Keenies

Yesterday, Parkrun Rhuthun/Ruthin Park Run celebrated its first anniversary. It was actually the Park Run's 51st gathering but it nevertheless all began a year ago on Saturday May 28th, 2022.

The Park Run phenomenon was designed to get people active, especially those who are less inclined to be so. It includes runners and walkers of all ages and abilities. Yes, walking is permitted. But, in spite of that, Park Run is dominated by Keenies. 

Keenies wear all the latest running fashions. They take matters very seriously. Keenies are supported by a league table each week, showing you the fasted Keenie (and slowest sluggard) to complete the standard 3.1 mile course. Keenies are further buoyed by calculating a percentage that weights their performance by sex and age. So, a fit 80-year-old can be a Keenie, too, once you adjust the percentage for the passage of time. Because there is a competitive edge to it, Park Run focuses runners to perform their best. That leaves some behind.

Rhuthun's Park Run course is totally flat and that's a real bonus: some have pitches. It's on a hard surface, so the benefit continues: some are in muddy or waterlogged parks, for example. It's in the name. 

But the strange thing about Rhuthun's is that for the L-shaped middle section you thrice have to retrace your steps. This sounds easy but till you get used to it you can actually lose count. Back and forth you go and at least it allows you to observe the performance of your fellow runners. 

Oddly, there's something called 'Park Run tourism'. Keenies will visit other areas to participate and this, we're told, brings people to town if only for a cuppa at the end of it. Or a stiff brandy.

Cumulative no. of finishers	4,286
Absolute no. of finishers	1,856
Average finishes per participant	2.31
Cumulative no. of volunteers	809
Absolute no. of volunteers	129
Highest no. of runners	221 (1st event)
Lowest	47 (24/9/22)
Average finishers (mode)	69
Average finishers (median)	80
Finishers Christmas Day 2022	93
Finishers New Year's Day	82