Parkun 135 - Simon's 50th

5im0n 135 = (1+3+5)x(1*3*5) = 1^1+3^2+5^3 = 11*n^2 + 11*n + 3 for n=3

Good morning and welcome to Mount Barker parkrun 135. A lucky number with rare mathematical properties and you can read more about it on the pavement over there.

I’d like to start with an apology today. Last time I was in charge I said “Run this way until you see a flag near Bald Hills Rd, turn around it and come back” and then it turned out that there was no half-way flag; some people never turned around and for all I know may still be running. My fault, sorry about that. Our mystery elf who puts up the half flag assures me that it’s definitely there this time. Also, we are scheming about putting up a permanent half way flag with the Council’s blessing. Stay tuned.

Let’s have our usual check-up: Who is visiting from another parkrun? Where from? Who is here for a first time ever? Who is here for a second time?
Who is here for a third time? Let’s skip ahead to. Who is here for the 50th time?

Ah, yes Simon! Simon has done 46 parkruns at Mt Barker and 3 interstate, has achieved 8 PBs, the latest one being last week 22:46. His running journey started ten years ago when Simon had to do a fitness test for work and and received the result of ‘satisfactory’. He wasn’t satisfied with this, so he took up running and also weightlifting (which accidently makes a very good person to know if you are moving house). So here he stands today a member of the sub-60 City-Bay club doing his 50th parkrun. He is also a trend setter. Simon politely declined our offer for cake today, so we brought him a bucket of oranges to share with everyone instead. Congratulations Simon! Keep it up!

There are heaps of running events on the horizon. I know we’ll have representatives at tomorrow’s McLaren Vale half marathon and Operation Flinders. Is anyone doing the Coastal 7 in 7? That’s 7 marathons in 7 days starting at 0700am in Semaphore. I reckon the running will be the easy bit. Getting up so early would be the stuggle.

If you are looking for ways to fill your weekend with more running go to runsarun or the sa running calendar. http://www.runsarun.com/events/all_events.html

Big thanks to our volunteers, whithout whom there will be no parkrun here: Paul is our photographer Aimee is out timekeeper Tania is handing out the tokens Melissa is scanning them Peter is in charge of sorting them and cutting up the oranges Trisha is our tail runner I am today’s run director. And finally we have the mystery elf who put up the halfway flag.

Over to you Aimee. Let’s getting ready to parkrun!