Remarkable parkrun achievement is clinched by Robert Spencer at Fareham event

Robert Spencer broke through the 500 barrier at the Fareham parkrun this past weekend.
By The Sports Desk
Published 4th Mar 2020, 14:27 BST
Updated 4th Mar 2020, 14:45 BST
Robert Spencer is now part of the parkrun 500 club. Picture: Sarah Standing (143484-8211)Robert Spencer is now part of the parkrun 500 club. Picture: Sarah Standing (143484-8211)
Robert Spencer is now part of the parkrun 500 club. Picture: Sarah Standing (143484-8211)

A keen participant in events organised by the association, he has now achieved an unbelievable personal milestone.

Finishing 319th at the Fareham course, it was the 500th time the 60-64 age group category runner has crossed the finish line at a parkrun track.

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But Spencer was not the only entrant to chalk up a landmark in the event.

Runners set off in the Southsea parkrun. Picture: Chris Moorhouse (290220-16)Runners set off in the Southsea parkrun. Picture: Chris Moorhouse (290220-16)
Runners set off in the Southsea parkrun. Picture: Chris Moorhouse (290220-16)

David Mallard, who came home in seventh (19:41), completed his 200th parkrun at Fareham.

Adam Barlow was first across the finish line (16:58) while Julian Manning was second (17:40).

Andy Simpson completed the top three, coming home in a time of 18:25.

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n The top two in the Southsea parkrun both came from Portsmouth clubs.

Southsea parkrun volunteers with run director Grant Day (white vest). Picture: Chris Moorhouse (290220-11)Southsea parkrun volunteers with run director Grant Day (white vest). Picture: Chris Moorhouse (290220-11)
Southsea parkrun volunteers with run director Grant Day (white vest). Picture: Chris Moorhouse (290220-11)

Neil Collins led the way, making it home first in a time of 18:18.

The Portsmouth Triathletes member was followed across the line by City of Portsmouth Athletics Club’s Ryan Whatling (18:54).

n Lee-on-the-Solent parkrun celebrated their 250th event at the weekend.

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Launched in July 2015, the course has grown in popularity with runners across the near five years it has been running.

Neil Collins was first home in the Southsea parkrun. Picture: Chris Moorhouse (290220-10)Neil Collins was first home in the Southsea parkrun. Picture: Chris Moorhouse (290220-10)
Neil Collins was first home in the Southsea parkrun. Picture: Chris Moorhouse (290220-10)

Evidence of this was displayed in the New Year’s Day Lee-on-the-Solent event when a course record of 987 took part.

For the landmark 250th parkrun at the course, there were 468 finishers recorded with Rob Morgan leading the pack (19:03).

n Young gun Alfie Moth was in seventh heaven at the Havant parkrun.

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The home runner made it home first for the seventh time in 43 visits to this particular course (19:12).

Matthew Gordon was second to cross the line in a time of 19:29.

n Experienced parkrun entrants led the way at Portsmouth Lakeside.

Mindaugas Sasnauskas, now with 92 events under his belt, made it home first (18:04).

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He was pushed all the way by course first timer Dominic Murray.

Sasnauskas finished just one second faster that Murray, who completed his 301st parkrun.

Paul Mitchinson also completed the course in a time of 18:05 – the same time as Murray.

n Three first timers made up the top 10 in the Whiteley parkrun.

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Lorna Russell, making a maiden visit to the course, came home in third and was the first female to finish.

Another first timer, Andrew McClune, was fourth (18:11) while Mike Webber was eighth on his opening encounter with the Fareham track (18:50).

Related topics:FarehamPortsmouth

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