Parkrun novice advice please

[Archerygoddess]

Registration complete,barcode downloaded, but what's the best time to get there? Also, if our rather aged printer decides not to play, can I still run?

Thank You

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

You need to take your printed barcode with you to a parkrun, you can run but if you don't have your barcode with you even if you come first, only your position will be recorded, the rest will show as 'unknown'

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

PS parkruns start in England and Wales at 9am, in Scotland and Ireland at 9.30am, get there around 15 minutes before the start, if its your first, you will get a first timers briefing, good luck for your first parkrun. 😊 🏃🏾

[Archerygoddess 60minGraduate in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you. There's absolutely no chance of me coming first! I'll be happy with anywhere around 40 minutes🐌 Will aim to get there about 8.45

[JaoJao Graduate10]

You need a paper barcode with you. They will not be able to scan any other way.

Get there at least 20 minutes before, seek out the run director and volunteers (they will be wearing hi vis) and ask if there is a first timers briefing, if so it takes place 10 minutes before the parkrun starts.

I know this because I do the first timers briefing at my local parkrun and I love welcoming tourists and newbies 🙂

I hope you have a lovely morning!

[Archerygoddess 60minGraduate in reply to JaoJao]

Thank you. It's a bit less daunting if you have an idea of what's happening.

Looking forward to it🙂

[Buddy34 Graduate10]

As others have said get there a bit early and there will be a first timers briefing. You need a barcode if you would like your time sent to you by email a few hours after parkrun. I'm sure you'll love it.

If you do decide you like it you can get a parkrun wristband eventually. Good luck and come back and let us know all about your first parkrun. 😊😊😊

parkrun-barcode.com/

[Archerygoddess 60minGraduate in reply to Buddy34]

thank you

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

In addition to other advice, start near the back for your first parkrun and you won’t feel pressured to run too fast too soon. Once you find out where you are in the standings you can move up a bit next time.

Do thank the volunteers who are marshalling the course, they will be cheering people on for an hour or more.

Enjoy, but be warned you might become addicted to parkrun. 😂

[Archerygoddess 60minGraduate in reply to Dexy5]

Good advice. If I start too fast I might not finish!

[runwithdog Graduate10]

have a great time !

i THINK you have 2 options but do ask at the actual pr-----1. in the funnel stay in order and dont duck out even if you have forgotten the barcode.(ducking out causes problems when the results of places,time+names get married up)

or

2. if no barcode do the run but dont cross the finish or enter the funnel.

[Archerygoddess 60minGraduate in reply to runwithdog]

Thanks. Will run even if barcode won't print

[RunaroundSue Graduate10]

A couple more points.

Do you know where to park? At a new parkrun we always allow a little extra time in case of any problem, although that is partly because away from home we are in our Romahome and have to consider height and width restrictions.

Also, how far will you have to walk from the carpark?

Toilets - if you are lucky enough to have them at your parkrun, there may be a queue.

Other than that, I think you have already been given good advice here.

Have a great run, here's to many more.....

[Archerygoddess 60minGraduate in reply to RunaroundSue]

Thanks. Will do my best

[HeavyFoot Graduate10 in reply to RunaroundSue]

Very good point about toilets. I arrive at 8.30 to join the queue!

[RunaroundSue Graduate10]

Oh yes, join the other runners at the cafe afterwards, if there is one. We missed out on that when we started parkrunning but now it is an important part of our Saturday.

[Archerygoddess 60minGraduate in reply to RunaroundSue]

Thanks. Will do if they haven't all gone home by the time I finish!

[RunaroundSue Graduate10 in reply to Archerygoddess]

They will still be there. The volunteer team usually go in to upload the barcode data.

[Chris141 Graduate10]

You got all the advice! Enjoy the run! If you make yourself known they will look after you. I frequently do the 1st timers briefing at ours and I love looking after the newbies and tourists. They should be around to answer any additional questions you have after the briefing to!

[lardofale Graduate10]

All of the above! The most important thing is to enjoy the experience. I did my first one 2 weeks after graduating from Couch to 5k and was nervous and apprehensive. Today is my 115th... 😉

[grumpyoldgirl]

Just looked at the time and you'll be just about finishing now, hope it went well. I'm sure it did and you'll be feeling fantastic... In about 5 minutes when you've recovered 😁🎉

[Archerygoddess 60minGraduate in reply to grumpyoldgirl]

Loved it, thanks! Feeling great now I've finished

[runwithdog Graduate10]

how did you get on? hope you had fun.

[Archerygoddess 60minGraduate in reply to runwithdog]

Had a great run thanks and a quick time (for me). I'm chuffed

[runwithdog Graduate10 in reply to Archerygoddess]

well done,yes i find the crowd always pulls you along

[hansielouw]

Your first parkrun should be over and done by now. What was it like?

[Archerygoddess 60minGraduate in reply to hansielouw]

Thanks for asking. Ran without my app talking to me and I found it hard not knowing how far I'd gone, but enjoyed it and got a pb! It will be easier next time I hope, but I'm not expecting a pb every time