Longrun Meadow parkrun

Longrun Meadow parkrun
Event number 583
22nd August 2026
By Harry Bridges.

On what certainly felt like a cooler morning, appeared to actually be rather warm whilst running around the meadow. The meadow was extremely dry and dusty again this week, which is no change from the last couple of months to be totally honest!!!

This week we had an incredible number of participants running, walking and jogging their way round the course. Congratulations to all 540 of you that made your way from start to finish!

One of our regular parkrunners and volunteer, Denis Violet, welcomed an astonishing 91 first timers to longrun meadow today, we hope you all had a wonderful experience and we look forward to welcoming you again soon. Sticking with Denis, Denis achieved his 250th Run this week, whilst also doing is 62nd volunteer! Thank you Denis for being one of our amazing regular volunteer and parkrunner!

Today 70 people recorded new Personal Bests and a representatives of 50 different clubs took part.

The first 3 males are
Russell Yates - 17:03
Edward Salter - 17:15 (New Pb)
Richard Marriott - 17:28

The first 3 females are
Sarah Shepherd - 20:35
Emma Kiernan - 20:45
Sarah Capstick - 22:24

Milestones this week were:
Denis violet - 250 runs
Vicky Hanna - 250 volunteers
Craig whitemore - 500 runs
Monica Pancha - 25 runs
Kate Davis - 50 runs
Karen peters - 50 runs

Congratulations to all of you, and sorry if I have missed any! Searching for milestones in the results is a bit like looking for a needle in a haystack!!

I must give a specific mention to Craig Whitemore on completing 500th parkruns, who was presented with his milestone top by todays RD, the same way it used to happen when Craig started parkrunning in 2014! (Yes, I had to look through parkrun stats to find that)! So, a massive well done Craig, from all of us at Longrun Meadow! Enjoy your next 500+ runs!

The event was made possible by 26 volunteers: Michael ADAMS • Nic MONTEIRO • Linda PAYNE • Marcus ALBANO • Linda HOLDER • Kirsty HITCHENS • Alison WASEY • Joanne WATSON • David BRUNT • Duncan MOORE • Scarlett BURNELL • Rebecca WHITE • Vicky HANNA • Denis VIOLET • Nikki COULTHARD • Brian STANDRING • Nigel BIRLEY • Harry BRIDGES • Jakki MACPHAIL • Leo ROCHE • Andrew FORD • Gideon AMOS • Neil PIPER • Deborah DENNIS • Scarlett MACKENDRICK • Bill STEBBING

Sticking with the theme of volunteers, parkrun cannot run without our wonderful volunteers, each week Duncan Moore, works extremely hard to fill the roster, which is made even more challenging due to the summer holidays, so a massive thank you must go to Duncan!

Today's full results and a complete event history can be found on the Longrun Meadow parkrun Results Page.
Longrun Meadow parkrun started on 5th October 2013. Since then 22,745 participants have completed 179,238 parkruns covering a total distance of 896,190 km, including 25,806 new Personal Bests. A total of 1,609 individuals have volunteered 12,706 times.

Dear Longrun Meadow parkrun community,

As you know, parkrun events are free, and each week a team of volunteers gives their time to make Longrun Meadow parkrun possible for hundreds of runners and walkers.

Our core team works behind the scenes to ensure we have enough volunteers, maintain our equipment, and keep everyone safe. We also have volunteers who regularly check our first aid kit and defibrillator to make sure they are fully stocked and in good working order.

Recently, most of our spending has been on first aid supplies and, most notably, £252 for a new defibrillator battery. We also replace the defibrillator pads annually, or sooner if the device is used. All expenses must be approved by parkrun HQ and are reimbursed from our event’s cash reserves.

We frequently treat cuts and grazes and have occasionally sent participants to A&E with broken bones. Thankfully, Musgrove Park Hospital is close by.

You can view our donations and withdrawals here:
https://www.parkrun.org.uk/longrunmeadow/aboutus/

After reviewing our finances today, our event fund is currently in deficit at –£61.23. Our last donation was in February 2023.

Reluctantly, we are asking for your support. If you are able, please consider making a small donation to help us keep our defibrillator fully operational and our first aid kit ready for any emergency.

To donate, please visit:

https://www.paypal.com/donate?token=Ra9sAbUQyr6KvOFRJZhkNSFGl5IRek1LZTX_SP0tC7ls2XNtXU3fGBn2DhZ92v6ATUa3KWfAUDv6N0ja
and scroll down to ‘donate to this event’

Thank you for your continued support,
Jamie Hill – Event Director, Longrun Meadow parkrun
and the Core Team

home | Longrun Meadow parkrun | Longrun Meadow parkrun A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you! Nearby Sunday 2k junior parkrun events for 4 to 14 year olds and their families can be found here.

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Glasses found

Longrun Meadow parkrun
Event number 582
15th August 2026

Courtesy of tourist Jackie Law

Our parkrun tourism continued this week with a visit to Taunton and a chance to run at Longrun Meadow. Despite the name it was still 5k in distance, although the meadow was looking apocalyptic in places as, in a sign of the times, some ‘bright spark’ had decided to light a barbeque a few days beforehand and set the place on fire. Thankfully our overworked fire fighters were able to quickly bring the conflagration under control and damage was minimal. It was still a reminder to take more care in the continuing hot and dry conditions.

