Parkrun

It happens every Saturday 

A rag bag collective of runners

On a non work day quite early

All walks of life from lawyers to plumbers

Gather to do their weekly 5K

Now I’m not judging, don’t get me wrong

The bodies on display all shapes and sizes

Some chubby and short some lean and long

A pooch taking its owner for a spin

A mother clinging onto pram and baby

Waiting patiently at the start line to begin

There’s the obligatory announcements 

With cheers for visitors and first timers

Three, two, one and all the contestants 

The good the bad and the beginners

Are off on their circuitous journey

There’s the sprinters who rapidly set off

Their bravado doesn’t deter me

Overtaking them later, I’ll try not to scoff

Then there’s the kids who have no right

Their little legs rapidly running 

At the third lap to be out of sight

A great achievement quite stunning

Then there’s the mothers meeting

Three portly women walking side by side

No deodorant needed, certainly not sweating 

But get in my way that I can’t abide

After much huffing and puffing

Some overtaking, the final straight is in sight

I’m feeling quite good, with very little suffering

A final flourish and my time is alright.