British men run the fastest parkrun times in the world, while the women’s top 10 has a truly global feel this week.

For the first time, Fast Running has collated the global top 10 rankings for parkrun. Although the Saturday morning 5k event is still largely a UK and Irish phenomenon, worldwide popularity is growing with 20 countries now taking part.

Jake Smith and Lucy Charles were top of the UK rankings this week and held those spots globally, but while the UK dominance shows in the men’s rankings, the women’s top 10 is a real global mix.

Close competition for fastest lady

Competition was close for Charles with Kyrgyzstan Olympian Yulia Andreyeva running 16:51 in Russia. Ufa Botanichesky Sad parkrun in Moscow is one of several in the Russian city. The marathoner competed in the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympics with a personal best of 2:33:04.

For the number three spot, it’s a trip to the other side of the world for a 17:07 run by Marnie Ponton of UP Coaching at Nepean River parkrun in Australia.

The former Australian national steeplechase champion is the current New South Wales 5km champion and also won the Six Foot Track ultra marathon in 2017.

Ireland’s marathon record holder Catherina McKiernan topped the Irish rankings and her time cemented fourth place on the global list.

Annabel Gummow of the UK and Michelle Pearson of Australia were joint fifth in 17:21. Pearson is the second of four Australians that feature in the top 10.

Running 17:24 at Pegasus parkrun in New Zealand, was Hannah Oldroyd. The Airedale Dodger is actually from Lancashire and ran a 2:45 marathon in Copenhagen in May. That was just after a 2:46 showing at the oppressively hot London Marathon in April.

South African runners feature

South Africa featured twice in the top 10 rankings, once in the male and once in the female rankings. Mesa Molotsane of Kovsie AC ran 17:28 for seventh place female and Kgomotso Reuben Mosiane ran 15:23 to finish equal 10th in the men’s rankings alongside Omer Ahmed of the UK.

The only other male to break the British dominance of the rankings was William McCain. The Tempo Team runner posted 15:20 to top the Australian male rankings at Pakapakanthi event.

Fastest nation

It is an easy calculation for the male rankings as British runners filled eight of the top 10 spots. But the Australians and Brits were the most prominent in the female rankings with three placings per country. It will be interesting to see who comes out on top next week.

Exmouth parkrun featured twice so could possibly be considered the fastest parkrun in the world this week.

Women’s top 10

1) parkrun: Gunpowder, UK
Lucy Charles, 16:46, Hoddesdon Tri Club
2) parkrun: Ufa Botanichesky Sad, Russia
Yuliya Andreyeva, 16:51, Kyrgyzstan
3) parkrun: Nepean River, Australia
Marnie Ponton, 17:07, UP Coaching
4) parkrun: Malahide, Ireland
Catherina McKiernan, 17:16.
=5) parkrun: Eden Project, UK
Annabel Gummow, 17:21, Winchester and District AC
=5) parkrun: Coffs Harbour, Australia
Michelle Pearson, 17:21
7) parkrun: Whitstable, UK
Jessica Gibbon, 17:22, Reading AC
8) parkrun: Pegasus, New Zealand
Hannah Oldroyd, 17:24, Airedale Dodgers
9) parkrun: Naval Hill, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Kesa Molotsane, 17:28, Kovsie AC
10) parkrun: Parramatta, Australia
Fiona Yates, 17:29, Sydney Striders

Men’s top 10

1) parkrun: Exmouth, UK
Jake Smith, 14:21, Axe Valley Runners
2) parkrun: Rother Valley, UK
John Beattie, 14:55, Newham & Essex Beagles AC
=3) parkrun: Blandford, UK
Dave Long, 15:01, Bournemouth AC
=3) parkrun: Exmouth, UK
Tom Merson, 15:01, Exmouth Harriers AAC
5) parkrun: Aviemore, UK
Andrew Douglas, 15:10, Inverclyde AC
6) parkrun: Lincoln, UK
Matthew Bowser, 15:11
7) parkrun: Long Eaton, UK
Danny Hallam, 15:19, Wreake and Soar Valley AC
8) parkrun: Dulwich, UK
Tom Mower, 15:19, Kent AC
9) parkrun: Pakapakanthi, Australia
William McCain, 15:20, Team Tempo
=10) parkrun: Brueton, UK
Omer Ahmed, 15:23, Birchfield Harriers
=10) parkrun: Koster, South Africa
Kgomotso Reuben Mosiane, 15:23

Would you like to run faster at parkrun? Top tips to help runners of all abilities hit a parkrun best can be found here.

RELATED: 7 ways to run faster at parkrun

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