Temperatures this morning were, however, more comfortable for running in than has been the case recently – there was even a slight breeze first thing. We arrived in what we thought was plenty of time at the suggested car park by Somerset College and joined the other parkrunners trying to pay the £1 fee for all day parking there. The cash machine was out of order so it was necessary to use the RingGo app. After some faffing (as is normal with these things), husband managed to pay online. Others were not so successful and opted to move their cars elsewhere as apparently the fine for non-payment is hefty.
We then made our way to the gathering point under a wooden building in the meadow and could see the volunteers still setting up around it. As I wished to use the toilet facilities we headed out to the nearby Tesco (about a five minute walk away). On our return I was able to introduce myself to the Run Director and then get the obligatory photo by the pop up before placing my trusty Marshal Bear by the finish.

We had now used up most of our contingency but were still able to attend the First Timers briefing – an impressively succinct description of the course route and a reminder to stay left to allow faster runners to overtake on the right. The Run Director then gave his briefing, covering all the usual points plus adding thanks to the fire fighters.
The course starts a short walk from the gathering point and is seeded by expected finish times. As is often the case, not everyone placed themselves accurately. Longrun Meadow attracts quite large numbers of participants and the paths are narrow in places. This meant it remained congested for quite some time.

As someone who aims to finish in a little under 30 minutes I had placed myself by that marker. Given the crowd in front it was no surprise that the start was slow, although I hadn’t expected everyone to stop again when we reached the first pinch point and had to filter across a narrow bridge. After this there was grass to the side of what was now a gravel track – the start is on tarmac – so I was able to veer wide and get past some of the slower runners in front. I hadn’t quite settled into a comfortable pace when there was another narrowing of the track and I had to slow down again. This continued for most of the first lap after which the pack finally seemed to spread out.

The course is basically two laps around the meadow and is run mostly on gravel paths. I imagine it could get muddy in wet weather - clearly this is not currently an issue. It is pretty much flat throughout so those at the front have a chance to do a fast time. Being held up by the congested start, and at times by those running side by side along narrow stretches, it was soon clear I wasn’t going to break 30 minutes this week.

Nevertheless, the new venue could be admired and the friendly marshals thanked. The meadow may not have been looking at its best given the ongoing drought but as a venue for a popular community run it was fine.

Close to the end of the second lap the route veers to the right towards the long finish funnel. Everything here was organised efficiently and those in front kept moving forwards as directed to ensure people behind could pass the timekeepers.

This week 482 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of whom 86 were first timers to Longrun Meadow, 21 of these first timers to parkrun. 56 participants recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 41 different clubs took part.

The pack was led by Ryan Keane in a time of 16:27. First female was Deborah Whiston in a time of 20:05.

6 participants earned the right to wear a new milestone t-shirt. Congratulations to: Matthew Chivers (250); Alan Grabham (50); Craig Mcmanus, Arjun Ashok, Sharon Keys (25); Harry Webber (10).
The event was made possible by 27 volunteers:

Chris ABBOTT • Sarah ABBOTT • Nic MONTEIRO • Marcus ALBANO • Morwenna DUNSTAN • Jamie HILL • Katie HOWARTH • Sarah HOWARTH • David HOWARTH • Duncan MOORE • Louise MACKLEY • Miles PEARCE • Brian BANDYSZEWSKI • Vicky HANNA • Helen ROBSON • Andy GEORGE • Jakki MACPHAIL • Jack ABBOTT • Leo ROCHE • Jackie LAW • Andrew FORD • Sarah MELVILLE • Susie-Jo SELWAY • Isaac PICKARD • Matt COOMBS • Sarah KARUNARATNE • Alex BARTRAM
Full results and a complete event history can be found on the Longrun Meadow parkrun Results Page.
Longrun Meadow parkrun started on 5th October 2013. Since then 22,654 participants have completed 178,698 parkruns covering a total distance of 893,490 km, including 25,736 new Personal Bests.
A total of 1,607 individuals have volunteered 12,680 times. Thank you to each and every one of them.

FOUND

Let us know if this is yours - we have it safe

Run Report for 8th August 2026

Courtesy of Tourist Alice Bonness

Lovely morning for Longrun Meadow parkrun’s 581st event!

With 503 finishers & 26 amazing Volunteers whom without them - parkrun wouldn’t be delivered. Yay to hi-vis hero’s!

I turned up to the car park that is £1 all day, the machine wasn’t working but not a bother as I downloaded the app & got that sorted. Parking done and easy so….

As a tourist, I obviously hadn’t been here before, I do what any other park runner does… follow everyone else!

Longrun Meadow is very easy to find just a short walk from the carpark.

Straight away …I went and had a photo with the sign (Naturally) … I said hello & good morning to the RD Alison too.

It was soon time for the First Timers briefing which was conducted by Denis! It is so important to listen to these if you aren’t a local. Denis explained the course route & reminded everyone how congested the start can get… and of course watch your footing from the tree roots!

After Alison the RD welcomed everyone, lots of tourists & milestones!
we made a short walk to the start. They have signs where to position yourself based on your finish time. This really does help with the congested start!

And we were off… 2 lap course with the second being slightly shorter. It’s a lovely little trail route with part gravel and grass.
As Denis said, yes it is congested but it doesn’t take long before everyone filters out and you are able to find space and get your pace!
Marshal’s positioned in really important places - and were very supportive and friendly as your going along! (for me, personally… this is so important as it gives you such a boost and a smile)

Longrun Meadow is a very well organised event, the finish funnel was long enough & the barcode scanning system was great!
They even have a PB bell which you hear someone ring then a lovely collective cheer from others. Nice touch!

This was my 25th parkrun milestone and I had such a fabulous time.
Really recommend visiting this brilliant event … thank you team!

Alice - Hereford, UK

LOST PROPERTY

"Is anyone missing their top, left in the barn after parkrun today 8th August? We have it safe and sound".