Tamworth Castle Grounds Parkrun #16 Race Report

Marvels takeover at Tamworth Parkrun No.16. A few times a year we pick a parkrun, assemble the full Marvel squad and takeover the volunteering roles. We're a local running group that appreciate the work that goes into putting on a free timed Saturday morning run so it's nice to do a bit to help. 

It's an early start for the Marvel squad meet up. Important to warm up, push some weights, bit of cardio, yoga and a light breakfast to ensure we're ready to provide the professional level of marshalling expected and indeed demanded by the historically significant scaffolding clad Castle location. Grounds that once were the stage for middle England power battles, that witnessed armour clad warriors fight for their freedoms, that cushioned the feet of Kings and nobility were today, for an hour or so, the arena in which 246 Parkrunners would battle themselves, their anxieties, their insecurities, their niggles, their ailments and their procrastinations before emerging victorious from around the 2 lap 5km course. Like the battalions of the past, but armed with pom poms, bobble hats, signage and vocalzones, we take our positions and steel ourselves for the commitment ahead.

As Lord Tarquin of Tamworth said in 1478 on the eve of the now infamous Battle For The Path Of Roses Of Worshipment In The Shadow O Editha (or BFTPOROWITSOE for short or indeed Battle for Middle Entry as its now known), 

" Be steeled in your entrenchment, resist defeat with your life for here we lay your life down for that those who follow shall forever get baked goods with various meat fillingment from our Middle Entry ".

Enriched and inspired by the pre run briefing 246 of you lined up, 3 of you unknown, 230 adults including 1 ever present Tamworthian and 13 under 17's, took to the start line. Despite Parkrun having a start line from which you all start at the same time and despite the fact your finish position is recorded and despite the fact your finish time is recorded and despite the fact you cross a finish line please, please don't confuse this event with a race. It's not. It's more of an orderly gathering separated by the mesmerising rules of time and space itself. As the countdown to the off reaches its climax the quest for 5km completion on a non race basis begins. 246 of you jostling for pace and space as you simmer down into your flow.

The race that it isn't was won, sorry, I mean the person to achieve the finish in a place that could not be exceeded, was Arian Foroughandeh in a comfortably impressive 18:27 on his first Tamworth appearance. Closely followed in the place that can only be exceeded by one by Loughborough's finest Ben Atkins in a post Seville Marathon leg stretching 18:51 with Uvis Baltins securing the shorter of the spots on the imaginary podium with a suitably swift 19:00.

In a no less impressive 21:09 Ceri Davies topped the times in the female category with Beth Woodward following close behind with a swift 23.16 and Abigail Wilkes on the short spot with 24.22 and a PB.

Not all Tamworth youth are whizzing round on electric bikes in black tracksuits carrying small handbags. At Parkrun Josh Titley was an impressive 5th overall in a rapid 19:51 to lead the youthful charge. Oliver Salt followed in with a swift 23:07 and Theo Cook's 25:10 was particularly impressive based on legs that have yet to reach 10 years of age.

There were 67 of you with your feet up on Saturday evening basking in the glory and magnificence of a Tamuff PB.

Our heroes are not only borne out of rapid. We're not all flying feet, front foot running Seb Coe wannabees (think Laura Muir anyone under 40 years old.). Parkrun heroes include the 52 minute finishers determined to complete, the mate draggers running with a pal that needs extra encouragement on a Saturday morning, the finishers back out on course to support a family member to the finish, the first timers taking the first steps of change and everyone overcoming whatever they overcome to make it through.

The pics are provided by Lucie Brady Photography (look her up on Facebook), a Marvel in her own right who once said of running "I hate running with a passion so ingrained and heartfelt that I will never enjoy running or run further than 5km". Last year she nailed Manchester Half Marathon and this year, at a runclub session, was heard to say "I enjoyed that hill session!"

As marshals it's a privilege to encourage, direct, support and marvel at your awesome. If we drag a smile from your grimace, if we distract you from the agony, if we pop a spring into your step and encourage a turn of pace to the finish funnel then we're content that our job is done.

Steeled in your entrenchment and resisting defeat. 

Until the next time Tamworth. 

Big Thumbs.