ONE of the runners at Melksham’s Parkrun on Saturday had travelled all the way from Australia.
Hal Cross was on a whistle stop trip to Melksham to see his new grandson.
“I only flew in this morning at 3am, so I’m a bit jet lagged, but this run should wake me up!” he said
“I run most weeks at the Parkrun in Cairns in North Queensland and decided to take part here in Melksham before going to surprise the family, who don’t know I’m here yet.”
Hal emigrated to Australia ten years ago after serving in the Royal Artillery for 26 years.
He was one of the 145 runners who observed a minute’s silence for Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at the Melksham Parkrun.
“It’s a very sad time but also a time to celebrate her extraordinary life,” he said. “I only heard the news when I landed in San Francisco on the flight over.
“I’ll be going to Buckingham Palace to pay my respects before flying home on Monday.”
