New Contributor: Jo Hudson

Name: Joanne Hudson
Home parkrun: Banstead Woods, uk
Date of first parkrun: Sept 2011
Total Number of parkruns: 4
Number of other parkrun locations run: 2 (Banstead Woods and Nonsuch Park)
Number of times volunteered: 0

My love of parkrun is probably a lot different to many other parkrunners. I love the feeling of a 'community', and the positivity from all who volunteer and attend. What probably makes me different, is that Parkrun has been one of many contributors in helping me to go from incredibly unfit, very overweight and very very unhappy, to a healthy, slim and very happy woman. I know, it sounds corny, but believe me. I tried running on my own at first and failed. I went to my first Parkrun with a friend and was hooked from then on.
Managing to knock my time down by over 3 minutes feels like a massive achievement, and I honestly don't think I would have done it without Parkrun.
Anyone involved in parkrun deserves a massive pat on the back for making it the unique event it is.
My favourite Parkrun so far has to be Nonsuch. I attended this one on my own, and was greeted by the most friendly volunteer who made me feel very welcome.
One of my new years resolutions is to get my 5k time down to sub 25. I know Pakrun will play a major part in me achieving this.


THANKS PARKRUN. Don't stop doing what you do, or you will have many angry runners chasing you!


Jo

New Contributor: Ruth Mahon

Name: Ruth Mahon
Home Parkrun: Coventry.
Date of first Parkrun: 19 June 2010
Total Number of Parkruns: 59 (as of 7 January 2011)
Number of other Parkrun locations run: 1

Number of times volunteered: 6
My Parkrun history: click here

Here is a very brief overview of my Parkrun journey to date;

A friend told me about the Coventry Parkrun when it first started in February. I looked at the website but decided that getting to the park for a 9am start was not for me! Then another friend mentioned that his wife, Michaela, had signed up and was going to run that Saturday. This spurred me on to signing up and I joined Michaela for our first Parkrun.
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Once I started I found it addictive and have become a regular park runner along with
all those mentioned above and several other work colleagues and friends. After that first run getting up at 8 on a Saturday was no longer a problem.

When I started I spoke only to those people I already knew, however over time I have made many new friends and have recently been inspired to join a local running club. Although I have always done local races, I never used to do the club runs thinking that these were for good runners. Since joining the Parkrun community I have tried to support as many of the club events as I can. I think that the Parkrun has really bought the running community together being supported both by clubs and fun runners alike. Parkrunners do seem to be a very friendly bunch and the support that is given is brilliant.

Ruth.

New Contributor: Paul Slatford

Name: Paul Slatford
Home parkrun: Coventry, UK.
Date of first parkrun: 24 April 2010
Total Number of parkruns: 83 (as of 7 January 2011)
Number of other parkrun locations run: 2 (Brueton park in Solihull and Leamington)
Number of times volunteered: 7
My parkrun history: click here

I first heard about parkrun from a couple of my mates who I play football with. I wasn't sure at first but since I live a 5 min jog from the park I had no excuse not to try it, a decision I have not regretted. Since the summer of 2010 I have done nothing else on a Saturday morning, and why would I want to? The atmosphere is great and I've made many friends among the regulars. Due to parkrun my attitude to running has changed from it being a necessary evil in order to keep fit, to being something I look forward to at the end of the week.