David Bishop and Sophie Wallis ran the fastest parkrun times in the UK this weekend (28th January).

Our weekly parkrun top ten is sponsored by 1001 Running Tips by our editor Robbie Britton. Want to run faster at parkrun in 2023 or your next marathon then order your copy today.(PBs not guaranteed, but very likely).

Sophie Wallis came up with one of the runs of the weekend with an excellent 16:12 at Lincoln parkrun. The parkrun top 10 regular was Lincolnshire County Champion on the cross country a couple of weeks back and this is her fastest parkrun of 2023, although not as quick as the excellent 15:51 parkrun PB at Doddington Hall in December last year.

David Bishop held off strong competition at long Eaton to finish first and top the men’s rankings with a fine 14:43, just ten seconds ahead of second finisher Alex Hampson. Bishop, a Team Derby Runner, equalled his 5000m best from 2022 with a big new parkrun PB and not long after a strong fifth place at the Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire County Championships on the 7th January.

The next on the podium

Both second place runners were at Long Eaton parkrun this weekend with GB mountain runner Emma Collinge showing some serious flat speed with a 16:29. That’s a big parkrun PB and only two seconds off the road 5k PB for the 2016 European Mountain Running Champion based in Italy (good place to be based that is).

In the Long Eaton burn-up with David Bishop Alex Hampson was only 10 seconds back in 14:53. The Mansfield Harrier was one second slower than hi parkrun PB from last year, when he also ran 14:40 for 5k on the road at the Mid Cheshire 5K in April. Bishop was probably glad there wasn’t a sprint finish as Hampson ran 51 flat for 400 last year and 1:52 for 800m, as well as being a sub 3:50 1500m runner.

Also under 17 minutes for the women was another regular in these lists Annabel Gummow. With 16:35 at Storey’s Field parkrun the former GB XC runner shows that she is once again starting the year in excellent form. This adds to a quality second at the Start Fitness Metropolitan League XC two weeks ago.

Ewan McKerral was top in his school with a 15:17 parkrun at Strathclyde, finishing with a flourish and a splash up in Scotland. Not afraid of getting into deep water with a dive from the starting line, it’s big leap forward for the youngster who was 40th at the Scottish Inter District Championships two weeks ago. That’s a totally different kettle of fish though.

Actually all these mackerel related puns were unnecessary as Issac Ellard continues his impressive progression to future parkrun world record holder with another excellent PB of 14:57 at Ferry Meadows. This was the third fastest this week, relegating Ewan McKerral to fourth spot. What will he run next week and when will it end?!

The fastest course?

There must have been a whirlwind going the whole way round at Long Eaton parkrun this weekend as the event featured four times, but three times on the podium to top Dulwich’s three in the top 10s.

Men’s Rankings

Female Rankings