Starting a busy weekend of volunteering for the Worthing Team - volunteering at parkrun today as a precursor to a long day supporting Runfest tomorrow.

Worthing GoodGym kicked off the new year in style by supporting our parkrun friends in putting on the bonus New Years Day parkrun. This is parkrun’s 20th year - I’m sure we’ll be involved in various of their events through 2024.

We started, and we finished

As usual GoodGym provided support from start to finish. John took charge of setup, taking particular care to ensure that the funnel was set in favour of the number checker - he didn’t want the number checker to have to move further than absolutely necessary.

Belinda took the “brief” out of the briefing with an unusually long winded and rambling tale entitled “The history of all what I have done at parkrun”. It was all in a good cause - to celebrate the 100th volunteering of someone instrumental in the setting up of Worthing parkrun. The importance of these early drivers of the events can easily be forgotten as they become established.

Sue’s role was much more than a token gesture. The delivery of those finish tokens plays such an important role, especially on busy days like today when keeping the runners moving through the funnel is so important.

The rest of the GoodGym gang dived in to help with the clear down after running. It was important that we achieved this as efficiently as possible - speed was of the essence to enable the defibrillator provider to stand down. (Big thanks to South Downs Leisure - a great supporter of both GoodGym and parkrun locally).

Sarah began her good deed year in her own particular style - accessory holding whilst Craig completed the “dismantling the flag” task. Ryan and Ricky headed off to gather in the tape that feeds runners towards the finish line - well, that’s what the runners are told. It’s really a short cut prevention method.

More reliable than Accuweather

Ricky seemed particularly delighted to see Sarah! “Why?” He was asked. “Because it’s obvious it won’t rain then…….” And well done on your PB Ricky!

Holding out for a hero

As Run Director Belinda oversaw the processing of the results - some dodging, dropping and ducking created a few challenges. The number checker was declared hero of the day for their immaculately recorded information enabling correct times to be issued.

How many?

With our support a whopping 465 runners achieved their fastest time of the year.

But we saw no blooming sun!

John and Belinda headed out for the monthly GoodGym promoting parkrun volunteering. It seemed a perfect time to promote GoodGym to the runners, many of whom would likely be adding to their Run up to Christmas miles - a virtual event by Run Things which raises funds for GoodGym.

To be truthful it wasn’t so much “headed out” as heads down as we strode into the headwind, then sidewind. And the rain, oh the rain………

Set out with the best of intention

As usual, John was on setup duty. First task was to decide on placement of the finish funnel. It was unanimously agreed that the likelihood of any “general public” being out and about was slim, so a funnel on the path it was to be. After very careful measuring (or maybe ‘by sight guessing’) the finish point was set, and cones laid out.

No need to check it twice!

Meanwhile the safety check for the course was underway. The timely return of this essential volunteer brought proceedings, not so much to an abrupt halt, more to a considered pause. Apparently, apart from the promenade being wind and rain lashed, he reported a serious possibility of beach huts on the move. Following a brief Run Director huddle, Belinda was on social media declaring the cancellation decision. Even Santa had abandoned his sleigh.

What goes up, must, well, you know!

Setting the Worthing parkrun record (the only parkrun record John is likely to hold) for the time between set up and take down, the finish line disappeared and we headed to the start area to ensure anyone who had missed the message pinging on their phone was made aware of the decision.

With the prospect of a flying beach hut landing on a runner leaving nothing but a pair of ruby red running shoes visible, and our irregular GoodGymer Sarah’s fear of melting in the rain, it felt like the wind had deposited us in the land of Oz. I bet the weather would be better there though!

There’s something fishy going on

The runners who turned up at the start were pretty understanding of the decision, though some still ventured out on the course, daring the beach huts to interfere with their planned morning exercise. We watched several of them finish wet and bedraggled, though no doubt feeling rather triumphant, from the warmth and comfort of Splashpoint cafe. I’m pretty certain that fewer finished than set off….

Social media feedback declared dogfish on the prom, and someone declared himself all set to go having donned his swimming costume.

Just and proper

It seemed rather fitting that having started his GoodGym journey on the way home from a ‘refreshment’ stop, with a sweeping brush thrust into his hand by Julia, John’s 250th good deed should centre around a parkrun not actually happening!

Five Goodgymers went along to Worthing parkrun this morning to volunteer, promoting parkrun's ambition to create a happier & healthier planet and GoodGym's contribution to that too!

John was on set up duty, Belinda took responsibility for co-ordinating the volunteers, Sue marshalled out on the promenade and Sarah & Ryan helped with post event close meaning by 10.15 there was no sign parkrun had even been there!

Special mention also to Barbara who had planned to be volunteering as a marshal but wasn't feeling too well today - get well soon Barbara! A mention also to honorary Goodgymer Paul's John who was barcode scanning today whilst Paul ran. Looking forwarded to celebrating your 100 running milestones at next week's parkrun.

It proved to be an unforgettable event, beautiful sunny & calm conditions meant 90 of the 545 participants got a new PB, most notably the first male finisher who also got a new course record of 14:42 for the 5k run. This runner previously held the course record jointly with Olympian Jake Wightman but today he edged ahead by a second!

Today Worthing GoodGym braved the wind and rain to provide support to Worthing parkrun. Our usual efforts to also promote GoodGym were slightly hampered by the need to wrap up warm and keep dry. Someone needs to remind the weather maker what month it is!

We'd like to know a little bit about you for our files

From start to finish, and at most points in between, GoodGym was well represented. John led on set up, Sue marshalled at one of the many pinch points on the course, Julia made sure no one went too far directing traffic at the turn around, Barbara made sure no one missed the final turn cheering them as they headed down the finishing straight. John stepped in to the suddenly vacant Tail Walker role. Belinda kept time, recording everyone as they passed the finish line.

GoodGym were also well represented out on the course with Paul and Natacha braving the elements. Gill was also there to see the runners off.

*Here’s to you Mrs Robinson *

Today was a very special occasion, one we were all there to help celebrate. Today was Belinda’s 250th time volunteering at parkrun - her 200th time at Worthing. An amazing achievement. That equates to almost five years of weekly volunteering. Kudos! It also, coincidentally happens to be her parkrun anniversary. Coincidence, or well planned! I’ll let you decide. Let’s raise a glass, and sing together “Here’s to you….”

It’s not every day that parkrun falls on the day of The Kings Coronation. In fact, it’s one of those rare times when you can genuinely enjoy a “once in a lifetime” moment. So, what would any GoodGymer do on such a day. They’d get out and support their local parkrun - and that’s just what we did!

It rained on our parade

Despite a more promising forecast the rain reigned. From the time John set up the finish funnel, to tailwalker Sue the rain persisted. Belinda, ably assisted by the parkrun mascot, and longtime friend of GoodGym, Gulliver, carried out the challenging task of accurate timekeeping in the rain.

The truth outed

GoodGym was also well represented on the rainy run. Paul, Craig and John covered the distance. And, believe it or not, for those of you who have managed to read this far, the truth is that Sarah can safely come out in the rain……..