Pakenham parkrun Event Number 37 - 6th June 2015
As you may have now noticed, we have a few additional Run Directors on the Pakenham team, so even though it has only been a few weeks since my last Run Director stint, it has felt like forever - was good to be back!
Surprisingly for a long weekend, we had a large number of participants this weekend, which was great to see. We had 13 First Timers and out of these, we had some tourists from Inverloch and Albert Melbourne. Thank you for coming along and trying out our course 
A local running group was forming when we began last year. I met the founder, Michael and said that I'd love for us to work together as we were both wanting similar outcomes for the community. I would mention the Road Runners every so often in our briefing, point out Michael and the runners took it from there. It still amazes me to this day how this group has grown through our weekly event and the support they give each other along with other parkrunners is outstanding. They are just regular runners who have goals and dreams - like the rest of us! Why run alone, when you can run and have some fun with some friends - and maybe some coffee at the end??!!
We also had a few presentations this week - Richard has completed 50 parkruns. Well done and congratulations!
Megan received our May parkrunner of the month award - and our new trophy! She had an amazing month with PB's and gives back through volunteering often. Thanks Megan
Jodie received our May volunteer of the month medal - as I had stated in my speech, even though Jodie is a regular volunteer, to get up at the last moment to cover a late volunteer cancellation position, we are hugely grateful. Thanks Jodie
This coming Saturday is our "Kids Day" where all the volunteer positions will be completed by our kids. We still have a vacancy for our Timekeeper (a rather important position, as no Timekeeper, no time), so if your child would like to fill this role, please email us at: pakenhamhelpers@parkrun.com or send us a message on our Facebook page.
Thank you to our amazing volunteers! So that everyone can have an opportunity to run, we ask that runners volunteer around 3 times a year. Volunteering provides enjoyment, satisfaction and allows people to give back to their community, and without volunteers, parkrun would not be possible. In order for parkrun to run every week we need volunteers. If you would like to assist, you can email us at pakenhamhelpers@parkrun.com, fill in the roster at the shelter or talk to your Run Director at the event. Please check the future roster at:
www.parkrun.com.au/pakenham/futureroster
Due to insurance purposes, we require all our volunteers to also be registered with parkrun, so please ensure that you are registered so we can add you to the roster!
We would like to thank the Cardinia Shire Council and the Pakenham Racing Club for their support in getting us up and running.
Also, we have a post run coffee at Bunnings. Bunnings has a little cafe, toilets and play equipment for the little ones. We will be there every week until 10am, so feel free to pop by for a coffee and a chat.
Don't forget the lovely offer from Cardinia Life for all our members with a barcode (to be shown at reception) to obtain free access to their swimming pool and showers until 11am every Saturday indefinitely!! Please note: You just have to arrive by 11am, but can stay ALL DAY
- Michelle
Now to the all important statistics:
Male placings:
Dean JACKSON (SM18-19) (Unattached) was first over the line in 17:28 - 4th time in 4 appearances.
Chris WILLSHIRE (VM35-39) of Mornington Peninsula Athletic Club, was second over the line in 18:14 - has been first to finish on 5 previous occasions.
Bill BARRY (VM35-39) of Wonthaggi Road Runners, was third over the line in 18:57.
Current standing in the Men's annual points competition:
Steve HUGHES (Unattached) 2795 pts.
Brian MARSHALL (Pakenham Road Runners) 2686 pts.
Geoff HILDER (Pakenham Road Runners) 2530 pts.
Female placings:
Tammy BRACE (VW45-49) (Unattached) was first (9th overall) over the line in 21:50 - 11th time in 21 appearances.
Yvette BRADY (SW25-29) (Unattached) was second (11th overall) over the line in 22:02 - has been first to finish on 3 previous occasions.
Belle HANNAN (JW15-17) (Unattached) was third (13th overall) over the line in 22:05 - has been first to finish on 4 previous occasions.
Current standing in the Women's annual points competition:
Jodie CALDWELL (Pakenham Road Runners) 2582 pts.
Tammy BRACE (Unattached) 2385 pts.
Belinda ORFORD (Pakenham Road Runners) 2358 pts.
The following runners recorded the best Age Grade scores:
Anne KIDMAN (VW60-64) was graded 79.94% for the time 23:56 (24th overall).
Dean JACKSON (SM18-19) was graded 75.48% for the time 17:28 (first overall).
Tammy BRACE (VW45-49) was graded 73.44% for the time 21:50 (9th overall).
This week there were 80 runners, of whom 13 were first timers and 22 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 8 different athletics clubs took part.
Pakenham parkrun started on 20th September 2014, and since then 481 different runners, including participants from 28 athletics clubs, have completed 2,036 runs covering a total distance of 10,180 km, and there have been 558 new Personal Bests.
The female record is held by Sam PRIME who ran in a time of 00:19:26 on 2014-09-27 (event number 2).
The male record is held by Ryan MARTIN who ran in a time of 00:16:59 on 2015-01-24 (event number 19).
The Age Grade course record is held by Bronwen G CARDY who recorded a 95.63% run (20:35) on 15th November 2014 (event number 9).
Today's full results and a complete event history can be found on the Pakenham parkrun Results Page.