Another great roundup of stats and achievements by Phillip Craig. Thanks Phil!
🏃 ♂️Monthly parkrun roundup – September 2026
📅 Event Highlights & Achievements
Saturday 5th September – Weekly Podium & Regional Turnouts:
Top Finishes: At Fountains Abbey, Liam Nolan took 3rd place overall in 18:54. Down in Denmark, Alex Miller (27:14) claimed the title for the furthest travels of the week, taking on Brabrand parkrun near Aarhus.
Pacing Masterclass: At Northallerton, Duncan Fothergill took on high-viz pacer duties targeting 30:00 and delivered a remarkably precise performance, crossing the line in 30:05! ⏱️Target: 30:00 | Result: 30:05!
Regional Runs: Anna Whitham ran 28:34 at Rothwell parkrun, while Liam Nolan completed Huddersfield parkrun in 26:00. Over in Norwich, Fitzmaurice parkrun was visited by Natalie Lyth (31:35) and David Lyth (32:05).
Saturday 12th September – PBs, High-Viz & Danish Double:
Home Turf Success & Pacing: At a soggy Northallerton parkrun, Julia Harland landed a shiny 26:55 PB! Duncan Fothergill paced the 28-minute group in the rain, while Phil Craig managed event set-up and the finish funnel while resting his legs for the Great North Run.
Danish Double: Out in Denmark, Alex Miller completed his 2nd Danish parkrun of his trip, bagging his fastest 5k of the year so far on a flat, fast tarmac and gravel course!
Saturday 19th September – Top Finishers & Local Turnouts:
Podium Places: At Northallerton, Isaac Myer finished 3rd overall in 18:40. At Conyngham Hall, Olivia Mulligan crossed the line as 3rd overall in 20:44, supported by Sarah Emerson (36:32). Down at Millfield, Bronwyn Mayo secured 2nd female in 23:19!
Top 10 Finishes: At Millfield, Richard Grant finished 6th overall in 20:12, while Liam Nolan took 8th place overall at Huddersfield parkrun in 19:21.
Strong Club Turnouts: Millfield saw a strong Harriers squad featuring Ruth Pollard (28:14), Josie Burn (29:56), and Ian Codling (59:24). At Northallerton, Isaac was joined by Julia Harland (29:05) and Richard Easby (41:39).
Saturday 26th September – International 1st Females & End-of-Month Squads:
First Female Victories & Top 5s: Out in the USA at White Lick Creek parkrun (Plainfield, Indiana), Cathy Knott claimed 1st female (5th overall out of 24 runners) in 26:42 running with her stepson James! At Oakey Park near Stanley, Co. Durham, Bronwyn Mayo took 1st female in 23:03. Meanwhile at Millfield, Liam Nolan took 3rd place overall in 19:02, and Isaac Myer secured 5th overall at York parkrun in 17:44.
Late-September PB Progress: Julia Harland continued her brilliant autumn form, sneaking another 5 seconds off her mark to clock a new 26:50 PB in ideal running conditions!
Club Turnouts: Millfield hosted a fantastic Harriers contingent led by Liam Nolan, alongside Richard Grant (24:49), Clare Gwillam (26:10), Nigel Morgan (29:54), Faith Coy (30:11), and Ian Codling (59:25). At Northallerton, Kirsty Naylor led the Harriers home in 24:16, joined by Julia Harland (26:50), Joe Joyce (28:37), Colin Smith (32:05), and Hugh Jenyns (35:04).
🏆 Milestone Corner & Celebrations
Course PB Progression Spotlight (Julia Harland): Julia has been on fire this month! After slicing time off her mark to land a 26:55 PB on 12th September, she backed it up on 26th September by sneaking another 5 seconds off to record a shiny 26:50 course PB at Northallerton! Perfect temperature and a gentle cooling breeze did the trick! 🏃 ♀️💨
Age-Grade Spotlight (Rob Burn): Rob delivered an outstanding performance, recording his fastest age-graded score of the year (78.26%)!
Personal Best Spotlight (Les Williams): Les smashed a new Personal Best of 20:05 at Millfield, claiming 2nd in his age category (VM55-59) with a massive 79.17% age-graded score!
Double PB Spotlight (Cathy Knott): Cathy smashed her target to break 27 minutes by securing a 26:26 PB at Millfield on 22nd August, followed by a 25:56 PB at Northallerton on 29th August!
🌲 Course Recommendation of the Month
Keswick parkrun (The Lake District): Recommended by Duncan Fothergill!
The Vibe: A scenic out-and-back route run along the historic Keswick Railway Path, starting near the old station and turning around at the iron bridge.
Why Try It: Run entirely on a smooth, flat tarmac pathway, making it an ideal course for a PB attempt while taking in stunning views of the surrounding fells!
🎯 Parkrun Challenge Corner
50th Unique Venue Milestone (Pete Jackson): A huge congratulations to Pete Jackson, who recently completed his 50th unique parkrun location! To mark the occasion, Pete wrote a blog post ranking his top 20 favorite venues across the UK and abroad.
📖 Read Pete’s Article Here: Pete Jackson’s Top 20 Parkruns (Substack Link)
This Month’s App Badge Stars:
🇺🇸Cathy Knott ticked off an overseas ‘W’ (White Lick Creek) in Indiana, USA!
