Hi everyone! I’m planning on doing my first park run on New Year’s Day (my birthday) but I have a couple of questions that I can’t find on the website.
1. How early do you need to arrive to get ‘scanned in’ and organised?
2. Do I need to carry my barcode with me for the end, or can I give it to my husband once I’ve scanned it at the beginning?
Sorry if these are stupid questions 🤯 Thanks in advance 😊
Hi there. You need your barcode at the end of the run, not before. There’s no scanning in at the start. The parkrun is likely to run a first timers briefing which will explain what to do. They may take place any time from about 10 minutes before the start.
When you cross the finish line, someone will click your finish time and you will be given a finishing token corresponding to your click number. You then take your barcode and finishing token to one of the barcode scanners, who will scan both (you leave the finishing token with them). Results are published on the site later in the day.
Please check your parkrun is taking place on New Years Day (some don’t and some have a later start). Overall, enjoy your run. Parkrun is great, and addictive. If I have one tip it would be to start near the back, unless you are super speedy, so you don’t feel jostled by the crowd.
Now see I’m glad I asked 😂 I don’t know why I thought I’d get scanned at the start! That’s great advice, thank you. My park run is definitely on on New Year’s Day thankfully - I thought it was too good an opportunity to miss... my one birthday wish! Thanks so much for you help.
Don't worry before I done it I had to ask questions as well as I also thought you got scanned the start.
If you're interested I got one of these for parkrun as knowing me I would loss the paper barcode
Ah yes I’d thought about getting one of those, but thought I’d better do at least one park run before investing in one 🙈 The paper barcodes are quite big. Can I fold it or will it not scan?
I'm sure it will scan ok
Good afternoon,
Congratulations on your first ParkRun.
What I have done is to get some of the clear self adhesive backing plastic that we used to put on school books. I bought a roll from a stationers.
Good luck!
Good idea! I have a laminator 👍🏼
They tuck into a phone case and keep flat and dry there, if you planned to carry your mobile.
Assuming you enjoy it, please invest in one of the options on the parkrun site. The plastic cards are inexpensive and durable (I have recently replaced one I have had for over 4 years because the laminate was starting to wear on the edges) and scan much more reliably than paper. A sweaty paper barcode that has been stuffed in a pocket or down a bra is a horrible thing! Especially for the poor volunteer who has to touch it to scan it.
Now there’s a thought!
Don’t worry, I will invest if I feel like I’d do enough park runs to justify it. My Saturday mornings are usually filled with ferrying children here, there and everywhere so I know I won’t usually have a chance to do them.
I’ve volunteered a few times with my local PR, and done the barcode scan role. Some of the tattered bits of scrap that are presented, soggy and crumpled at the end of each run make it through the scanner, so a fold should be fine! The best bit about PR is that everyone is there for fun, there’s no medal, and we all just do our own thing.
Good, luck, hope you enjoy it and become a regular. Where are you running? I’m up at Wendover Woods (in Bucks). Lots of mad people including my OH do the double here - Tring at 9 then run to Wendover for a 10:30 start! 😜😂
Hiya
Normally there is a ‘first timer’ briefing ten mins before the start. You don’t scan your barcode before running, at the end you will be given a chip which you take along with your barcode to be scanned once you finish.
Good luck and happy birthday 
Thanks very much 😊 it’s one of those things you’re not told until you’ve done it. I’ll aim to get there 15 minutes before so I don’t miss it then. Thanks for your reply
How exiting your first parkrun and your birthday as well . Be sure to tell us how it went. Good luck 🤗🤗
Thanks Buddy! I will 😀
Good luck with your park run and enjoy it 🙂 I’m doing my first one on New Year’s Day too and can’t wait 😂
Good luck to you too! It’s a fantastic way to start the year!
I'm sure that you don't have to be "scanned in" , but you do need to have your bar code so it can be scanned at the end. I am sure that someone else will give you a more reliable answer as I have only ever run 2 parkruns! Good luck and enjoy yourself on 1st Jan.
Thank you 😊
Just to add more possibilities, did you know New Year’s Day is the one day you can get two parkrun credits.......some run at 9.00am, then another local one may run at 10.30.........check out the Christmas compendium on the parkrun uk website.....
Whatever you do, have fun, and welcome to the parkrun family.....your new addiction......😉👍👏 an excellent start to the year..... you’re going to be brilliant!
