Gemma Kersey and Lewis Gamble-Thompson ran the fastest parkrun times in the UK this weekend (7th 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).

At Raphael parkrun it was Gemma Kersey who flew into 2023 with a spring in her step. Clocking 17:11 was enough to secure the top spot for the Basildon athlete who ran a 16:07 parkrun PB last September. What a way to start the year!

Lewis Gamble-Thompson was the fastest male with 15:23, a time that might not even had made the top 10 in some recent weeks but was enough for king of the hill this January. Maybe everyone is still suffering from some New Year’s Eve excess? The New Marske runner is coming off a year where he ran 2:23 for the marathon, 65:32 for half, 30:08 for 10k and 14:24 for 5k. I’m tired just thinking about it.

The next quickest of the bunches

In London at Mile End parkrun it was Lilly Hawkins, of Wells City Harriers, who was second fastest female with 17:27. Hawkins, who broke 17 minutes for parkrun for the first time in 2022, is starting the year with her third fastest parkrun of all time and looks set for a string start to 2023.

Josh Lunn made the most of the fast lines and smooth tarmac of Cardiff parkrun with a 15:29 for second fastest male on Saturday. Lunn, who now runs for Cardiff AC, is clearly a well organised and consistent 5k runner as his 5000m track and 5k on the road PBs are identical at 14:43.

At Birkenhead parkrun in there northwest it was Wirral AC athlete Emily Kearney who completed the women’s podium with a 17:44. With a 15:39 5000m best on the track, Kearney is a quality distance runner and ran a 2:34 marathon PB in Houston last year. With this early season form it’s possible she might be returning there this January for another crack?

At Heaton parkrun in Manchester it was Harry Wakefield who was first across the line in 15:30, just a second slower than Lunn. After a 69:37 half marathon PB in 2022 in Vienna, the Salford Harrier might be aiming for some more distance bests in the next 12 months as well.

The fastest event?

It looks like it was one of those wonderful weeks when we have 20 different events feature in the rankings, which should just how wide spread the parkruns of the UK are. The fastest event badge this week can go to… Heaton parkrun. As it’s the lowest ranked in terms of “fastest parkruns” out of all six in the top three rankings, at number 235 in the UK. Well done Harry Wakefield for carrying that heavy mantle.

Women’s rankings

Men’s Rankings