Lee-on-the-Solent parkrun hosts fantastic celebration

By The Newsroom
Published 5th Jul 2016, 07:30 BST
Updated 25th Aug 2016, 16:53 BST
Lee-on-the-Solent celebrated with a cracking first anniversary run. Picture: Malcolm WellsLee-on-the-Solent celebrated with a cracking first anniversary run. Picture: Malcolm Wells
Lee-on-the-Solent celebrated with a cracking first anniversary run. Picture: Malcolm Wells
RUNNERS and volunteers combined to crown the first anniversary of Lee-on-the-Solent parkrun in great style.

Event-director Gary Heather was thrilled to see everyone enjoying the fantastic 5k run followed by a picnic.

He said: ‘Our first anniversary had an amazing turnout of 399 runners.

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‘Even though we didn’t know this at the time, we started with 400 runners, but one unfortunate runner had to pull out with a minor niggle.

Left to right: Joe Paterson with Simone Paterson, both from Melbourne, Australia, Chris Brobin with his wife Natalie Brobin and close running friend Mike Gregory. Picture: Malcolm Wells (160702-4514)Left to right: Joe Paterson with Simone Paterson, both from Melbourne, Australia, Chris Brobin with his wife Natalie Brobin and close running friend Mike Gregory. Picture: Malcolm Wells (160702-4514)
Left to right: Joe Paterson with Simone Paterson, both from Melbourne, Australia, Chris Brobin with his wife Natalie Brobin and close running friend Mike Gregory. Picture: Malcolm Wells (160702-4514)

‘This was our third highest total from inception.

‘It was fantastic that our deputy mayor of Gosport, Linda Batty, and her husband, Peter Batty, were there to witness it.

‘They both thoroughly enjoyed it and will come back.’

Louise Tanner completed the most parkruns in the year at Lee with 40 runs.

Left to right: Joe Paterson with Simone Paterson, both from Melbourne, Australia, Chris Brobin with his wife Natalie Brobin and close running friend Mike Gregory. Picture: Malcolm Wells (160702-4514)Left to right: Joe Paterson with Simone Paterson, both from Melbourne, Australia, Chris Brobin with his wife Natalie Brobin and close running friend Mike Gregory. Picture: Malcolm Wells (160702-4514)
Left to right: Joe Paterson with Simone Paterson, both from Melbourne, Australia, Chris Brobin with his wife Natalie Brobin and close running friend Mike Gregory. Picture: Malcolm Wells (160702-4514)

Two runners were only one behind as both Marie Bowers and Keith Barron completed 39 runs.

Thomas Fletcher completed 27 runs in the under-11 category.

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Since January 2, Lee have been averaging 318 runners per run, with 285 the overall average since Lee started.

Heather added: ‘Putting on a weekly event that means so much to so many has been a big highlight.

‘It’s been reported to me how many runners and marshals have become positively impacted by Lee parkrun.