parkrun round-up - Joyful Chant calls the tune

There’s been no winter chill for the Denmead Striders ace who has been revelling in the colder conditions with lots of fast times to get his year off to a memorable start.

An impressive new personal best of 17min 46sec was a reward to the care and attention he puts in to his preparations as well his dedication to training.

It was his first time in position number one for a parkrun.

He said: ‘I had a tip off from Brett Rumfitt (Southsea parkrun regular who represents Baffins Fitclub) the conditions were going to be perfect.

‘I knew I was capable of something good as in Denmead training I’ve been chasing Julian Manning.

‘It was good to get first place, I was buzzing.’

His time on Saturday was 30 seconds faster than his previous parkrun best of 18.16 which he set at Portsmouth Lakeside parkrun in December just before Christmas.

It was a fantastic turnout with 473 finishers for the 232nd Southsea parkrun.

Conditions were good for quick times and more than 80 new personal bests were set.

Emma Jolley finished first lady and was rewarded with her fastest time of 18.35 as her good running for City of Portsmouth in the cross country events over the winter has paid off.

Darby Allen and David Wands both reached the 50 parkrun milestone.

Southsea parkrun starts near Rocksbys Restaurant and is on Saturdays (9am).

It was the 95th event Portsmouth Lakeside parkrun with 274 finishers.

Holly Wilkinson, who runs for City of Portsmouth, was the first female finisher.

It was her debut at the Lakeside parkrun and she finished with an excellent time of 19.54.

Next was Liz Steward, of Denmead Striders, and then Sarah Ruby Rennison, who runs for Gosport Road Runners, and she was also running at Lakeside parkrun for the first time.

James Baker led the way as he recorded a time of 16.17.

Second was Paul Mitchinson in 18.02 with Rob Wilson third (18.20).

Portsmouth Lakeside parkrun will reach the century of events on March 24.

This will be another pacing event. This is just like a normal parkrun, with a few extra volunteers running as close to a set time as possible.

So head along to try and grab that elusive PB!

As Lakeside did even numbers last time out, they will pace to odd minutes this time, likely from Sub-21 to Sub-43 if enough people come forward.

Adam Barlow, of Portsmouth Joggers, led the charge as he took first position running and pushing his son Rex in the buggy at Whiteley parkrun (17.35).

Jhon Cosgrove, of Vegan Runners, was second in a new Whiteley personal best for him of 17.57.

Hampshire under-15 cross country champion Isabelle Hinkley had a superb run to finish first female in 18.37.

Nikki Roebuck was next with a personal best of 19.45.

In total 248 people completed the 5k at Whiteley Meadowside, including 47 first timers.