🇩🇰Alex Miller ticked off a rare ‘B’ (Brabrand) and ‘H’ (Holbæk Fælled) for his Alphabet Challenge during his Danish tour!
🇨🇾Grace Rowland checked off an overseas ‘A’ at Akrotiri parkrun in Cyprus!
🌍 Harriers on the Road (Tourism & Away Runs)
White Lick Creek parkrun, Indiana, USA 🇺🇸(Cathy Knott): Cathy ran a scenic out-and-back asphalt trail in Plainfield, Indiana alongside her stepson James, taking 1st female (26:42) at a super friendly event!
Happy Valley / RAF Akrotiri parkrun, Cyprus 🇨🇾(Grace Rowland): Grace (22:26) completed a unique closed-facility track and trail course located at RAF Akrotiri.
Chevin Forest parkrun, Otley (Martin & Sharon Emmott): Martin (31:07) and Sharon (31:32) tackled the hilly woodland course.
Alexandra parkrun, Manchester (Emma McQuillan): Emma (23:44) ran a multi-lap urban park course in Manchester.
Grove Fields parkrun, Wantage (Tessa Grant): Tessa (29:59) visited a meadow and canal towpath course in Oxfordshire.
Peter Pan parkrun, Hull (Martyn Coy): Martyn (24:38) represented the club by the Humber Bridge.
Elemore Park parkrun, Tyne & Wear (Natalie & David Lyth): Natalie (30:47) and David (48:55) tackled an undulating course in a regenerated colliery park.
Belvoir Castle parkrun, Leicestershire (Nicky Hawkes): Nicky (39:47) visited the rolling estate grounds of Belvoir Castle.
The Cinder Track parkrun, Whitby (Connie Gilbert & Gemma Thompson): Connie (28:05) and Gemma (28:16) enjoyed competitive coastal running on the railway trail.
Lanhydrock parkrun, Cornwall (Liz & Chris Wordsworth): Liz (33:38) and Chris (35:25) visited this National Trust estate along the River Fowey.
Dreiländergarten parkrun, Germany 🇩🇪/🇨🇭(Pete Jackson): Pete ran Weil am Rhein (26:22) near the Swiss border, completing his warmup in Switzerland!
Brook Leys parkrun, Cambridge (Lazaro Mwandigha): Lazaro completed a course PB in 25:16 (5:03/km pace) on nature reserve trails! 🏃 ♂️💨
Oxford Tourism Almost-Run (Anna Jones): Anna shared her hilarious mishap of missing both her planned parkrun and the city centre! 😂
Regional Tourism & Away Days:
Oakey Park: Bronwyn Mayo (23:03 – 1st female).
Sedgefield: Nicky Hawkes (39:39).
Redcar: Gavin Coventry (26:02) and Hilary Coventry (27:04).
Temple Newsam: Vanessa Arthur (28:11), Adam Harper-Walker (21:19), and Pete Jackson (25:46).
Fountains Abbey: Anna Whitham (27:58), Natalie Lyth (29:32), David Lyth (40:18), and Richard Easby (44:02).
The Demesnes, Barnard Castle: Gavin Coventry (27:28) and Hilary Coventry (28:56).
Wetherby: Vanessa Arthur (26:12).
Darlington South Park: Colin Smith (33:06).
🎽 Volunteering Spotlight
High-Viz Pacing Masterclass (Duncan Fothergill): Big thanks to Duncan for taking on high-viz pacer duties across September at Northallerton (30:05 pacing on 5th Sept, and 28-minute pacer on 12th Sept)! ⏱️🎽
Pre-Race Set-Up & Funnel Management (Phil Craig): High-viz shoutout to Phil for handling Set-Up and Funnel Manager duties at Northallerton to support the runners while keeping his legs fresh for the Great North Run!
📊 The Monthly Stat Pack
Total Harriers on the run this month: 73 finishes recorded across September!
Combined Distance Covered: 365 km (226.8 miles) 🏃♂️💨 👉 Fun Fact: Combined, the Harriers ran far enough this month to race all the way from Thirsk across the border into the Scottish Highlands!
Unique courses visited: 33 unique parkruns across 5 countries (England, Scotland, Wales, Germany, Cyprus, and USA)!
Most popular Harriers spots: Millfield parkrun & Northallerton parkrun
Unique courses visited: White Lick Creek (USA), Happy Valley (Cyprus), Holbæk Fælled (Denmark), Brabrand (Denmark), Dreiländergarten (Germany), Chevin Forest, Alexandra (Manchester), Grove Fields, Peter Pan, Oakey Park, Redcar, Sedgefield, Elemore Park, Belvoir Castle, Cinder Track (Whitby), The Demesnes, Temple Newsam, Conyngham Hall, Wetherby, Darlington South Park, Huddersfield, Lanhydrock (Cornwall), Heritage Coastal Path, Brook Leys (Cambridge), Fountains Abbey, Millfield, Northallerton, Thorp Perrow, York, York Community Woodland, Rothwell, Fitzmaurice, Keswick, and counting!
Most popular Harriers spots: Millfield parkrun & Northallerton parkrun
