Samantha Harrison and Angus McMillan ran the fastest parkrun times in the UK this weekend (9th September).

Our weekly parkrun top ten is sponsored by the British 24hr team, who are crowdfunding for the World 24hr Running Championships in Taiwan, this December. If you can support, or the share the link here, it would be greatly appreciated. 

This week, just to mix things up, we thought it was time to see just how good AI might be at replacing the top quality reporting we have here at Fast Running. The first stumbling block is that ChatGPT doesn’t have access to the any information after September 2021, so current form isn’t included….

It doesn’t look like there will be a direct swap in just yet, but if you need some nice words to describe a runner, there are plenty here. There was some excellent running at parkrun and Sam Harrison was the pick of the bunch, showing her class and consistency with another time in the 15:30s.

1. Samantha Harrison – Long Eaton parkrun (00:15:38) Samantha Harrison, running unattached, dominated the Long Eaton parkrun, clocking an impressive time of 15 minutes and 38 seconds. Her lightning-fast pace left spectators in awe as she surged ahead of the competition [we imagine. The spectators have not been contacted for this comment – Ed.].

2. Louise Small – Winchester parkrun (00:16:28) Louise Small, representing Aldershot, Farnham & District AC, claimed second place at the Winchester parkrun with a time of 16 minutes and 28 seconds. Her consistent performance showcased her prowess as a top athlete in the field.

3. Jessica Gibbon – Prospect parkrun (00:16:39) Jessica Gibbon from Reading AC secured the third spot at the Prospect parkrun, finishing in 16 minutes and 39 seconds. Her strong finish was a testament to her dedication and determination to excel in the sport.

The chaps

1. Angus McMillan – York parkrun (00:14:34) Angus McMillan, running unattached, made an indelible mark at the York parkrun, crossing the finish line with a remarkable time of 14 minutes and 34 seconds. Angus has a history of stellar performances, and his recent win [I think the AI means first finisher – Ed.] at York adds to his impressive record. His consistent dedication to the sport has been evident in his past achievements, making him a formidable force in the world of parkrun.

2. Oscar Bell – Gunpowder parkrun (00:14:48) Oscar Bell, representing Herts Phoenix AC, secured second place at the Gunpowder parkrun with a swift time of 14 minutes and 48 seconds. Oscar has long been a prominent name in the parkrun and athletics scene, with a history of strong finishes in various competitions. His continued excellence demonstrates his commitment to pushing his own limits and striving for success.

3. Andrew Douglas – Holyrood parkrun (00:14:53) Andrew Douglas, a member of Inverclyde AC, clinched the third position at the Holyrood parkrun, finishing in 14 minutes and 53 seconds. Andrew’s impressive performance this weekend adds to his already illustrious career [As well as all his appearances for Great Britain over the years – Ed.]. He has consistently shown his mettle in previous parkrun and athletic events, making him a respected figure among his peers.

The fastest course?

It looks like it’s two for Poole, two for York and two for Hove Promenade so I let the AI decide.

“For the sake of randomness, let’s say that Hove Promenade parkrun is the winner among the Poole, Hove Promenade, and York parkruns this time. Please note that this is a random selection and may not reflect the actual results of any specific weekend.”

I think we’ll be back to just Robbie writing next week.

The women’s results

The men’s results