Times tumble at the parkrun as the weather improves

Despite the sticky conditions underfoot, 46 participants still managed to post a new personal best.

The biggest improver on the day was teenager Gemma Taylor, who has reduced her best time by more than 10 minutes to48:39.

Tanya Woodbridge was almost four minutes faster in 36:01, while Trish Owen (38:02) and Karen Julien (36:00) and both made big strides.

Judie Flitton (36:18) slashed two minutes off her previous mark and Modupe Oshikoya was 90 seconds faster in 37:09. Erin Thomas was two minutes quicker in 35:47.

Douglas and Eddie Cook both broke the magical 30-minute barrier for the first time, crossing the line together in 29:51, as did Carolyn Douglas who posted 29:16. Fiona Cook recorded her fifth personal best in a row with 29:38.

Lewis Freeman (28:34), Liam Ohara (28:14) and Wayne Tyas (28:07) all recorded impressive new best times amongst the men’s field. In the boy’s division, Duncan Douglass (25:47), Benjamin Williamson (24:19) and Leo Sheldrick (22:59) all recorded their fastest ever performances.

Further up the field, Anna Larkins was the fastest lady and fifth overall in a course-best of 22:18, ahead of junior Zara Brooks in 24:26 and first-timer Melanie Wright in 25:19.

Glen Turner led the field overall in 18:33, followed by Paul Andrew in 21:11 and debutant Steve Sharples in 21:18.