The only thing you really need to take part in parkrun

‘I have learned that you only really need one thing to participate: the humility to accept that you’ve just been overtaken by a fellow runner pushing a buggy.’ Photograph: Clare Jackson/Alamy

I was delighted by Alan Martin’s article on taking part in parkrun (I’ve completed 355 parkruns – here’s what you need to get started, 8 July). As a parkrun obsessive (252 runs and 126 volunteering sessions at 88 different venues) with a respectable personal best time of 20:05, I have learned that you only really need one thing to participate: the humility to accept that you’ve just been overtaken by a fellow runner pushing a buggy.
Ralph Fyfe
Newton Abbot, Devon

• Regarding Christian Wolmar’s article on large cars (Britain’s cars and SUVs are growing bigger – but there is a way to stop this deadly ‘carspreading’, 12 July), isn’t part of the problem that many SUVs are bought and driven as ESVs: emotional support vehicles?
Martyn Wilson
Malvern Link, Worcestershire