Festive Footsteps: Lee-on-the-Solent Parkrun Eyes Record Crowds for 2025 Holiday Dashes

As the holiday season approaches, the team at Lee-on-the-Solent parkrun is already plotting a double dose of festive fun. They’ll roll out their usual Christmas Day and New Year’s Day events on December 25 and January 1, both kicking off at 9am sharp. Organisers are quietly confident these runs will match, or even beat, the magic of 2024, when participants braved gales and still showed up in droves.

Looking back, last year’s Christmas Day bash drew more than 200 hardy souls to the seafront course, a solid turnout that set the tone for the year. Local lad Tommy Blake stole a bit of the spotlight with a personal best of 16 minutes 22 seconds, proving that even on a day stuffed with turkey, there’s room for a swift lap. Just three days later, on New Year’s Day, things ramped up dramatically.

Despite Storm Bert hurling rain and wind their way, 443 runners laced up for what the roundup calls a “cracking start” to 2025. Blake was at it again, shaving his time to 15:32 while rocking a flamingo costume that must have turned heads mid-stride.

Volunteers deserve a shout-out too. The core crew, including run directors Maggie, Pearson, and Cliff, kept things ticking over in all weathers, from blistering sun to that infamous Bert battering.

Families and regulars stepped up for barcode scanning and marshalling, turning potential chaos into smooth circuits. “Email us if you fancy helping out,” the team urges, noting spots fill fast for these high-demand dates.

With 2024 hitting milestone event 400 and celebrating the parkrun’s ninth birthday, 2025 promises more. Club takeovers from groups like 545RunClub and Gosport Road Runners added flair last year, and they’re all invited back. Tommy’s journey from a 36-minute debut to sub-16 glory inspires newcomers, while the men’s course record of 15:15 by James McCrae hangs as a tantalising target.

Whether you’re chasing a PB or just a gentle jog with mates, these events capture the community spirit that makes parkrun tick. Sign up via the app, and who knows, maybe you’ll be the one in the silly outfit next time. With volunteers rostering early, expect queues at the start line. Here’s to legs that last through the festivities.