Forest of Dean junior parkrun

15/06/2026

The roster for next week looks really good but if you have been missed, are in the wrong place or want to join in, please let us know below and we'll make some adjustments. Many thanks
✅RD Steve
✅Set up (x 4)…Andy, Dan, Steve
✅Pre-course check/cones.. Nigel
✅Warm up...Ebony
✅First timers..Steve
✅Tailwalkers...Dan and Tim
✅ Timekeepers X 2... Julie and Nigel.
✅Marshal 1and Finish Tokens..Lois Norman
✅Marshal 2 and Scanner...Mark W
✅Marshal 3...Kathy G
✅Marshal 4...Peter Woodward
✅Marshal 5....Stuart Lodge
✅Marshal 6...Rachel Beard
✅Marshal 7...Jenny Beard
✅Marshal 8...Chrissie Mortimer
✅Marshal 9...Olivia Hinitt
✅Marshal 10....Andy Thorpe
✅Photographer...Bob Cummings
✅Results processor…Steve
✅ Close down...Andy M, Nigel, Mark and Julie

15/06/2026

Well done to our 68 fantastic finishers yesterday, it was a beautiful morning for FOD Junior Park Run #502, thank you for joining us!

Finish token 62 has gone for a little wander, we’d love for it to be returned safely if possible 🙏

Finisher no 62 was Phoebe Voyce. If anyone knows Phoebe and her family and can ask them check if it snuck home with them, we’d really appreciate it 😊

Thank you the FOD JPR team

09/06/2026

Run 501

Sadly, there was no big party occasion like last Sunday’s 500th event, but we did have the return of Tim as Run Director, and good to see Nigel (‘Gandalf’) return too! The course had survived the midweek wind and rain well, and was in good shape, ready to welcome the enthusiastic gathering of 66 participants and 18 volunteers, as well of course as their energetic supporters (some running, some watching, but all encouraging!) After the wonderful photos that Bob provided last week, sadly we didn’t have a photographer this time around-we would welcome anyone who would be keen to volunteer!
So Tim began with his briefing which included handing bands out to Harry (11)) ; Josephine (25); and Jack (50). Congratulations to all three of you. Tim also mentioned that the award system will be changing over coming weeks, and we will explain that further in later weeks. Of course he thanked our volunteers, because junior parkrun can’t happen without them.

Tim handed over to Nemone our visiting volunteer who led the warm up. She is steeped in parkrun, much like our own Mark!! Nemone has completed 464 parkruns at 212 locations, but also has 594 volunteer credits at an amazing 245 locations, in 15 different parkrun countries. Nemone, thank you for your visit, and for leading our warm-up on Sunday!! It must have been effective because it inspired 16 personal bests, split evenly between boys and girls! Starting with the girls, congratulations to: Alana; Eleanor; Erica; Luna; Olivia; Sophie; Tabitha; and Thea. Among the boys achieving PBs, we congratulate Alexander; Angus; Arthur; Gethin; Jacob; Jasper; Jet and William, That was well run by all 16 of you..
Blue Sunday!
Last week we welcomed three first timers beginning their parkrun journeys, and it was great to see Billy and Bobby coming straight back for their second forest runs! This week we had seven first timers: Welcome Theodore and Camilla, as well as Charlotte; Daphne; Scarlett; Beauden and Finn. It was Matthew’s first time here too, but not his first junior parkrun, in fact he has already run 26-welcome to the Forest Matthew, we hope you enjoyed a change of scenery!
Our first finishers were for JW10, Connie, (4) , JW11-14 Ebony (9); JM10, Eli (1) and JM11-14 Alexander (-with a new PB), Well run!
Most experienced runners this week were Finley (94) and Ebony (171)

There has been a noticeable increase in our number of followers on Facebook over recent weeks, so if that includes you-thank you for joining us, your comments are always welcome..

Watch out for news this week for celebration news this coming weekend as parkrun will see its one millionth event completed! Amazing isn’t it, to think that since it first launched in London in 2004. It has grown to a global charity with over 12 million registrations and more than 2,800 events in 23 countries! Celebrations will be happening throughout June.

Finally this week there is the small matter of a ‘Cheeky monkey’ award but sadly the winner remains anonymous. He’s the young fella who skipped past us Tailwalkers , turned with a grin and shouted ‘ You two have got the easy job haven’t you?’ , and he was gone!
Have to admit it left us chuckling..cheek!!

Until next Sunday in The Forest…

Andy M

08/06/2026

🎉 We earned the emerging talent badge this week, recognising us for creating engaging content that sparks an interest among our fans!

