In April, numerous OS Runners decided not to run the usual First Saturday of the Month (FSOTM) event, but volunteer at Eastleigh. This was our first opportunity as a club to complete a “takeover” – where members of a running club aim to fill all volunteer roles at a parkrun for a week – since the Covid pandemic.

Parkrun has given many positive things to some of us in the club; from a weekly activity to aim for, to making lifelong friends.

OS Runners March 2022 Handicap

As I finished my handicap, I was back in changing rooms and saw Sam Andrews heading out; the conversation went something like this;

MP – How you feeling?

SA – Hmm, not really feeling it today

MP – You’re out here now, you might as well do your best (‘possibly’ using slightly stronger language).

SA – I’ll do my best

Sam’s strava achievements for the handicap

Also running fantastically well in March was Claire Howson who took 1 minute off her PB, having done a 1,200m warm up first.

I’m as guilty as anyone of skipping warm up’s, but benefits are significant;

The handicap isn’t always about racing though – I had a lovely chatty catch up run round the OS circuit with Karen, while Jo ran with Polly.

& now onto the results, well done to all 12 participants;

Next month we are going to run the OS course handicap after work and have food in WTF/4 Horsehoes afterwards – all welcome, including dogs!

It has been a long time since we did an “At the Finish Line” article, but we have decided to revive it. We know our club members always enjoy a quick insight into the lives of our varied members.

Claire Howson was our first volunteer (victim!) – If you would like to be part of At the Finish Line, or have any ideas of who you would like to hear more from, please let us know.

February 2022 Handicap

Sometimes when I write the handicap there is 1 big story that stands out – be it a massive PB, RED, record attendance, or (often) the weather. This month is more of a lots of little stories, so here goes;