Junior runner Henry Forsyth seals first at Brockenhurst parkrun

FOR the first time, 15-year-old Henry Forsyth crossed the line as the first-placed runner, leading home a field of 218 people at the latest Brockenhurst parkrun at Wilverley Inclosure.

In mild and dry conditions, Forsyth finished one second off his parkrun personal best (PB) with a rapid time of 17:25.

Southampton AC’s Ellie Monks, the double course record holder, led the women home for the 56th time with a time of 17:57. She also set the highest female age grade score after kindly carrying out the pre-event course check for a 32nd time along with partner Andy Griggs.

However, sitting atop the age grade charts was M60 Julian Critchlow of Purbeck Runners, who is very familiar with the 640’ climb involved in the Durlston Country Park parkrun near Swanage. Critchlow has been first finisher 34 times in his 85 runs and has a superb parkrun PB of 16:37. His 18:48 put him in fifth position, compared to 20:54 last week when he was first finisher at Durlston, which is officially the hilliest UK parkrun.

Finally, the first girl across the line was W10 Amara Marden of Lymington Athletes on her fourth parkrun.

The 515th event had 23 volunteers – they were David Pink, Mick Anglim, Andy Griggs, Camilla and Paul Pearse, Charles Fox, Ellie Monks, Rosanna Fox, Alice Rudd, Ian and Julia Twaits, Pauline Breeze, Marian Oates, Jackie Ferrier, Keith Mitchell, Rosemarie Osborn, Victoria Miller, Kay Bunney, Oliver Eveleigh, Jack Prince, Laura Rogg, Barbara Walton, and Neil Harris.

Results: 1, Henry Forsyth, 17:25; 2, Jamie Sharp, 17:55; 3, Ellie Monks, 17:57; 4, Ryan McDonald, 18:06; 5, Julian Critchlow, 18:48; 6, Russell Hyde, 19:14; 7, Rachael Bartholomew, 20:03; 8, Unknown; 9, Jonny Tait, 20:51; 10, Richard Ballantine, 21:14.