Lydiard parkrun

25/10/2026

Run Report for Lydiard parkrun Number 755



For the last four fine-weather Saturdays at Lydiard parkrun, participant numbers have nudged 500.



Today, we were a mere 371. It looks like bad weather warnings, in the shape of Storms Austen & Boelo, put off the fair-weather folk.



Thank goodness the 45 all-weather setters-up, marshals, timekeepers, lights at the end of the funnel, scanners, takers-down, and the whole parkrun volunteer crew were not put off by those alarming yellow, amber, and red symbols.



So, on a breezy, chilly, but barely drizzly morning – perfectly acceptable parkrun conditions - just before 9am, RD Emma welcomed us all, including 50 First Timers, and tourists from Barry Island, Basildon, Dartford, Reading, Seven Fields, Sheffield, Woodley, and France.



Emma also gave a well-deserved shout out to a number of Lydiard regulars and milestone-makers. These included the widely-travelled parkrun personality and ever-helpful Gary Whitehead, who today completed two 600s, in both running and volunteering; running, bell-ringing, and ever-helpful Jenny Moore, for volunteering on 250 occasions, and Tony Hughes for doing so 100 times; and today’s homemade biscuit provider Jane Stephens on completing 400 runs. Well done one and all!



And while we are on numbers, well done too to all of us runners, walkers, and volunteers who, since the day our parkrun began, on 6th March 2010, before some present young star parkrunners were born, have made the following amazing statistics a reality. At Lydiard (formerly Swindon) parkrun, 31,339 participants have completed 263,416 parkruns, covering a total distance of 1,317,080 km, and have achieved 39,702 new Personal Bests, with a total of 2,168 good people having volunteered 26,108 times. Plenty there for which to be thankful. And we are!



And if you want to know more about the whole parkrun story, then please note that the man who started it all, parkrun founder Paul Sinton-Hewitt, will be telling his story, with words and music, on Desert Island Discs on Radio 4 at 10am next Sunday 1st November. It’s a great story!



Not so great is the news that in two weeks’ time, on 7th November, Lydiard parkrun is cancelled, because fireworks prep takes over the park. Thankfully, there are other great parkruns nearby, the nearest and possibly nicest being Seven Fields.



The next time we can enjoy our own puddly course is 9am on Halloween Saturday 31st October. Maybe some people will dress up, scarily?



Till then, keep well, keep moving, and keep being faithful to parkrun.



Matt Holland

[email protected]

17/10/2026

Run report 754 17th October 2026

Having no idea where my parkrun wristband was this morning I obviously asked Saint Anthony for help. What it was doing in the fridge I’ve no idea but it made me wonder about other saints.

The feast day celebrated on 17 October is that of Saint Ignatius of Antioch who was martyred by wild beasts in the Colosseum around 107 – 108 AD. He’s the saint for throat diseases.

Hopefully none of the 478 participants on this chilly but dry day needed his help.

Runners have their patron saint, Saint Sebastian, a 3rd century Roman soldier and captain of the Praetorian Guard who secretly aided persecuted Christians. He’s venerated for his legendary physical endurance, stamina and resilience after surviving a brutal ex*****on by arrows. Was he helping the amazing 88 who got PBs today?

Walkers don’t have a universally recognised patron saint though several saints cover travel (St Christopher), hiking (St Bernard of Montjoux)and walking journeys( St James the Great official saint of pilgrims). But I suggest we go with Saint Augustine of Hippo as he championed walking and the journey of self-discovery – solvitur ambulando – it is solved by walking. How many of our walkers solved problems this morning – I managed to decide what to have for tea.

Saint Vincent de Paul is the guy for volunteers and a huge thank you to the 49 who helped today. It wouldn’t be possible without you all. If anyone can help out it would be much appreciated. Volunteers are also needed for junior parkruns on Sundays.

There were 58 people trying out Lydiard parkrun for the first time with 17 of them doing their very first run (or walk). Visitors today came from Reading, Norwich, Cheltenham, Cardiff, Stevenage, Northampton and Stroud. Saint Christopher is the traditional patron saint of travellers, visitors, motorists and drivers.

We were honoured to have Liz Smith come to complete her A-Z of parkruns with us – well done Liz!

Other shout outs:
Happy eleventh birthday to Willen Van Zyl doing his 10th run today.
25 runs: Carol Blackford, Mike Wojsznarowicz, Eloise Kitchen, Emily Blundell, Yvonne Garcia
50 runs: Alison Bowen, Balachandra Nathella, Jackie Rowe
200 runs: Harriet Haslehurst

There will be NO PARKRUN ON 7 NOVEMBER (the feast day of Saint Willibrord, Saint Engelbert – yes seriously – Saint Herculanus, Saint Prosdocimus and a few more)

14/10/2026

We’re looking for two volunteers for this week’s parkrun: one course marshal and one finish funnel marshal.

