Isla Hedley and Jack Pickett ran the fastest parkrun times in the UK this weekend (9th December).

Our weekly parkrun top ten is now sponsored by Vertebrate Publishing (my publisher) and here’s a link to buy my book on their website. They actually have a bunch of great books to choose from, especially the mountaineering ones, so don’t feel like you have to buy 1001 Running Tips.

It was a slower weekend for parkrun, for what reason we’re not sure, but it means some new names and different events making the top 10 so we’re happy with that.

Isla Hedley, of Fife AC, was the quickest female with 18:00 flat at Edinburgh parkrun. The U20 ran a parkrun PB of 17:28 in May this year and has been in action at the XC relay champs this Autumn, so the 2024 XC racing might be good fun for the Edinburgh uni student.

Jack Pickett was the fastest man, with 15:22 at Telford parkrun in the Midlands. The Wolverhampton and Bilston AC runner is another youngster, an U23, and has broken 15 minutes for both parkrun and 5k on the road this year. Other highlights include a 2:30:12 marathon and a 30:31 10k, so maybe both will be under the 30 minute mark next year.

The best of the rest?

In second position was Eilidh Dallas of Strathearn Harriers. In North Inch park in Perth, home to the Anglo-Celtic Plate 50 & 100k Champs next Spring, Dallas ran 18:02 to narrowly miss the top spot, but just edge two runners with 18:03 in other parks of the UK.

Ellie Marie Monks was third for the second week, but her time from last week would have been a clear top spot. This week at 18:03 the podium was shared with Catrin Tyler of London Heathside, who ran the same time at Lordship Recreation Ground parkrun.

Second placed male and second placed Jack was Jack Heathwood with 15:30. The Bellahouston Harrier ran at Strathclyde parkrun and has clocked plenty of PBs in 2023, including an excellent 69:40 half marathon in May and 15:07 for parkrun at Linwood in April.

The final men’s podium spot went to Jonny Whan, at the same event as Isla Hedley in Edinburgh. City of Lisburn AC’s Whan, who might need to update his parkrun club to Clonliffe, is a middle distance and cross country runner and this is his first entry for 2023 on Power of 10 so we hope he’s just been busy in Ireland!

The quickest event

It was a strong win for Edinburgh parkrun this weekend with 1st female, 3rd male and 6th & 8th to add to the list too. Must have been good weather up north this weekend.

Female rankings

Men’s Rankings