By Tamsyn Smith
Southampton parkrun:
Running to the Rhythm of Eurovision
The stage was set:
Like any Eurovision grand final, preparations for the event start early. One of the first people on the Common was our very own Martin Österdahl, in the form of parkrun stalwart Gareth Jones, who did the event day course check.
Introduction:
The stage was set, the atmosphere electric, as runners gathered at Southampton Common for a parkrun like no other. With the spirit of Eurovision in the air, today’s host Nic Woollard took to the mic to say, “Willkommen! Bienvenue! Welcome!” to participants from near and far. Like any good international broadcast, Nic’s words were signed – thank you to Julie Humphries.
Start Line spectacle:
As the countdown began, anticipation soared like the crescendo of a Eurovision anthem. The starting line resembled the bustling streets of Malmö on the night of the contest, with runners wearing a kaleidoscope of colours, reflecting the diversity of nations and running clubs represented.
Australia might not have made it through the semi-finals, but that didn’t deter Darren Bagnall and Sue Gerty who were visiting today from Kamay parkrun, Sydney.
Running commentary:
From the first step to the final sprint, the parkrun course echoed with the rhythm of runners and walkers. Marshals stationed along the route channelled their inner commentators, offering words of encouragement in languages as varied as the Eurovision songbook itself. "Allez! Vamos! Come on, you've got this!" echoed through the trees, creating a symphony of support that propelled participants forward.
Photo finish:
As runners crossed the finish line, cheers erupted like the roar of the Eurovision crowd. Tokens were awarded with the pomp and circumstance befitting a Eurovision winner, as each participant basked in the glory of their personal victory. Tokens were scanned with a wink and a smile, reminiscent of the charm and charisma of Eurovision presenters past.
Results and Rankings:
In the spirit of Eurovision, participants celebrated not only personal achievements but also the collective joy of coming together as a community. Times and rankings mattered less than the camaraderie forged on the course, where runners from all walks of life united in the shared pursuit of fitness, fun, and a touch of Eurovision magic.
“Douze points” went to parkrunners who reached milestones this week: Neil Hotson (200); Sam Marsh and Rachel Louise Browne (150); Jj Martin (100); Glen Reynolds, Jon Taylor, Julia White and Valerie Dillon (50); Stephen Crowther, Graham Mott, Harry Worth, Lindsey Barton Ghag, Laura Davis, Joao Almeida, Rachael Tupper, and Julie Parker (25).
“Dix points” went to the 178 participants who achieved a personal best: Aaron Cook, Aaron Laishley, Aaron Swann, Alfie Ridgway, Alice Liu, Alice Rysiecki, Aliyah Turnbull, Alu Pun, Ami Jolly, Amie Barnes, Amy Molenaar, Andi Maratos, Andrew Bateman, Angel Fernandez, Anita Margitova, Anna Fairclough, Annie Taylor, Arthur Dimech, Ben Amram, Ben Bulley, Ben Harvey, Benjamin Poole, Beth Cro, Beth Hewitt, Bethany Thomas, Blake Tupper, Bleet Ballard, Bradley Morrison, Brandon Bacon, Brian O'mullane, Cameron Macmillan, Carys Attwell, Charlene Pinto, Charles Lawson, Charles Stranack, Charlotte Moye, Chelsea Topley, Christopher Brant, Claire Di Maiolo, Clare Atkinson, Colette Stride, Cora Ryan, Daniel Law, Darren Willmore, Dave Seed, David White, Donna Beyleveld, Ed Choi, Ed Harris, Edward Tracey, Eleanor White, Eliana Peus, Elias Abdo, Elisa Fadda, Emily Judd, Emily Reeves, Erin Bagge, Evan Toleman, Evie Wills, Fabi Sica, Finlay Southwood, Freddie Mountjoy, Gary Polmeer, Gillian