07/06/2026

Abby is back in the hot seat next week and is still looking to fill some slots. Please comment below if you can help out.
If we have missed you, you are in the wrong place r fancy a change from your usual spot, please also comment below. TIA
✅Set up (x 4)…Andy, Dan, Abby, Nigel
✅Pre-course check/cones.. Nigel and Bella
✅ RD...Abby
✅Warm up...Ebony
✅First timers...Abby
✅Tailwalkers...Rachel and Andy M
✅ Timekeepers X 2... Dan and Nigel
✅Marshal 1and Finish Tokens...Lois Norman
✅Marshal 2 and Scanner...Sara
✅Marshal 3...Kathy G
✅Marshal 4...Jackie Read
✅Marshal 5....Stuart Lodge
✅Marshal 6...Malcolm Mortmer
✅Marshal 7...Jenny Beard
✅Marshal 8...Chrissie Mortimer
✅Marshal 9...Olivia Hinitt
✅Marshal 10....Andy Thorpe
❎Photographer..
✅Results processor…Abby
✅ Close down...Andy M, Nigel, Ebony

02/06/2026

It's Tim's second attempt at a comeback as RD this week, so please show him some love and support. There's still room for some more volunteers so please comment below while slots last!
If we have missed you, you are in the wrong place r fancy a change from your usual spot, please also comment below. TIA
✅Set up (x 4)…Andy, Dan, Tim and Nigel.
✅Pre-course check/cones...Andy M and Nigel.
✅RD...Tim
✅Warm up...Bella
✅First timers...Nigel
✅Tailwalkers...Rachel and Andy M
✅ Timekeepers X 2... Dan and Nemone Van der Bluake
✅Scanners. Chris and Jacqui.
✅Marshal 1and Finish Tokens...Becks
✅Marshal 2 and Scanner...Jacqui Wynds
✅Marshal 3...Jessica Boulton
✅Marshal 4...Kathy Griffin.
✅Marshal 5....Stuart Lodge
✅Marshal 6...Malcolm Mortmer
✅Marshal 7...Jenny Beard
✅Marshal 8...Chrissie Mortimer
✅Marshal 9...Susan Mountcastle
✅Marshal 10....Andy Thorpe
❎Photographer..
✅Results processor…Tim
✅ Close down...Andy M, Nigel, Sara, Bella and Ruby

01/06/2026

Blue Sunday!

Would you describe Sunday morning as a Red-Letter Day for the World’s second oldest junior parkrun- when ,at Event 500, the theme colour was blue as befits the parkrun milestone colour. But then you had the wonderful greenery of the forest and the usual mass array of colours worn by all…it was a spectacular scene that you can see for yourself from the many wonderful photos captured by Bob Cummings-thanks Bob!!
Would you believe our first event was held back in January 2011, when 34 finishers and 12 volunteers kicked everything off. Of course, Covid caused some disruption but yesterday showed how strong the recovery is. There were 78 finishers, assisted by 24 volunteers, not forgetting the enthusiastic army of friends and family who came along to run, walk and support our youngsters—a very impressive crowd!
The course was in excellent condition, and Abi gave the first timers briefing, before Run Director Jean gave her brief which included a thank you to the donor of an amazing (and delicious!!) celebration cake! Thank you so much from all of us! Next there were three milestone awards to present: Jacob G. and Jacob H for completing 11 runs, and Bethany for 150!! There are several milestones which are imminent in the coming weeks- exciting g times ahead! Energetic Ebony who had already been part of setting the course up, nor led the warm up, making sure everyone was ‘good to go’ before it was over to Jean again to set starters off!
We welcomed three first timers today, beginning their parkrun journeys: Billy; Bobby and Rex Hoping you enjoyed yourselves and will be back for many more forest runs! 9 others were first timers here but had run at other junior parkruns. Thomas and Matilda for example have 90 accumulated between the two off them! Welcome also to Oscar; Caleb; Tristan; James; Aurelia; Sylvie and Martha,
The 500 Mark obviously inspired many: 14 of you recorded PBs. Congratulations to: Cole; Douggie; Dylan; Edward; Eli; Emrys; Gethin; Sam and Thomas among the boys. Then Aubree; Cassie; Eleanor; Evie; and Piper for the girls.
Our first finishers were for JW10, Connie, (6) , JW11-14 Bethany (4); JM10, Eli (2 -with a new PB), and JM11-14 First Timer Caleb who led the field home in first position, Well run!
Most experienced runners this week were Harrison (121) and Ebony (170)

On a personal note, this writer returned from Whangarei NZ last year where I ran 200 parkruns, as well as many others throughout the country during many happy years in that beautiful country, Next Saturday Whangarei Parkrun celebrates its own 500th event. Having been there at event 1, 100, 200 and 300, I’d just like to end this report by saying congratulations to my old home runners and indeed to the new venue which has recently opened there to at Raumanga Stream Parkrun. Best wishes to both groups...
Until next Sunday jpr in The Forest, Go Well!
Andy M

31/05/2026