When parkrun is a race with the winner coming last - YNWA! - Burgess parkrun #603 - 28/02/26

This heraldic panel can be found at the gates of Addington Square next to the tennis club in Burgess Park.

Last week’s parkrun tourism to Holywell George V Playing Fields parkrun led me learning about the King George V Playing Fields Foundation. It was established in 1936 to protect open spaces. The Foundation created 471 ‘King George’s Fields’ and a huge thank you to Kathy, a Burgess parkrunner blog reader who pointed out that part of Burgess Park was one of these 471 King George’s Fields, who knew!

Parkun is a run or a walk, but not a race. This inclusive approach goes to the heart of the event's appeal for many who turn up every week. There remains plenty of room for personal and friendly competition, and this Saturday, we were joined by 42 members of Dulwich Runners AC, a local running club. They descended on Burgess parkrun, in their distinctive red running tops with a horizontal blue chest stripe, for the first event of their 2026 Club Championship. Contributing to this week’s 702 participants, Dulwich runners would occupy the first four finishers of the day as they battle it out for club honours! 

Dulwich Runners at the ready. Photo credit Samuel Olara

However, the true winner of the day was Burgess parkrun regular Jeff. As today’s Tail Walker, Jeff was completing the distance for the first time since picking up an injury after doing the London Marathon in April 2025. Through his long road to recovery, Jeff has volunteered regularly, often on crutches, to boost his spirits. His triumphant comeback also coincided with joining the Volunteer 50 Club, a fantastic achievement and source of real pride for him.

Jeff joined the volunteer 50 club and completed the parkrun palindrome, which is finishing a 5k event in a time that reads the same forwards and backwards!

Parkrun embodies the spirit of my beloved football club, Liverpool FC, as every event has a Tail Walker. This wonderful volunteering role ensures that no one comes last, and for everyone who can’t run but wants to walk, there is comfort in knowing 'you'll never walk alone' (YNWA). 

In many cities, there isn’t an abundance of green spaces, but thanks to the George V Playing Fields, there are 20 such green spaces in London and perhaps locations for club championships or new parkruns in the future. 

Happy running, walking, or volunteering. 

www.nuhorizons.uk

You can read about how parkrun was created by the founder, Paul Sinton-Hewitt, a care leaver, in his book ‘One Small Step’, The Definitive Account of how a run became a Global Movement by clicking here.

The Dulwich Runners 2026 Championship events.