Mx
Good luck for your first parkrun on your birthday, check the time, Saturday morning parkruns in England and Wales are at 9am, in Scotland and Ireland they start at 9.30, however, on New Year's Day, 2020 some begin at 11am, so check out the the time of yours Rhedeg2019, you don't want to get to the park at 8.45 if it begins at 11 o'clock, neither do you want to get there at 10.45 to find all the runners have gone home OR to a second parkrun nearby which starts at 11am.
In England the NYD doubles are locations paired up based on them being a short distance apart, with the earlier one going at 9am and the later one at 10:30.
Yes, in Scotland and Ireland it's 9.30 and 11am.
Some start at 8.30 too, in case 9 is a bit late for you after a new year’s eve 😁. Check out parkrun.org.uk/special-events/
Ahhh happy birthday for Wednesday and what a lovely way to kick start the new year!
First check your parkrun is actually holding a New Years Day parkrun, and also what time as some are starting later in the morning.
Arrive 20 minutes before, speak to anyone in a volunteer vest and ask if there will be a “first timers briefing” - this is a wonderful introduction to make you relaxed about your first go. If they do not have this, just lineup with everyone else at the start line and the run director will give a quick brief of the parkrun route.
Keep your paper barcode on you until the end! When you come through the finish funnel you will be given a plastic token (like a Tesco clubcard) and your will take that and your paper barcode to the scanning area. Hand your finish token in and take your paper barcode home!
You will get your results shortly after the run, usually a couple hours. Enjoy xx
Thanks very much 😊
Happy Birthday on Wednesday and enjoy your first parkrun. I’ve done 61 so far and I’m really looking forward to doing a parkrun double on New Years Day. I ran a parkrun on Christmas morning too so in 2 weeks I’ll have done 5 parkruns, with 3 bonus extra ones.
If you have a laminator just print out your barcode sheet from the website. You get either 6 or 8 barcodes, I can’t remember. Then cut out the individual barcodes and laminate them. I did this and I’ve never had any problems. I keep one in my car, one in my wife’s car, one in my wallet and one in my running belt. That way I never forget my barcode.
If your husband is going to be there to cheer you on you could just collect your barcode from him at the finish line and bring your finish token and barcode to the nearest volunteers doing barcode scanning.
Enjoy,
Damien
Wow! 61, you’re a bit of an expert then! That’s a great idea about giving it to my husband to hand me at the finish line. I’ve printed them off and my task is the laminate them today. Thanks very much for your advice
I’m only a parkrun baby. Some people on this forum have done over 200. Enjoy your run tomorrow. It will be a great way to Celebrate your Birthday. It’s also a great way to gauge your progress each week. The laminated barcodes are great. Mine have got wet and they still work great, it’s also great having a few stashed in different places just in case.
Damien
There is always a short briefing for first timers to parkrun and first timers at that particular parkrun. That should answer your queries. You can also purchase a bar coded wristband to wear to all events. Where are you doing your first parkrun?
Thank you. I’ll be doing it in Cardiff 😊
I'd be interested in your thoughts on the course. I regularly 'run in' to the Saturday morning Bute Park gang, but as yet have not plucked up courage to join them!
Happy birthday in advance for Wednesday.
New Year parkrun will be be busy as it is a special event, so leave enough time to get parked/travel as lots of people will be there to celebrate your birthday 🎂
My local starts at 08:30, and they are predicting the nearest car park will be full by 8:10.
I’m sure you will enjoy it, just run at your own pace and be warned they become addictive.
Thanks, that’s a really good point actually!
Hi. Lots of great advice already given . I just wanted to add that I didn't get on with the little laminated print out bar codes as they didn't always fit in the peculiarly sized pockets on leggings! Although I don't do parkrun that often, I bought the wristband and wear it for runs when I'm out on my own. It has my name & an emergency mobile number on it plus that I am asthmatic. Good luck for your first parkrun and happy birthday for tomorrow!
Thanks very much that’s good to know 😊
You’ve already had great advice from everyone else, but I just wanted to say well done for giving PR a go. I’m sure you’ll love it, and your Saturday mornings may never be the same again! It’s highly addictive and people are so friendly. 🏃♀️ 🏃 🏃♀️ 🏃
Please tell us how you get on, and happy new year to you! 🎉
Thank you. I’m a little nervous 😬 If I had a chance to I’m sure I’d be doing it every week 🤣
I’ll keep you updated 👍🏼
Absolutely no need to be nervous and I’m sure you won’t be the first timer. You’ll fit in just fine. Have tons of fun. 😀
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