rose on the longest day of the year, and then peddled 200 miles to get to the West Coast by sunset! Massive well done Katie!

Ros Flute was just too quick for Nick’s camera skills and disappeared out of photo shot. She was closely followed by Gemma Clarinet, more famously known for her Librarian duties, as she trotted round with hubby and a snoozing baby Sophie in the pram.

Time for food

After all those calories were burnt, a re-fuel was needed.

So to avoid Moors Valley’s extortionate car parking costs, we headed down the road to Hillier’s Garden Centre for brunch in the sunshine. We chatted about parkrun exploits and how we could have been sat on a coach to Bristol and missing all the sunshine!

Watch this space for the next band parkrun outing (and more importantly breakfast)!