Park Runners - where do you run, what do you like about your run and have you done any really special ‘tourist’ runs.

[Ssasqueen]

I realise I’m being pretty nosy now - I’m wondering if there are others on the forum running near me I could say Hi to and if there are any really special park runs to try.

I’m in Tameside on the outskirts of Manchester and do #Stamfordparkrun in Stamford Park in Stalybridge. The course is nice; an extended ‘up hill flat’ followed by a nice down hill section. We run around a lake and through trees. There is an all important cafe in the park where the runners and volunteers go afterwards. I love how friendly it is and getting out to run with others in a space I wouldn’t really feel safe running on my own.

Steph

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

I live in Scotland Ssasqueen, however, I do think that there are many people on this forum who live and run at parkruns near to where you are, perhaps in the next few hours you will get a response for your post of meeting others near to where your parkrun is.

[Ssasqueen Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

What are the parkruns like in Scotland? Scenic I’m guessing but possibly a little hilly?

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to Ssasqueen]

Yes indeed Ssasqueen, they are very scenic but also a bit hilly as well, I have only been to one parkrun, Dunfermline which is a bit hilly, I have ran there 4 times, hopefully, next Saturday will be my 5th parkrun. There is a parkrun near me, Strathclyde which is one of the flattest in the UK, but it isn't easy to get to, although the one I go to is further away it is easier to get to by bus, other's although nearer are more awkward to get to.

[sTrongFuse Graduate10]

Like AlMorr , I'm also in Scotland. I'm very lucky in that I have two almost on my doorstep (well, a 10 minute drive to be completely accurate). One is through a country park which is very scenic and has a few gentle but prolonged inclines, the other is pretty flat as it goes around some playing fields (does still manage two short but steep climbs).

There are another three within about 20 minutes from me that I probably should try at some point so I'm pretty spoilt for choice.

Sadly, Saturday mornings are currently taken up running round muddy fields trying to keep odd-shaped ball chasers in order, so it may be some time before I move beyond the 8 park runs I've done since graduating C25K in May.

[Ssasqueen Graduate10 in reply to sTrongFuse]

I suspect you do more than 5k when running round after the odd-shaped ball chasers.

[sTrongFuse Graduate10 in reply to Ssasqueen]

It varies depending on the age group, but can be between 4-7k.

[JaoJao Graduate10]

I do my parkrun at my local Upton Court (Windsor/Slough). I’ve done 13 in a row, I love it because I roll out of bed and it’s a 5 minute walk and it’s a small parkrun with average of 200 parkrunners a week.

I have not started touring yet, saving that for next year.

[Buddy34 Graduate10]

I also live in Scotland, and my parkrun is all flat which is really quite good as all my runs during the week have hills and inclines. Also there is a large area that has ducks, swans and geese . 😊😊

[Coddfish Graduate10]

Hi Ssas, I am a bit of a parkrun veteran, I have run 157 parkruns to date at 32 different locations, but I don’t think I have been to any near you. 7 locations in the south east (including my home run of Southsea). 3 in the South West, they tend to be muddier and hillier! Loads of locations around London as I am a rugby fan and often combine them with a trip to Twickenham. Bushy Park, as the home of parkrun is not to be missed! I have only run at 4 locations in the north and midlands, and all on the east side. Most excitingly I completed 3 parkruns at 3 different venues in New Zealand on holiday last year.

Favourites? Most scenic was probably Sewerby in Yorkshire. Seafront and riverside parkruns are usually pretty good. The small scale ones (say up to 300 participants) feel a bit friendlier, usually. Tourism is always worth while!

[Ssasqueen Graduate10 in reply to Coddfish]

Fab - I’m spoilt as I can walk (or run) to my local park run so I have only been there so far. There are 4 or 5 other park runs at least within a half hour car trip so I’m keen to try those in the near future. Love the sound of running in New Zealand, beautiful place.

I’m off to New York in a couple of weeks and was initially hoping for a park run in Central Park but what I have found is an open run each Tuesday night in Brooklyn Park so I might try for that. brooklynbridgepark.org/even.... The only trouble is I arrive that day and +5 hour time difference means I’d be running at was effectively midnight- it’s a sign of how much I love park run that I’m even contemplating it.

[Coddfish Graduate10 in reply to Ssasqueen]

That sounds lovely. Parkrun hasn’t really taken off in the USA, I guess the culture around volunteering and free events is a little different.