No sheriff’s badge, horse or law book required! Our marshals are just friendly faces keeping an eye on participants and helping everything run smoothly.

Could you help? Please send us a message via [email protected]

Thank you!

10/10/2026

Today’s parkrun took place in perfect autumnal weather, however we had to deal with multiple hazards on the course: low branches, cracks in the ground and conkers falling! Luckily all 458 parkrunners and 48 volunteers seemed to escape the dangers, nor was anyone spotted playing conkers.

We were joined by tourists from Wales (Rhonda), Bath, Black Park (London), Chippenham, Cirencester, Isle of Wight, London (venue unknown) and Pomphrey Hill (Bristol).

Milestones today included
Simon Lansdowne achieved 400 occasions of volunteering
Isaac Brownsell, Teddy Blackburn, Paul Driscoll (25)
Jo Wheatley (100)
Robert Priday, Ben Lacey, Johanne Murtough (200). Ben also achieved 150 occasions of volunteering today.
Congratulations to them all and thank you to Simon and Ben for all their hard work at parkrun and at Junior parkrun. Both of them were on duty as pacers today.

14 people joined us for their first parkrun, they were matched in numbers by 14 people who returned for their second time. Welcome to them all, we hope your Saturday mornings will include parkrun from now on.

First finisher today was Ben Cole in 16:33, with Taylor Goff first female in 24:22 at her first ever parkrun. Congratulations to them both.

Finally RD Emma let us know that Lydiard parkrun will sadly be cancelled on Saturday 7th November as we are told that the Scouts will need the park all day to set up the fireworks for the evening display…. Other parkruns are of course available.

In the meantime, see you next week at 9am on 17th October for parkrun #754.

Anne Ray

06/10/2026

Lydiard #752 run report

Before we start the run report a few words about volunteering. Parkrun, and junior parkrun, wouldn’t and indeed couldn’t happen without volunteers. We’re fortunate at Lydiard to have a dedicated group of people who volunteer on a regular basis. However there are times when there is a need for additional volunteers. There are many roles available including roles that can be combined with a run or walk. If you haven’t tried it pacing is an excellent way of judging your pace, 20 and 45 minutes are particularly hard to fill. Then there are funnel management, token scanning sorting roles as well marshalling. Please do consider volunteering, there are volunteer challenges on the parkrun app and a volunteer ratio to measure. If you’re really keen more Volunteer Coordinators are needed, the role doesn’t always include dog sitting. If you are interested please email [email protected] it doesn’t have to be a regular thing just the odd Saturday or Sunday, Junior parkrun, is always appreciated. More information here https://www.parkrun.org.uk/lydiard/volunteer/

Back to the run report, Lydiard’s 752nd event saw 474 people complete the course in what looked like it might have been the first wet event for a long time but just turned into a muggy run. 66 people achieved a personal best so the weather must have suited them. First lady home was Megan Rose (22:31 and a new PB) first gentleman Michael Passmore (17:32), best age grading Megan Rose (77.9%) and Kevin Smith (85.82%).

This weekend was also parkrun’s 22nd birthday, finishing in 22nd place was Connor Seabrook in 20:57 (would have been nice if he’d been 1:03 slower). The 22 is the “Master Builder”number and is considered the most powerful “Master Number” with the ability to turn massive dreams into physical reality. Maybe that’s why there were so many PBs. I also had a look back at Lydiard’s (then Swindon parkrun) 22nd event, when 87 people completed the course with a very familiar Run Director.

There were 72 first timers to Lydiard of whom 24 were new to parkrun. With tourists from Ashton Court, Chelmsford, Hook, Longrun Meadow, Taunton, Reading, Sutton Coalfield, Wokingham and Wootton. Of particular note were Derek Maguire and Liga Kuze, who are both deaf, visiting from Ireland where their home parkrun is Monaghan. They were sadly visiting Swindon for a funeral.

Milestones achieved,
25 - Matthew James, Ryan Brundenell, Rebecca Sibley, Louise Smith
50 - Rachel Hurt
100 - Millie Jacobs - 100 runs

50 volunteers - Matthew Thomson
Simon Webdale - 1st time volunteering (pacing 30)

Then there was Giles and Sarah who were doing parkrun before their wedding. Despite having our own running vicar they were getting married at 3pm in Christ Church (in Swindon not Dorset), so plenty of time to get themselves sorted out. I wonder if they’ll fit in a parkrun as part of their honeymoon.
So as autumn starts let’s look forward to some lovely cooler, and hopefully not too wet, Saturday morning exercise. Please don’t forget about volunteering, otherwise parkrun won’t continue. This event was supported by 51 volunteers who gave up their time to help the event run smoothly.
Mark

02/10/2026

22 years of parkrun. It only seems like yesterday.

