Ceri races into Parkrun record books (From Daily Echo)

Ceri races into Parkrun record books

7:10am Wednesday 13th March 2013 in Sport

Ceri Mitchell made a record breaking start to her Parkrun life.

The 30-year-old has been a consistent performer for Southampton AC over 1,500m in recent years.

Last year she won 1,500m races in the Southern League Division 1 at Andover, Milton Keynes and Walton, and also triumphed in the 800m on her home track in Southampton.

Prior to the latest round of free 5k Parkrun races, Mitchell –the reigning Hampshire county champion over 1,500m – had never competed in the series before.

But she was first home in the 36th Southampton event in 16:55 – the fastest time over the course ever!

Runner-up was another Southampton AC member competing in Parkrun for the first time, James Smith, who was 11 seconds adrift of Mitchell.

Another record was established in the race, as the 360-strong field was the highest number of runners ever in the Southampton Parkrun.

Another Southampton AC member, teenager George Butler, won the Netley Abbey Parkrun for the second week running.

In his first ever Parkrun the week before, Butler clocked 17.10.This time he improved by 12 seconds on his way to another victory.

Stubbington Green’s Thomas Macswayne was second, maintaining his record of finishing in the top two in all seven of the Netley Abbey Parkruns he has competed in – four of which he has won.

Teenager Sam Costley ensured a clean sweep of all three local Parkruns for Southampton AC when he won his first such event at Eastleigh.