First Tourist Park Run

[Chris141]

So having been on holiday in Southampton all week I took part in my 1st Tourist Park Run, my only run of the week.

Got there early wearing my Park Run Shirt and was just entering the park when I was immediately accosted by one of the organisers who escorted me to the start area. I was also warmly greeted by a couple of the other organisers who made sure I knew where the facilities were and other useful information.

A much bigger Run than Harlow with over 1000 runners this morning. Got off to a horrendously slow start due to the traffic but eventually obtained some racing room and managed to pull back a lot of my lost time

Harlow is reportedly the 401st hardest run in terms of elevation with a steep hill tackled twice. Southampton is 400th but the hill is only tackled once is on tarmac as opposed to a grassy hill at Harlow. To be honest I never realised I was running uphill. The rest of the course is flat and fast predominantly on Tarmac with a couple of stretches of dirt and gravel track.

Anyway I did as I said managed to increase my speed and finished with a very respectable time of 30.57, so very happy with that.

It was an enjoyable run made better by the friendly welcome and very well organised for such a large number of runners. A nice way to end my holiday.

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

There’s nothing like a bit of parkrun tourism to make a holiday.

Webreally liked Southampton common when we did a VRB meet up there, and I have never run with so many people at a parkrun. Hopefully you you were more protected from the wind there too.

Well done, and I’m glad the Southampton crew were friendly.

[UpTheStanley Graduate10]

Didn't realise you were running uphill? Didn't you notice the lovely long downhill k (before the last loop to the finish on the open field) either? My altimeter must be more sensitive than yours

I've only done it once, in late spring this year, but really enjoyed it too. And I agree the organisation is quite remarkable, especially the 200m finishing funnel to get to your token.

[Chris141 Graduate10 in reply to UpTheStanley]

I didn’t to be fair! LOL! Yea the organisation was superb. Got my txt before 11am too!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Ooo Chris, I loved that PR when we had our VRB meet up there! I liked the uphill section and loved the downhill afterwards.

Great time too - imagine if it hadn’t been so congested! Really well done. 👏👏👏

[Katnap Graduate10]

Agreed. It's a great parkrun at Southampton.

My youngest kitten got his fastest parkrun PB there.

[Coddfish Graduate10]

Congratulations! You have achieved level 2 in parkrun obsession. Before you know it, you will be collecting a long list of obscure events to add to your tourist collection. It’s nice to see how much they differ whilst all being fundamentally the same.

[Chris141 Graduate10 in reply to Coddfish]

HaHa! I fear you may be right! LOL

[Coddfish Graduate10 in reply to Chris141]

Level 2- finding new parkruns to go to when you are away anyway. Level 3 - taking account of the availability of parkruns when deciding on holidays or weekends away and adjusting choices as necessary. Level 4 - planning a trip wholly or largely around a parkrun opportunity.

[Chris141 Graduate10 in reply to Coddfish]

LOL!

[TailChaser Graduate10]

Southampton is a really nice course Chris, I got my fastest tourist run there and my youngest kitten got his fastest overall. It’s apparently the second busiest after Bushy Park and so well organised! Did you have pacers? Really loved having pacers! Excellent choice for a first tourist run!

[Chris141 Graduate10 in reply to TailChaser]

Ohh right. Didn’t know it was the 2nd busiest run! Thanks for that! Yes there were pacers! I didn’t use them though! Was more concerned about getting racing room after a very slow start! Then I was tanking! It is a lovely course and has had been said by many, very well organised!

[JaoJao Graduate10]

Sounds awesome! Well done xx

[Sandie1961 Graduate10]

It was my first tourist run too with all the above way back in April. I never even noticed any pacers 😂 Lovely course though and Dexy and I sprinted to the line!

[damienair Administrator]

Well done. I’m level 4 obsessed. I’d love to run in a parkrun that large. Biggest I did was Marlay Park in Dublin which has between 500-600 runners every week.

Damien

[Coddfish Graduate10 in reply to damienair]

I recommend a pilgrimage to Bushy Park. Course record 2011 participants, it’s usually 1300-1500 or so. Truly amazing levels of organisation, particularly in the finish tunnel.

[damienair Administrator in reply to Coddfish]

It’s on my bucket list. I’ll get the Compass Challenge done first. But yes over the next couple of years I plan to do Bushy Park

[Coddfish Graduate10 in reply to damienair]

I am working to get to 50 different locations at or before I get my 250 shirt. Currently at 35 and 160. Definitely level 4 obsession!

[damienair Administrator in reply to Coddfish]

Well done. I’m only a baby in comparison. I have 52 Parkruns done, 11 different events, and 15 volunteer days. Looking forward to flying over to Bristol in 2 weeks to run at Eastville parkrun and get my East on the compass challenge and my first UK parkrun.