GoodGym Brighton helped out at Hove Prom Parkrun this morning. It was crisp but clear and still, so I took the chance to try my new fleece-lined hiking trousers. They kept me toasty!

Empty seafront benches and railings on Hove promenade under a clear blue sky, before the parkrun runners arrive

The course is two laps of 2.5k. My marshalling spot was on the second half, so once the runners had set off in the other direction, the other marshals and I got ourselves into position. The rest of the prom had people on it, but for a few moments, until the fast runners reached us, it was calm, with an uninterrupted view out to sea.

Then the runners arrived. Last week the parkrun had to be cancelled because there weren’t enough volunteers, so it was brilliant to see the community hear the call and come out in force. There were 92 of us volunteering, and 782 runners.

This was my first time volunteering, so I took an easy role. I’m not sure I’ve ever been thanked so often by so many people! The other first-time volunteers I spoke to had an equally positive experience too. I’d recommend it if you fancy an uplifting morning.