The grounds of the Woking Leisure Centre welcomed runners and families this morning with surprisingly warm air and an inviting buzz of excitement. Despite earlier forecasts hinting at unsettled weather, the start of the junior parkrun felt almost balmy. In fact, it was warm enough that Adam had to remove his jacket before taking up his marshal position — a sure sign that the morning held more promise than chill. As the young runners gathered at the start line, there was a vibrant hum of anticipation. The warmth added a gentle comfort to the occasion, allowing everyone to relax into the moment. Laughter floated across the course, trainers shuffled eagerly on the pavement, and the countdown sparked a wave of energy that carried the runners forward in a joyful surge. Adam and Karen stood proudly as marshals, positioned along the route to guide and encourage. With sleeves rolled up and spirits high, they offered enthusiastic cheers and reassuring directions. Their presence was a steady beacon along the course, helping runners navigate each turn with confidence. Every “Well done!” and “Keep going!” seemed to add an extra spring to the young athletes’ steps. At the finish funnel, Ola carried out his barcode scanning role with warmth and efficiency. He greeted each finisher with a bright smile, carefully scanning barcodes and ensuring every achievement was recorded. The finish area buzzed with pride — flushed faces, triumphant grins, and the unmistakable glow of accomplishment. The thrills of the run were evident in the determined sprints, the personal bests, and the powerful final pushes toward the line. Supporters lined the course, clapping rhythmically and celebrating each child’s effort. It was a morning defined by enthusiasm, teamwork, and resilience. Only after the final runner had crossed the finish line did the weather gently shift. A soft drizzle began to fall, almost as if nature had waited respectfully for the race to conclude. The light raindrops added a refreshing close to the event, cooling the warm air and creating a serene atmosphere for the post-run moments. The photo session that followed captured this transition beautifully. Smiling runners and dedicated volunteers posed together as fine droplets shimmered on jackets and hair. The drizzle added character to the photographs — a subtle reminder of the day’s changing skies and the shared experience. Laughter continued despite the rain, and group photos radiated warmth that outshone the grey clouds above. As equipment was packed away and families headed home, there was a collective sense of fulfillment. From the warm, energetic start to the gentle drizzle that closed the morning, the junior parkrun at Woking Leisure Centre was a celebration of community spirit. Thanks to the dedication of volunteers like Adam, Karen, and Ola, it was not just a run — it was a memory made together."

A very wet and even colder morning set the scene for today’s Junior Parkrun. Unsurprisingly, numbers were lower than usual — perhaps helped along by both the weather and the start of half term — but that didn’t dampen the spirit!

Karen and Olalekan were there proudly representing GoodGym, alongside our fantastic team of high-vis heroes. Despite the atrocious conditions, the smiles were plentiful, and we received far more thank-yous than usual from runners and parents alike for braving the elements — which made it all worthwhile.

The younger and slower runners fully embraced the conditions, with puddles proving almost as popular as the finish funnel!

As always, a great time was had by all. Once the last runner crossed the line and everything was packed away, it was a speedy retreat home to warm up and enjoy the rest of a very soggy Sunday

On a lovely Sunday morning, as I turned up to Woking Park, run director and several marshals were already there with a friendly smile. There was a steady in steam of young runners making their way to the bandstand. Anne and Olalekan were there and the welcome briefing was just about to start. Anne was given position 11 to marshal, making sure the enthusiastic parents were aware to keep the pathway clear for the little runners and Olalekan was going to witness the joyful finishers as his position is a scanner, helping the youngsters to register their times. The run director, asked me to fill position 12 on the course, this is where the young runners peel off after completing their two laps, but not before! The run director welcoming the runners and gave the instructions for Junior Parkrun number 337. The warm up crew stepped up and once everyone was warned up, the count down to the start line began. A nice clean start to the run sent the children heading down the path, past all the muddy patches! Everyone joined the path without too much mud and then they can enjoy the solid surface of the path. It wasn't long before the first runner flashed past the finish line in a great time of 7:48. A great time with difficult conditions. And in total, 147 happily cross the finish line to complete a successful JPR. Awesome work from Woking GoodGymers 😁