We couldn't let July fly by without telling runABC South readers about the amazing over-80s (and over-90s) who made their eighth annual pilgrimage to the home of parkrun at Bushy Park.

George Frogley and Richard Pitcairn-Knowles started the tradition of octogenarian parkrunners assembling at Bushy Park on the first Saturday of July in 2017. At the time, 15 runners aged over 80 participated. This year, there were 117 unstoppable older parkrunners.

The top age-graded performance among the class of 2017 was achieved by M85 Eric Shirley, with 82% for 33:14. Shirley was a double Olympian (1956 and 1960) and three-time British 3000m Steeplechase champion!

Shirley was not among the 117 over-80s (including eight men and one woman over-90) who gathered on this occasion. However, the instigators of the over-80s annual gathering, George Frogley and Richard Pitcairn-Knowles, were present to witness proceedings and to participate at a gentle pace. It was calculated that the 117 participants had collectively clocked up 9,694 years of life experience!

All of the group received special commemorative medals donated by Yee Associates. World and Olympic Triathlon champion Alex Yee's grandfather, Albert Yee (M90), was among the recipients after he finished in 58:41.

Among the leading age-graded scorers at the 2025 over-80s gathering were W85 Judy Nutting (34:42, 88.9%), M80 Peter Giles (24:17, 88.74%), M80 Michael Johnson (26:16, 86.74%), W85 Helen Mellor (37:08, 86.45%) and W80 Doreen Abbott (32:04, 85.08%).

Meanwhile, Sue Garner came top of the age-graded results at Bushy Park as a mere stripling at W75, with 27:08 for 94.41%. To learn more about age grading, read runABC Coach Alan's explanation here...

Colin Lea (M80, 41:14) stepped in to organise the Octogenarians' Run. He and his family did a magnificent job at Bushy Park and everyone is looking forward to the next one on Saturday, 4 July 2026.

Full results from Bushy parkrun here.

Photos courtesy of Bushy parkrun news