Runner John goes the extra mile

Avid Parkrunner John Mitchell has reached a rare double milestone thanks to a well-rehearsed routine which has seen him clock up 250 runs and volunteering stints at the same time.

While John enjoys his weekly run at Colney Lane, he also makes sure he puts a shift in behind the scenes. He is one of the most popular faces, as the event “barista” serving teas and coffees to grateful runners  in the pavilion afterwards.

John’s daughter Hannah invited him to Parkrun in January 2018 as she wanted to get fit before starting her career as a sports teacher.

Having been an enthusiastic cross country runner at school and when he worked for Royal Mail in Northamptonshire, John was happy to accompany her and has never looked back since.

“Over the next few weeks we became regulars and you suddenly realise how much support you get from the marshals and volunteers around the course and also from our fellow Parkrunners. I was hooked.”

John decided that as he wanted to be sure that Parkrun continued Free, Forever for Everyone then he needed to do his bit.

“As I love the running I chose to volunteer for roles that also allowed me to run.

“Since mid-2018 I have been helping to set up and serve at Cafe Colney and again this is a volunteer role that lends itself to both running and volunteering.

“There are several others who also volunteer and run, at least six at Colney Lane that I’m aware of, and of course the tail-walker gets a credit for running and volunteering.”

SERVICE WITH A SMILE: John Mitchell, centre, and Colney regulars celebrate his 250 double with a cuppa. Pictures: COLNEY LANE PARKRUN.

He said the Colney Lane event is “exactly what Parkrun is supposed to be. A community that comes together every Saturday to exercise mentally and physically in a supportive environment. It is a joy for me each time I run, and yes even up the hill.”

John, who clocked 25:19 on his milestone run said doing the 250 double was easy because he has enjoyed every moment of his Parkrun journey. “I have met so many people that I consider to be my Parkrun friends. These marvellous people were so generous when I reached my 250 double. The kind wishes I received and the gifts were amazing. The time and effort put in to making three splendid/delicious cakes was somewhat overwhelming.”

He hopes to continue volunteering and running at Parkrun “until I shake off this mortal coil, which given that I’m only 63 years old is I hope, a long time off. Perhaps my final Parkrun could be in a coffin with six pall-bearers carrying me through the final funnel.”

John, who lives in Wymondham, was a driving instructor at 5DAY when it had a base at the Cringleford Business Centre on Intwood Road.

He developed a classroom-based car theory training programme which was rolled out to 17 training centres around the country and still works for the company.

He worked for Royal Mail for over 20 years, as a postman and in middle and senior managerial roles at various locations, and represented Northamptonshire Royal Mail at cross country events.

JOHN’S SATURDAY MORNING SCHEDULE

Up at 06:15: Drink some coffee and regret not getting the running gear ready the night before.

07:30: Load the car with running gear and any stock required for Cafe Colney.

07:35: Set off for Colney Lane.

07:36: Stop car go back into kitchen and collect my “Keepie Cup”

07:37: Set off again

07:50: Arrive at Colney Lane

07:50 – 08:50: Get cafe set up and complete any other role assigned for that week (eg funnel manager)

08:50 – 08:59: Listen to pre-run briefing.

09:00: RUN

By 09:25: I’m usually back in the pavilion serving teas and coffees.

And normally by 10:45 I’m on my way back home to Wymondham.