Torrential rain had turned to sleet by lap two and marshalls were warning everyone to slow down on the corners. The narrow and rutted Glyme Lane, linking the two halves of the course was deep puddles and everywhere churned to mud.
Despite the weather there were 149 finishers, most being tourists from elsewhere with just a handful of people for whom it was their first parkrun - who could blame the rest for staying at home in the conditions.
Not the greatest course in my view as there's too much running round the football field and not enough interesting bits to make it one I'd want to keep going back to - though in spring and summer the small woodland loop will be lovely. But that's not the point of Parkrun - the point is to get people out in the fresh air, taking exercise and talking to each other. On the latter it will be successful if the conversations at the first event were anything to go by.
Treated myself to some new sealskinz winter gloves this week. They were certainly tested by the weather today. As I expected in torrential rain the water gets through the seams if you're out long enough. They are still warm but extremely difficult to put back on again once you've fished your bar code out of your pocket.
*NENDY - nearest event not done yet
