THE 360th running of the Queen Elizabeth Country Park Parkrun on Saturday saw 105 people run, jog and walk the course.
Thirty-seven were first timers, six people recorded new personal bests and representatives of 27 running clubs took part. Storm Jorge had missed the park completely, allowing the runners to complete the course in the dry, although the course was wet and there were muddy conditions under foot.
Saturday was the Leap Day Event, where everyone was encouraged to wear some form of fancy dress. Lucy Marris was the leap frog of the day, Paul Wakefield was dressed as an American footballer, Marie Wiles had a froggy friend attached to her high viz run director jacket and everyone else appeared to have come along as Olympic athletes.
Visitors came from Southend, London, Rochford, Dunstable, Watford, Didcot, Leamington Spa, South Africa and Redditch. The first runner home was Southend Flyer Dan Slayford, who crossed the line in a time of 20min 46secs.
The first female finisher was Southend-on-Sea Athletic Club runner Annabel Matthews-Smith, who finished tenth overall in 24min 27secs.
The first junior runner home was Thomas Briggs, who finished fourth overall in a time of 22min 49secs.
The last two finishers were Ivor McQuaid and Nickie Sale, who completed the course in 1hr, 10min and 18secs.
The event was made possible by 14 volunteers who helped out. They were Marie Wiles, Graham Clarke, Dawn Renton, Ivor McQuaid, Lucy Marris, Duncan Johnstone, Grace Albury, Katie Reynolds, Neil Store, Tanya Roberts, Nickie Sale, Martin Groom, John Roberts and Robyn Store.