PARKRUN
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WHAT a difference a week makes.
Last weekend's Bowral Parkrun event was held in wet and miserable conditions.
On Saturday morning, the group had members succumbing to the heat.
The 53rd parkrun edition was held on International Parkrun Day, which marks the 11th anniversary of the first parkrun in London.
Although the temperature only reached 20 degrees, there was something particularly muggy about Saturday morning, which affected almost all of Bowral's 61 parkrunners.
As a result, although the conditions were dry and the track light, there were only four personal best times achieved.
Rod Roberts, Marketa Krueger, John Beasley, and Eloise Ryan all managed to set faster times than they have previously.
Bowral members were joined by 18 first-timers, who chose the perfect day to come out and experience what parkrun is all about.
There were also parkrun tourists from Merimbula, Dubbo, Canberra and Shellharbour.
The frontrunners were once again setting a fast pace, with the first five runners coming home in under 20 minutes.
It was a Goulburn runner for the second week in a row who took line honours.
Cameron Roberts set the sixth fastest time on the course in the past year with 17 minutes and 24 seconds at his first attempt.
Dave Watson and Scott Connolly continued their duel up the front.
Watson won the battle by five seconds to cross in second place in 18 minutes and 27 seconds.
The first female was also a first-timer.
Georgia Hampshire crossed in 23 minutes and 21 seconds.
Hampshire finished ahead of another junior, with Zara Steffensen finishing in 25 minutes and 34 seconds.
Third place went to Joanne Belcher in 26 minutes and five seconds.
There was one new age category record set.
Roberts' 17 minutes and 24 seconds set a new benchmark for the men's 20-24 years age group.
Club members had a chance to hand out some medals to the stars of parkrun for 2014-2015, the group's first year.
The group thanks parkrunning councillor Graham McLaughlin for helping hand out these awards.
Award winners for the year were:
Female Point Score
First: Josine Irving (3518 points)
Second: Sharon Grice (3280)
Third: Norma Wallett (2935)
Male Point Score
First: David Watson (4330 points)
Second: Ian Muller (3376)
Third: Max Powditch (2536)
Junior Parkrunner of the Year
Female: Imogen Day
Male: Matthew Smith
Volunteers of the Year
First: John Beasley
Second: Sue Ling
Third: Gloria Rozario
Age Grouper of the Year
First: Norma Wallett
PB Guru of the Year (most consistent improvement)
First: Mary O'Neill
Bowral parkrun occurs every Saturday morning at 8am.
It is a free timed 5km run or walk.
Members' ages range from five to 86, and finishing times range from 15 minutes to 65 minutes.
For further information or to register, visit www.parkrun.com.au/bowral, email bowraloffice@parkrun.com, or phone Barry on 0411 484 321.
* By Barry Smith