Parkrun age grading bonus!

[Sybilw]

My parkrun was quite quiet this weekend so I came 80th and first in my age group but tbf there are never many of us - 2 this week I think. However my age grading is apparently relatively high and I worked out I was about 15th if you were placed on that criteria. Clutching at straws?!!! 😆😆😆

[LoungeLizaard Graduate10]

Sounds like something I would do!! lol.

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

The great thing about statistics is that you can always find something you like. The age grade column is great for us over middle age. I get joy out of being 1st in ,y age group, even if there’s only me. After all, I’m the only one who got out of bed 😂😂

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

The record holder for the age group I’m on the edge of is way over 90%!! 😨

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to Sybilw]

There was a lady who in the 55/59 age grading got 99% at Drumpelliier parkrun a few weeks ago.

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Respect!! You’d not want to be up against her - just watch and admire.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to Sybilw]

She wasn't there the day I ran at Drumpelliier, a pity as I was looking for her whizzing past me on the second lap. 😊 🏃🏾

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

I’m always worried I’ll get overtaken on the first lap. Not yet - as far as I know!!

[Runawaytrainer in reply to Sybilw]

I do, on my Parkrun! They thunder by like a herd of antelopes and head for home as I start my last lap! But the age grading is so kind, and in 9 months I go up an age group, so I'll be an even better runner! I guess it's just good we're out there at all, us older runners.

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to Runawaytrainer]

Beware! I go up a group in December but the age grading record for our parkrun is over 92% and - guess what - the runner is in that age group!! And it’s a woman. And she’s local although she does come every week 😅. Respect to her.

[ArthurJG Graduate10 in reply to Sybilw]

An age grade of 90% is considered world class. I do know someone with parkrun age grades around 90% and he has been an age group world champion twice, albeit at a longer distance than 5k, so that seems to confirm the claim that it’s a world class runner who gets 90%. To get 100% you have to get around a world record time, though of course it doesn’t count as a world record if you do it at parkrun because parkrun is not a race.

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to ArthurJG]

Only against yourself!

[ArthurJG Graduate10 in reply to Sybilw]

Yes, and even then, only if you want it to be. Sometimes I tailwalk, sometimes I pace, once I even used it for interval training. And sometimes I go for a fast time, but not every week. It’s actually not recommended to try to peak every week.

[Fabulous450 Graduate10]

Those are not straws Sybilw, they’re facts and evidence! Brilliant! That’s a fact too! Well done you!! 🤩🤗🤗❤️

[Sybilw Graduate10]

Thank you!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate10]

If we’re gonna be competitive with parkrun, age grading is the only way to rank ourselves... unless we’re teens/twenty somethings which most of us aren’t! No, you’re not clutching at straws, that’s what age grading is for... and it sounds like you’re doing great there.

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thank you. It’s strange that I don’t consider myself competitive!! 😆

[ktsok]

Nope. Just good mathematics 😂

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to ktsok]

I always liked maths!! 😀

[Silverfox1943 Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Hi Sybilw,

I'm sometimes quite chuffed when I get the results that shows I was first in my age category i.e. 75 -79, as I am often the only one. I started c25k last year aged 76.

However, there is 1 other sometimes in my age group and another over80 who beat me. I think they have ran for quite some time and are in running clubs.

So far I have not been in the first 300 but got close to that last weekend.

I'll perhaps start next time at the front instead of the back, because I have liked to give the others a head start.

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to Silverfox1943]

I reckon that club runners don’t count 😆 and that because we were brought up not to be too forward we’re always giving the others a head start!! Congratulations on your achievements though. I’m very impressed. You’ll just have to find a smaller parkrun to improve your position.

[Silverfox1943 Graduate10 60minGraduate]

🏃🐌😤

👍all the park runs are big up here.

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to Silverfox1943]

Maybe a tourist Parkrun some time then.

[qdec]

When does the age category change - I'm in the 65-69 band but will tickle 70 next month, and wonder when my age status will change for parkrun, anyone know?

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to qdec]

Parkrun knows your age so it should be just after your birthday. I joined the 65-69 one last December but as our course I’d muddy in winter I’ve yet to register a proper time in that age group. I still order my (not) parkrun that way though. 😆

[qdec in reply to Sybilw]

thank you