Derek nears his 100th Bognor Regis parkrun as a volunteer

VOLUNTEER Derek Winslow is nearing his hundreth parkrun in Bognor Regis.
By The Newsroom
Published 20th Feb 2016, 16:39 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 18:41 BST

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Bognor Regis parkrun loyal volunteer Derek Winslow offering his usual support to the runners in Hotham ParkBognor Regis parkrun loyal volunteer Derek Winslow offering his usual support to the runners in Hotham Park
Bognor Regis parkrun loyal volunteer Derek Winslow offering his usual support to the runners in Hotham Park

The former runner has established himself at one of the turns of the 5km Saturday athletics event in Hotham Park so much it is known as ‘Derek’s Corner’ to those who take part.

The races are a few months away from their second anniversary. Derek has missed just four because of an operation.

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The Aldwick resident will be 82 this Sunday but he has braved all weathers to help where the course leaves the park for Church Path.

He said: “I started coming because I had stopped running due to a knee replacement. I knew a lot of the runners through the Tone Zone Runners, where I’m president, and it was a way of communicating with them without running.”

Derek has a passion for the sport. It is his role to ensure the 200 or so runners and members of the public can mix happily for the 30-45 minutes it lasts. He encourages many of the runners, high fives a few others and exchanges banter with some as well.

“This is a great event. Everybody is happy and that’s what you want to see,” he said.

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One of the Bognor Regis parkrun race directors, Matthew Copeland, said: “Derek is our Mr Reliable. He gives encouragement and also a shout if there is a member of public on the path.”

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