Tetlow, Grant Pedler, Hannah Gittins, Harry Evans, Harvey Mariner, Hazel Worthy, Isaac Webb, Isabela Shigasi, Jack Homans, Jack Malone, Jackie Hutchinson, James Brixey, James Gibson, James Heffernan, James Rabaiotti, Jamie Thom, Jasmine Richards, Jay De Los Reyes, Jayne Tamlyn, Jemma Gillingham, Jenson Baxendale, Jessica Marshall, Jia Jie Chen, Jo Brown, Joe Green, Jon Raney, Josephine Hartley, Josephine Law, Josephine Taylor, Josh Mchaffie, Josh Robinson, Josiah Webb, Josie Lea, Judith Bryan, Julie Parker, Karen Urben, Kat Chivers, Kate Williamson, Katherine Dickenson, Kim Dickenson, Lala Muradova, Laura Davis, Lauren Waters, Lee Cronin, Leila Manzi Rabaiotti, Leon Downing, Lewis Whatley, Liam Faulds, Lily Payne, Lisa Dillon, Lisa Pitman, Louise Lauder, Louise Merritt, Louise Smith, Lucy Barnes, Lucy Street, Luis Del Rio Fernandez, Maria Busfield, Mark Adams, Maurice Richardson, Max Bosher, Megan Bannister, Mick Oconnell, Millie Eaton, Monika Lysiak, Nathan Hattersley, Nick Wheeler, Oliver Gosling, Oliver King, Olivia Moss, Paul Brown, Pedro Caballero, Phoebe Miles, Pin Hong Wong, Rachael Tupper, Randall Nason, Raquel Rego, Rebekah Downing, Robert Eastgate, Robert Harpur, Robert Smith, Rohan Micklethwaite, Ruoyu Ni, Sam Downing, Sam Walton, Samuel Arthur, Samuel Hepper, Samuel Simmons, Sarah Brown, Sarah Hockin, Scott Martin, Sean Lean, Sebastian Hodson, Simon Dulku, Sofia Kisiala, Sofia Mroz, Sophie Allen, Sophie Ball, Sophie Bennett, Sophie Brown, Stefania Dall'armi, Stephen Crowther, Sumin Feng, Taylor Rooke, Thomas Easterbrook, Thomas Shaw, Tim Bifield, Torrin Agar, Venkata Thota, William Farthing, William Hughes, Xavia Riley Oakes, Zara Daniels, Zenki Lo, Zoltan Balazs
The winner takes it all:
As the tail walkers crossed the line, Southampton parkrun drew to a close, leaving behind memories of a morning filled with laughter, camaraderie, and the indomitable spirit of Eurovision. Until next time, when runners will once again take to the course, ready to run, walk, dance, and sing their way to the finish line.
This week 1136 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of whom 109 were first timers and 176 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 69 different clubs took part.
The event was made possible by 64 volunteers:
Gareth JONES • James GAVIN • John KEENAN • Trevor Alan ELLERY • Tamsyn May SMITH • Jonathan James NORTHCOTT • Jim BENNETT • Adam WILLS • Eddie BULPITT • Laura MCKENZIE • Peter LEWIS • Malcolm John WHITE • Jill Alison WHITE • Nicholas HAWKINS • Elaine June WINTER • Timothy SLY • Sue WILSON • Andrew ADAMS • Nic WOOLLARD • Ruth BARTLETT • Peter ROE • Kim BATTEN • Hayley TAYLOR • Stephen WELCH • Julie HUMPHRIES • Ian HOWARD • Laura LEA • Debbie LLOYD • Simon FITZJOHN • Leah TAVNER • Emma BRADSHAW • Barbara COGMAN • Liam BROCKEN • William JONES • Phil BLAKE • Laura BROWN • Edward HORABIN • Zahid NAWAZ • Julie FARRANT • Ruth MURPHY • Isabella TAYLOR • Benjamin TAYLOR • Jamie GOSS • Lesley HUNTER • Eric FARRANT • Flynn MURPHY • Thomas WHITE • Evie WILLS • Gayle DOULTON • David QUINNEY • Robert ATKINSON • Graham COLBORNE • Hermione WILLS • Karen WOODMAN • Liz PALMER • Callum BLACK • Ian HOGG • Joanne CLEMENTS • Harry RASOR • Matthew BROWN • Dave SEED • Laura KEMBLE • Jessica MARSHALL • Renata CRADDOCK
Today's full results and a complete event history can be found on the Southampton parkrun Results Page.
Southampton parkrun started on 7th July 2012. Since then 36,429 participants have completed 382,398 parkruns covering a total distance of 1,911,990 km, including 56,296 new Personal Bests. A total of 2,856 individuals have volunteered 25,683 times.