Samantha Harrison and Andrew Douglas ran the fastest parkrun times in the UK this weekend (22nd July).
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It was a week with some big names at the top of the charts with GB&NI distance runner Sam Harrison the fastest lady with 15:37 and GB&NI mountain runner Andy Douglas the quickest chap in 14:41.
Harrison, who is coached by Vince Wilson, was at Long Eaton parkrun for a “tempo session” at parkrun it seems with a time that equals her own fastest time at parkrun. 15:37 was the previous women’s “World Record” for parkrun (a term I do not feel entirely comfortable writing. Ha) and since then Melissa Courtney-Bryant and Isobel Batt-Doyle has run even quicker for the Saturday morning time trials.
Andy Douglas is more at home in the mountains, but that leg speed is still there for the flat and after coming back from the World Mountain Running Champs he clearly wants to enjoy a fast 5k. 14:41 at St. Andrews parkrun is a great start to a Saturday and a good sign for the summer season ahead.
The best of the rest
It was a training partner of Sam Harrison that was next on the list with Calli Thackery also under 16 minutes this weekend and a minute ahead of third fastest Emma Styles, both excellent performances. Thackery was at Dulwich parkrun in south-east London, whilst Styles was first finisher at Watermead Country Park parkrun.
It was a tear-up at Walsall Arboretum for second and third fastest male and there was only one second in it. James Vaughan and Ed Banks were both under 15 minutes with 14:58 and 14:59 for the Birchfield Harriers and also took the fastest course in a dead heat too, with Long Eaton also having a 1st and 5th place but being pipped by their 2nd and third!
Women’s rankings
Men’s rankings