Weekend Roundup - 2 May 2026
17 members across 7 parkrun venues, a piece of parkrun history, Alison's 100th volunteer session, 2 course PBs, and a big weekend of racing.
A terrific Saturday spread - 17 members headed out to parkrun across 7 venues, from the banks of the Conwy to the chalk downlands of Bedfordshire, and including a piece of parkrun history, a brilliant volunteering milestone, and 2 course PBs to celebrate.
🏃 Parkrun
Alexandra parkrun, Moss Side
Fiona Case was in great form at Moss Side, putting in a solid performance on this familiar south Manchester course.
Bolton
Paula Crosland had a fine morning at Bolton, running strongly on the Leverhulme Park course as she so often does.
Clarence
Stephen Crowe was out at Clarence and produced something very special - a course PB on his 66th visit to the event. Getting faster after 66 goes at the same course is no small thing. Brilliant run, Stephen! 👏
Conwy
Delphine Bugarel headed to North Wales for this one, taking on the scenic Conwy course - a mostly flat route along the banks of the River Conwy on gravel and tarmac paths, with the dramatic backdrop of the medieval castle just across the water. A cracking destination parkrun, and a great run from Delphine!
Dunstable Downs
Jane Grantham was well beyond Greater Manchester this weekend, making it to Dunstable Downs in Bedfordshire - a moderately undulating course run on grass and open paths across the wide chalk downland, with big open skies all around. A proper adventure!
Heaton
The biggest turnout of the morning was at Heaton, where 11 members took to the course. Neil Naisbitt was first of the group home, running strongly to lead the way. Andrew Whitehead and Paul Cox ran closely together just behind, with Dale Richards and Cheryl Stewardson next to finish. Kate Myers had a great run too, picking up a course PB in the process.
On the parkwalking front, Chris, Angela Pradena, Helen Naisbitt, and Tanja Brajkovic all enjoyed a walk around the course - with Tanja and Helen having a very good reason to take it at an easy pace. The pair walked together with Alison Whitehead to celebrate a remarkable milestone: her 100th volunteering session with parkrun. That is a huge amount of time given back to the community, and a brilliant way to mark it with friends by her side. Huge congratulations, Alison! 👏
Kingsway Park, Urmston
Tracy Wroe was part of a little piece of parkrun history this weekend, taking on the very first event ever held at the brand-new Kingsway Park parkrun in Urmston. Being there for event number 1 is something she can say she was part of for as long as the event runs - a great experience!
🏅 Races
Saturday 2 May
It's a Piece of Cake 10k
Ken Smith, Lucie Tighe, Mark Taylor, and Sarah Wilson all headed to Boggart Hole Clough for the It's a Piece of Cake 10k - a popular Manchester classic organised by Manchester Frontrunners that serves up 3 undulating laps of the park, a famously steep (but blessedly short) climb up Angel Hill, and a cake sale raising money for George House Trust. Great effort from all 4!
The Cake Race
Chris Mihalyi headed to Saddleworth for The Cake Race - a 10-mile fell race organised by Saddleworth Runners, taking in moorland, reservoirs, and farmland around Wessenden Head and Marsden with 1,700 feet of climbing. And if the terrain wasn't enough of a reward, there's cake at the finish - and prizes for the best decorated and best tasting entries. A brilliant event and a great run from Chris!
Pennine Barrier Ultra
Kath Biddle took on something rather more formidable. The Pennine Barrier Ultra is a 50-mile route starting in the stunning village of Malham in the Yorkshire Dales, taking in Malham Cove, Malham Tarn, and all 3 of the Yorkshire Three Peaks - Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside, and Ingleborough - with over 2,500 metres of climbing along the way. An extraordinary challenge and a magnificent achievement. 👏
Sunday 3 May
Swinton RC Five Mile Ladies Trail Race
Paula Crosland and Tracy Wroe both took on the Swinton Running Club Five Mile Ladies Trail Race - a long-established women-only event now in its 34th year, winding through Worsley Woods past Old Warke Dam lake and along the Bridgewater Canal on a mix of woodland trails and paths. Founded back in 1991 to create a welcoming space for women runners of all abilities, it remains a brilliant event with a real community feel. A great Sunday outing from both!