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Runners remember town's 'Mr Parkrun'

Katy Prickett
BBC News, Northamptonshire
Carrol Weston/BBC Bob Emmerson wearing a green T-shirt, which has Silverston 10k 30th anniversary written on it in yellow letters. Carrol Weston/BBC
Bob Emmerson previously told the BBC he was a "proper, serious, ultra-runner" in his younger days

Almost 540 people took part in a Parkrun dedicated to keen athlete who died aged 92 in May.

Bob Emmerson, who was referred to as "Mr Northampton Parkrun", completed 537 of the weekly 5km running events at the town's Racecourse park, and volunteered at a further 53.

Many runners answered the call to wear green T-shirts, similar to the ones Mr Emmerson wore, and bring food to donate to a charity.

His son, also called Bob, joined in on Saturday, wearing one of the green Silverstone 10k T-shirts belonging to his dad and he said he was overwhelmed by the support.

Carrol Weston/BBC At least 45 people, a mix of men and women, lined up, mostly wearing green T-shirts. One man in the middle is pushing a buggy with a child in it and a woman is using a sport Carrol Weston/BBC
An average of about 400 people typically take part in Northampton's Parkrun, but 539 turned up on Saturday, many wearing green

Mr Emmerson, who died in his sleep on 27 May, kept active despite having both his hips resurfaced.

He was rarely seen at Parkrun with anything other than a distinctive green Silverstone 10k 30th anniversary T-shirt.

He took part in many other Parkruns, including at Brixworth Country Park, Daventry and Kettering, in Northamptonshire, plus ones in Darlington in County Durham, Market Harborough in Leicestershire, and Bushy Park in south-west London, where the first Parkrun took place.

Matt Bushell, co-event director of the Northampton one, said: "It was lovely to have Bob's son Robert back running at the event and to see so many Parkrunners wearing green - the colour of Bob's usual running top."

Carroll Weston/BBC Bob Emmerson (junior) who has short grey hair and a salt and pepper goatee beard. He is wearing a faded green T-Shirt which has Silverston 10k 25th anniversary 2008 written on it in yellow letters. Behind him is a large tree and parched-looking yellow grass. Carroll Weston/BBC
Mr Emmerson's son, also called Bob, ran in the green 2008 Silverstone 10k T-shirt his father usually ran in...
Carroll Weston/BBC A back view of Bob Emmerson who has short grey hair He is wearing a faded green T-Shirt, but most of its back is a gaping hole, while it the top is in shreds, so the black vest he is wearing can be glimpsed. The hole is largely covered by large photograph showing his father Bob Emmerson wearing the T-shirt, a cap, faded black shorts and running shoes. Behind both Bobs are trees and parched, yellow grass. Carroll Weston/BBC
... despite its back being almost entirely shredded through use

The 92-year-old was also a keen gardener at his home in Walgrave.

"The inspiration for 'Bob Day' was his love of handing out food grown in his allotment to Parkrunners on a Saturday morning," said Mr Bushell.

"It felt fitting to support the McCarthy Dixon Foundation with a collection of food for the most vulnerable across the county."

The charity supports people in the county facing financial hardship and isolation.

The mass participation 5km run celebrated its 20th anniversary last year having been started by 13 participants in London in 2004.

Carroll Weston/BBC About 20 men and women of a range of ages, and a boy, standing behind red plastic crates filled with tins and packets of non-perishable food. Most are wearing green T-shirts, and those with their backs to us have #belikebob written on them in white letters. They are standing on parched, yellow grass. Behind them is sky and leafy tree branches. Carroll Weston/BBC
Participants donated non-perishable foods in his memory

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