Burgess Heros - Burgess parkrun #514 - 13/04/24
- aqasanu
- Apr 13, 2024
- 2 min read
Today was my 450th parkrun, not an official parkrun milestone however a very satisfying number to reach. My next official running milestone will be at 500. Parkrun events are all put on by volunteers. Parkrun provides volunteer milestones which mirror the milestones for running/walking. Today we were marking the official volunteering milestone of an individual who has done this 250 times, this is Burgess parkrun Event Director, Chris Raveney.
Chris started his parkrun journey at Burgess parkrun event #5 back on 20/10/2012 and like so many I’m not sure he could have imagined where his relationship with parkrun would take him.
We first crossed paths at Burgess parkrun event #18. Chris finished almost 2mins ahead of me however I strangely seem to remember thinking that the following week I’d see if I could keep up with him, which I couldn’t 😀
Such is the friendly comradery culture of parkrun I got speaking to Chris which has blossomed to us completing 281 events together, mainly at Burgess parkrun and sometimes touring together which has provided me with an insight into his parkrun journey that we celebrated today.
Having become a regular at Burgess parkrun and having done numerous volunteering tasks, Chris became the Event Director in 2014. From those early days of two-digit attendance, Burgess parkrun has flourished with nearly 800 attendees today, a team of 28 volunteers, the banana table and an uplifted welcoming vibe.
Chris’s parkruning has taken him to some incredible places completing events in Italy, Ireland, South Africa and Austria. Parkrun has also taken Chris to Southwark Cathedral where in May 2022 he received the Southwark Together Award, a civic award designed to honour volunteers who help make Southwark a better place.
Congratulations Chris on achieving this milestone and for all the hard work you do. May parkrun continue to take you to new and amazing places.
450! Hats off to you Aq!!! Amazing. I’ll be enjoying all of your write ups, up to 500 and beyond 😅
Sounds like park run has changed Chris life; quite an inspiration! You just never know what can happen to your life if you engage with intent.
Brilliant blog. Congratulations to Chris - what an amazing achievement. We bumped into each other at Austria’s parkrun. Well done to you on your 450th run. That’s also a fantastic figure. I’m so proud of Burgess being my home venue. Daniela B
and I forgot to mention that Chris also did the parkrun in Nambia and has the accoldae of being a first finisher at Marecchia parkrun in France.
As always I’m a super proud Burgess Parkrun ‘mum’ of Chris. His effortless encouragement towards regulars and visitors is priceless. Congrats ‘son’ 🤩👵🏽
Amazing achievement 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