10 fastest UK parkrun times on 17th February (2024)

by thebestworldevents.com 18 February 2024 · Running

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Virginie Barrand and Kevin Campbell ran the fastest parkrun times in the UK this weekend (17th February).

Our weekly parkrun top ten is now sponsored by Vertebrate Publishing (my publisher) and here’s a link to buy my book on their website. They actually have a bunch of great books to choose from, especially the mountaineering ones, so don’t feel like you have to buy 1001 Running Tips.

The parkrun top 10 is a little late this week and it might have been easy to blame our team of carrier pigeons, but they have been as prompt as ever, it was just the writer going out for some cakes instead. Post long run priorities.

The quick runners were out in force this week with five women breaking 17 minutes and with a handful of GB vests between them it’s no surprise!

Virginie Barrand was the quickest with 16:29 air Aberdeen parkrun way up north in Scotland. The Metro Aberdeen runner ran a 2:35 marathon PB at Valencia in December so it’s no surprise there was a parkrun PB this early in 2024 for the French runner.

Kevin Campbell may have retired from professional football in 2007 but the ex-Arsenal and Everton striker has kept himself in good shape…Oh, it’s a different chap? Apologies. Scotlands Kevin Campbell was the quickest male this weekend, with 14:57 at Strathclyde parkrun. Given his last entries on POwer of 10 are from 2017 it’s a tremendous return to form for the 8:47 3000m athlete and it could be a speedy year ahead.

The best of the rest

At Pegwell Bay Olivia Forrest was next in the women’s rankings, just three seconds slower than Barrand, and in a parkrun best of 16:32, the U17 continues a stellar start to the year. With 10 races already in the calendar, highlights include two wins at the British Athletics Cross Challenge, Essex County Champ and South of England Champ.

Gregory Jayasuriya was flying at Albert parkrun in Middlesbrough with a 15:11 just enough to take second spot from Thomas Webb, who ran 15:12 at Poole parkrun. Both complete the podium this Saturday and it’s always good to be running well so early in the year.

Jessica Bailey of Leven Valley AC was third fastest female in Preston parkrun, with a 16:37. The 2023 mountain running world champ was third recently at the British Athletics Cross Challenge in London. Special mention for fourth in the list Anna Bracegirdle who is back in action with a 16:48 after an injury from running for GB&NI at the 50k World Champs last year.