The Snowden Field Parkrun course had a smart new look for a wide range of visitors to the Crowland venue on Saturday.
Runners came from as far afield as Beverley, Scarborough, Essex, Ipswich, Roxbourne, Tamworth, Southampton and, incredibly, Australia.
They were greeted by a 5K course bedecked in new signage and fresh equipment. A Parkrun spokesman said “From all of us here on the core team, the hugest thank you to the very kind individuals who donated the funds to make it all possible. It did look good as you went around or when you finally returned into the finish funnel.”
Marking his 100th appearance at the weekly Crowland event, Peterborough & Nene Valley athlete Ryan Anderson celebrated in style, crossing the line first in a personal best time of 18 minutes 20 seconds.
Also completing a century of runs around the Snowden Field route was Darren Barker, who came home 52nd in 29:56.
That makes a total of 16 runners who have completed 100 or more Parkruns at Crowland in its six-year history.
Leading the way is David Anderson, who has racked up 830 kilometres during his 166 runs there, three ahead of Laura Anderson, while Simon Lovell is four short of the 150 mark in third place.
Two other runners are closing in on three-figures, with Matthias Thomas on 99 and Kevin Bunn on 98.
Simon Eldridge was the first Halmer Harrier home, finishing 23rd of 89 runners in 25:33, with Adam Caress on tail-walking duties wrapping up the day in 1:04:04.
Another member of the Spalding-based running group, Isaac Gibbons, clocked a straight 26 minutes at the Boston Parkrun, while Marie Sampson finished the King’s Lynn event 295th of 393 in 34:26.
Three more Halmer Harriers took to the Ben’s Yard Parkrun in Ely. Lisa Gill was the 10th female to finish, 74th in 28:14.
Kathryn Chapman was 169th of the 184 runners, joggers and walkers in 43:39, with Jayne Pell completing the run in 44:12.
