Mk X

And so, our 2011 Arethusa Mile series is at an end. I think when the 'Brand Wingate' legacy is at an end, that signals the end of the Mile's run, as it were.

Thanks to all who have taken part and volunteered over the past 10 weeks and we may see you back in the spring of 2012.

RESULTS

1. David Rowe 5:21 (PB remains 5:18)
2. Ciaran Murphy 5:41 (PB remains 5:27)
3. Harry Matthews 6:03 (PB remains 5:52)
4. Hayden Matthews 6:09 (PB remains 5:53)

Mk IX

Crikey it's getting dark now. We gathered as usual whilst keeping an eye on the silhouettes of the Beasts of Bushy Park (you know, those rutting animals that have been rampaging around as the Daily Mail put it so unsensationally) as they bellowed repeatedly, egging each other on for a bit of an antler tussle. The dark crept on in, the roads shut, the cars went away our sturdy athletes set off on the Mile.

Ciaran Murphy was perfectly tooled up with a head torch and a workmen's flashlight, so thanks go to him for the illumination this evening!

As for the times, it was seriously windy, but credit to the Magnificent Seven.

P.S. Brand Wingate is still strong and ever present!

RESULTS

1. Ollie Upton 5:22 (PB remains 5:06)
2. Ciaran Murphy 5:40 (PB remains 5:27)
3. John Woods 5:55 (PB remains 5:41)
4. Andy Wingate 6:03 (PB remains 5:49)
5. Harry Matthews 6:19 (PB remains 5:52)
6. Hayden Matthews 6:20 ((PB remains 5:53)
7. David Tyas 6:20 PB

Mk VIII

Today we seemed to jump back in time a couple of months with the weather. It's cliche to go on about it, what with being British and all, but as today was a blue sky scorcher after the mostly drab "summer", it's hard not to mention it. Good weather normally means good turnouts and good times. Today's Bakers Dozen didn't disappoint.

We had a collective of first timers and volunteers in attendance, most notably the King and Queen of Bushy parkrun in Ray and Ann Coward. Ray volunteered on finish position duty and Ann, well I'm not allowed to write what Ann did. We also had the person most responsible for all of us being there taking part too. If anything, he's the Emperor of parkrun, PSH. Without PSH I'd not have taken part in Bushy parkrun, never met the runners that I have befriended over time tonight and wouldn't have met Tom Williams whose podcast Marathon Talk gave me the kick up the bum to start this Mile. So it's his fault we do what we do on a Wednesday evening now. As well as Saturday morning.

As for other news, we no longer have any actual "Ever-presents", but the name Wingate is "Ever-present" as Emma substituted her husband Andy tonight.

RESULTS

1. Ollie Upton 5:06 PB
2. Roy Reeder 5:07 PB
3. Matt Smith 5:09 PB=
4. Shane McDermott 5:26 (PB remains 5:17)
5. Ciaran Murphy 5:27 PB
6. Cristiano Bonato 5:39 (PB remains 5:37)
7. Paul Sinton-Hewitt 5:42 (1st timer)
8. Stewart Rose 5:48 PB
9. David Tyas 6:30 (1st timer)
10. David Worth 7:12 (1st timer)
11. Amy Sullivan 7:48 (1st timer)
12. Sandra Worth 7:57 (1st timer)
13. Emma Wingate 8:34 (PB remains 8:21)

Mk VII

There was a backing track of stag roars at tonight's Mile showdown. Whilst the antlered beasts did battle over the does in the surrounds, our all male field did battle in a less lethal style by trying to show each other a clean pair of heels.
Ideal conditions meant a majority of PB's all set under the mystical ambient lighting from the setting sun and scattered clouds.

Andy Wingate kept up his 100% attendance record, Jo Kilkenny was our Dolly Dealer (but with no oversized playing cards, just a pad and pen instead) and Ciaran Murphy finally got to test his mettle over the course for the first time.

Next week - same place but at the earlier time of 7:00 meet for a 7:05-ish start.

RESULTS

1. Matt Smith 5:09 PB 
2. Shane McDermott 5:31 (PB remains 5:17)
3. Ciaran Murphy 5:35 (1st timer)
4. John Woods 5:41 PB
5. Andy Wingate 5:49 PB
6. Stewart Rose 5:51 (PB remains 5:50)
7. Hayden Matthews 5:53 PB
8. Harry Matthews 5:54 (PB remains 5:52)
9. Ollie Upton 5:17* (PB remains 5:08)

* Late starter (90 seconds after start)

MkVI

Compared to the moody, dark skies of last week it was if we had jumped back in time to the sunnier side of summer this evening. This also heralded perfect running conditions; no wind, dry road and a larger turnout to help people push that extra bit harder.

With the no show of Cristiano Bonato we only have one 'Ever Present' left in the shape of Andy Wingate. Let's see if he can tackle the coming winter weeks with as much verve when it comes to attending.

Thanks must go out to Paul Graham for being grabbed from his run to selflessly pace Emma Wingate round for her first ever Mile, and thanks to Ciaran Murphy for volunteering once again.

Same time (7:15pm for 7:20-ish start), same place next week.

RESULTS

1. Harry McCulloch 4:58 (1st timer)
2. Matt Smith 5:10 PB
3. Shane McDermott 5:17 (1st timer)
4. David Rowe 5:18 PB
5. James Russell 5:37 (PB remains 5:31)
6. John Woods 5:42 PB
7. Harry Matthews 5:52 PB
8. Stewart Rose 5:54 (PB remains 5:50)
9. Andy Wingate 5:55 (PB remains 5:54)
10. Hayden Matthews 5:58 PB
11. Emma Wingate 8:21 (1st timer)
12. Paul Graham 8:21 (1st timer)

MkV

Colder, windier, smaller. Sums it up really.
Thanks to Kirsty for taking down the results, and nice to have Ciaran Murphy and Roger Wilson spectating.

RESULTS

1. Ian Haylock 5:42 (1st timer)
2. Cristiano Bonato 5:48 (PB remains 5:37)
3. John Woods 5:53 (PB remains 5:44)
4. Stewart Rose 5:56 (PB remains 5:50)
5. Andy Wingate 5:59 (PB remains 5:54)

MkIV

Tonight I took part in the mile for the first time - and I enjoyed the experience greatly. Race directing and volunteer duties were passed over to Heather Martingell and Kirsty Bangham, both of whom did a sterling job. Heather will be race director next week in my absence as I help Jo Kilkenny as part of her support crew with David Rowe on her Arch to Arc attempt. We all wished Jo the best of luck this evening.
The mile itself was an all male affair it seems! Come on ladies, we need more of you and all levels are needed/wanted!
Same time and place next week for all that are interested.

RESULTS

1. Anthony Jackson 4:51 (1st timer) *COURSE RECORD*
2. Danny Norman 5:13 (1st timer)
3. Matt Smith 5:14 (PB remains 5:11)
4. David Rowe 5:19 (1st timer)
5. Grant Russell 5:31 PB
6. James Russell 5:31 PB
7. Cristiano Bonato 5:37 PB
8. Clive Cheesman 5:42 PB
9. John Woods 5:44 PB
10. Stewart Rose 5:50 PB
11. Chris Wyatt 5:52 PB
12. Andy Wingate 5:54 PB
13. Harry Matthews 5:54 PB
14. Hayden Matthews 6:05 (PB remains 5:59)
15. Peter Smith 6:21 (1st timer)