There was a devilish sense of fun at Charlton Lakes on Sunday 29 March as Andover parkrun celebrated its 666th event. Run Director Lewis Jones opened proceedings with a tongue-in-cheek “Welcome to hell,” setting the tone for a lively and light-hearted morning that saw several runners and volunteers embrace the theme with horns, pitchforks, and suitably sinister accessories.
Despite the ghoulish nod, the event was anything but grim. A total of 370 runners and walkers took part, supported by a dedicated team of 28 volunteers. One of the standout participants was Keith Whitaker, who marked his 666th parkrun — fittingly at Andover’s 666th event — in his usual quirky style, wearing mismatched running shoes and gloves in honour of his children’s Christmas gifts.
Andover parkrun has come a long way since its first event back in July 2011, when just 124 participants and five volunteers lined up. The weekly event now welcomes hundreds, with results often processed before participants have even made it home.
The 666th event saw runners travel from across the UK, including a notable turnout from Wales — with participants from Aberdare, Ammanford, Cardiff, Carmarthen, Chepstow and Porthcawl all represented.
Notable finishers included:
- Connor Wright, first male finisher in 17:55 on his parkrun debut
- Katie Parkinson, first female in 21:05
- Jenny Morrison, top age-graded performance at an impressive 91.50%
Several milestone runs were also celebrated, including Martin Hughes’ 250th parkrun, and Carol Lunn’s 100th. There were 14 first-timers and 14 second-timers — the latter group celebrated for tackling what many call “the tricky second week”.
Local running club Muddy Runners made a strong showing with 21 members, while Defence Sports & Recreation brought 9. Forty-eight clubs were represented overall — a testament to Andover parkrun’s community-wide appeal.
The event also highlighted the vital role of volunteers, whose encouragement, organisation, and behind-the-scenes work make it all possible week after week. For more details and photos, see the event post on the parkrun website.
Whether you’re chasing a PB, building fitness, meeting new people, or simply enjoying a walk in good company, Andover parkrun continues to provide an inclusive, supportive environment for all.