27/09/2026

Lydiard parkrun 5k Your Way, Move Against Cancer Saturday 26th September

26/09/2026

RUN REPORT for Lydiard parkrun Number 751



What do you do the day before a big run, like the Swindon Half Marathon?



Well, on this beautiful autumn Saturday morning, many people chose to come to Lydiard parkrun, by way of a gentle and friendly warm up for the big one tomorrow.



Were you among them?



Certainly, Shaun Dodson was, gently jogging along and encouraging at least one weary runner on his way round. And back by the Forest Café, there was another half marathon man, Matthew Herring, helpfully scanning barcodes and tokens.



Whether you were at Lydiard parkrun, Seven Fields parkrun, or taking it easy before the big day, here’s wishing you an enjoyable, safe, and as speedy as you hope for Swindon Half Marathon! Maybe you’ll tell us here https://www.facebook.com/lydiardparkrun/?locale=en_GB how it was for you.



And we hope that today’s Lydiard parkrun went well for tourists from Abergavenny, Batheaston, Chipping Sodbury, St Neots, Tavistock, New Zealand, and South Africa. We love welcoming newcomers, first timers, and travellers from far and wide and hope their brief 5k stay with us is both enjoyed and memorable.



Certainly memorable and appreciated is the weekly work done by volunteers to keep our parkrun running smoothly. We thank them one and all!



Thanks too to 5k Your Way for showing up regularly and in blue on the last run of the month, with smiles, friendship, and support, encouraging any of us impacted by cancer to walk, jog, run, cheer, or volunteer at parkrun. Terrific!



Till we meet again at Lydiard parkrun, on 3rd October no less, the tenth month of the year (even though its name suggests it’s the eighth, which it was when the Ancient Roman Calendar did not include Jan and Feb) keep well, keep moving, and keep telling your friends about parkrun, a kind of church to some.



Matt Holland

[email protected]

A free, weekly, timed 5k walk/jog/run at 9am every Saturday at Lydiard Park in Swindon. Open to all ages and abilities. Organised entirely by volunteers. Friendly and fun. Join us!

22/09/2026

Run Report for Lydiard parkrun #750 19th September 2026

The Swindon Half Marathon is next Sunday 27th September, impacting volunteer numbers for junior parkrun. If you are available please consider helping out. Contact juniors at:- [email protected]

And now to the report.

There were 399 participants of which there were 15 new to parkrun. We were very pleased to see you and hope to see you again on the 26th. There were also 35 tourists, from Dinton Pastures, Eastville, Leeds, Leicester, Marlborough, Oxford and St Ives. We hope you enjoyed a change from your regular runs.

52 volunteers were also joined by a tourist from Chippenham.

31 participants found the conditions conducive to personal bests.

Alex Brain was first back with a new personal best of 18:10 and First female was Amy Cameron in 23:41

A Big Thank You to Rob and Callum, who stayed behind after the event to provide training in the use of a Defibrillator and how to administer CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation). Lydiard parkrun has access to two Defibs, one attached to the wall at the start point and a second mobile unit which is taken out to marshal point 3 (Colin’s Corner).

Milestones:-
Bart Wolski - 200 runs
Callum Dudley - 100 runs
Charlotte Blundell, 10 years, and her mum - 25 runs

With a special shout out for Graham McDermott for completing 500 volunteers (well 502), not only doing roles on a Saturday, but behind the scene tasks during the week. (I would say more, but a large bar of Dairy Milk did not appear in the fridge last night). Thank you Anne for the ginger cake.

Announcements:-
Julian's birthday, meaning he’s moved up an age grouping.

So, with the regular contents dealt with, I thought I would give a volunteer perspective of a Saturday morning, but once I started writing there was too much for one run report. So, I decided to concentrate on a couple of roles, and address other roles in future reports.

First we must acknowledge the work of the Volunteer Coordinator (VC), who during the course of the week complies the volunteer roster, which can be viewed at future roster | Lydiard parkrun
If you wish to volunteer email [email protected] You can also go into your personal profile and opt in to receive emails from Lydiard parkrun.

On a Saturday morning the first cohort of volunteers appear about 8:00am to commence setting the starting area and the finish funnel. A lone runner is dispatched to check the course for any potential hazards.

The RD (Run Director) is about taking notes about milestones, announcements, tourists and course conditions. The RD is ultimately responsible in determining whether it is safe to proceed. This week a member of the public reported a wasp’s nest, this needed to be investigated before the start.

Next time I’ll write about other roles.

Sarah McDermott

20/09/2026