SPRING arrived this week on the Esplanade for Greenock parkrun’s 150th event. 

A total of 83 runners and 14 volunteers enjoyed the sunny, calm conditions that saw no fewer than 20 personal bests (PB). 

Four runners made their debut at Greenock this week, three of those first-timers to parkrun.

Less than 30 seconds covered the first three male positions, with Dylan Crawford being first over the line followed by Donald Ferguson and Brian McCluskey. Donald also managed a PB.

First female over the line was Abi Hammerman, followed by Cheryl Thomas and Julia Scott who both managed PBs in a close finish for second and third, taking around 20 seconds of their times.

Derrick John MacNish managed under 20 minutes for the first time, his third PB in a row, and Malcolm MacLean broke the 22-minute barrier. Billy Ferguson started a run of five parkrunners in a row who all managed PBs.

They were David Jenkins, Gordon Ritchie, Louis Bulloch and Darren McFeeters.

Laurie Donaldson had his first PB in 10 months, with Richard McGowan and Fiona McFarlane both taking at least a minute of their previous bests.

Sandra Devine took more than a minute off her best, Wenda Crawford smashed her previous best by nearly two minutes and Yvonne McLaughlin secured her second PB in a row.

Jacqueline Coyle got her first PB in 18 months and Robert McDonald recorded his first PB of 2017 and the 2,000th PB at Greenock.

Cath McDonald took over a minute off her previous best to go under 35 minutes and Graeme Hanna continued his good form with four PBs from seven outings since January. 

Congratulations to all who achieved a personal best this 
week.

This week’s parkrun UK theme is ‘teens at parkrun’ and the young people at Greenock make a positive contribution to every event - especially this week. First male and female finishers were both from the junior categories with Dylan Crawford and Abi Hammerman.

The only milestone runner this week was Alyshia Singleton who completed her 10th parkrun and also managing to equal her PB on her way. 

And showing it’s not all about running - volunteering is an equally great way to take part — Kate Austin, left, was taking all the photographs at the event as part of her Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Well done to all the junior athletes and volunteers.