Now I have wanted to do a parkrun for ages. Some deliciously lovely folk on this forum have said to me that it's all great fun and I would enjoy it. But I am a total weirdo and need to know a few things before I venture forth into the abyss which IS - PARK RUN!!!
I'm one of those chaps that likes to know details about everything I'm about to do. It does drive my various employers nuts but I'm at that age now that I don't care about what they think - in my professional life I have someone who asks everything for me and sorts everything out so that by the time I venture forth into the unknown, there's a damn good chunk "known", known about the "unknown", so that the "unknown" isn't too scary - so to speak. This costs me a percentage of my income which is sh**, but it doesn't half make life easy for me!
Henceforth, my questions to you ;
1. Are most park runners all part of a club? What if you're a solo runner - like moi?
2. Do you have to register on arrival? What's the point of the barcode that you have to print out?
3. Are peeps friendly? Remember I'm in London.....the unfriendliest City in the world and as a result, I am always stern and never give off friendly vibes - UNTIL SOMEONE TALKS TO ME!! Then I'm a bloody chatterbox! It's the London way.....
4. What happens once you finish? Do you all go off and say "I say old thing! That was a jolly jaunt what?! Fancy a pink gin at the club?"
What is your first parkrun story? Did you chicken out at the last minute? Did you get a PB? Did you arrive drunk, straight from that cocktail bar that served three for one cocktails ALL NIGHT!!??
I await your most amusing comments with breath that is baited..!
Dan.
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Not amusing, but hope it will help you make the decision to join a local parkrun.
1. Are most park runners all part of a club? What if you're a solo runner - like moi?
I did my first run today and out of 170 of us at least 20 were first times and the majority did not belong to a club.
2. Do you have to register on arrival? What's the point of the barcode that you have to print out?
You need to register beforehand, on line, and print out your bar code. The bar code is sent to you by email. No code. No time.
You all start off together and at the end you get given a token. This is scanned alongside your bar code and hey presto your time is recorded. The email telling me my time arrived less than two hours later.
3. Are peeps friendly? Remember I'm in London.....the unfriendliest City in the world and as a result, I am always stern and never give off friendly vibes - UNTIL SOMEONE TALKS TO ME!! Then I'm a bloody chatterbox! It's the London way.....
The only ones I talked to were the ones at the beginning when I was saying "what do I do", and at the end, when again I said "what do I do". Friendly responses both times.
4. What happens once you finish? Do you all go off and say "I say old thing! That was a jolly jaunt what?! Fancy a pink gin at the club?"
At Kingsbury Water Park everyone went their own way - some home, some to the coffee shop.
What is your first parkrun story? Did you chicken out at the last minute? Did you get a PB? Did you arrive drunk, straight from that cocktail bar that served three for one cocktails ALL NIGHT!!??
I haven't got a funny story I regret, but someone else may have.
Hi dan, I've done one park run & I really enjoyed it . I had to register on line you recieve a email what contains a barcode , print it off & laminate ( then u can use as a key ring .) a Marshall scans it at the end of your run with this machine thing & then you get a text telling you your time . They where a friendly bunch at mine & I came last lol but they all waited I did it in 35 min . My first & last before the injury . I will definitely be competing in some more now I'm back in the game . There where a lot of Rotherham harriers taking part that day but yes you haven't got to be part of anything like that I put c25k down as my club . Give it a go dan you will love it .
So, a seed is germinating....but one correction, Parkrun is a summit, not an abyss!
1 Parkrunners are every shape, age, size and speed. Some are affiliated, although I suspect most are not. Of course you will be, because you will register your club as NHS C25k, to display your magnificent provenance.
2 You register on the website, print out your barcode and turn up at the start line, ready to run, with aforementioned barcode (preferably laminated for water/sweat resistance). At the end of the run you will be given a finish token, which you take, with the aforementioned barcode, to the scanning desk, where token is handed over, barcode is scanned and your time is in the system, soon to be sent via email to you and to your local run website, where it will be displayed for the astonishment of all and sundry.
3 I have only run in friendly Devon, Dan, where everybody talks to everybody else all the time and you can't hear yourself think for the cacophony. If you don't talk to anyone before you start, then I guarantee that a chirpy chappy like you will not be able to remain silent as you queue for the scanning desk, alongside other heavy breathing runners who have just covered the same sweat soaked course as you. You have a lot in common with those you queue with...you all run 5k in about the same time. The stewards are all volunteers and mostly runners, who will encourage you onwards and upwards
4 At our parkrun there is a tearooms, which opens especially for the parkrunners, so tea and crumpet is always on offer for post run conviviality. You will get to know people even though most folk head off to start the rest of their weekend.
I have only done four parkruns, but they have delivered two PBs.......it is the towing effect. What you have to prepare yourself for is your inability to judge fellow runners ability before you see them run. As I said, all shapes, ages and sizes and some will complete the course in half your time. I still smile when I think of the lad, about 10, who I kept passing all round the course as he stood and waited for some one, only to come past me again further on. He was alongside me on the final climb as we all plodded up the hill, nearly spent. Me laddo got bored with our pace and literally doubled it, disappearing out of sight in seconds, leaving us gasping in disbelief (and exhaustion). On age corrected time, one of the consistently fastest runners is a woman in her sixties, who is miles ahead of me.
Look at it this way, it costs nothing, is inspirational and will give you an accurate time for an accurately measured 5k and knowing you, a PB on your first run.
3. I will talk to anyone, and they talk to me...today in our new one, I turned to a man in a sweatband ( v Juicyju-esque) and said, 'its a bit long isn't it?' talking about the lead in to the start ( of course!!!!). He agreed, and we carried on chatting.....Darling..they will love you, and everyone is v v v friendly...
4. Yes...er no, you get yourself fully scanned...and in Bristol you go to the coffee place and chat, and people are lovely.
I am usually v v hungover...I have made friends with Geoff ( the organiser...we all always say hello, especially as Leon has left a number of coats there.!!!!..), A bloke once came up and said, ' I love it that you and your lad come, you push me on', the photographer always says 'hi' as he REALLY fancies my mate Nicole that comes sometimes ( She is v v beautiful with VV big tits...I love her, she is the best....). I will volunteer soon as I need to give something back... they will love you...just do it!!!!
Ok ok. I think I need you to be my co-Parkrun running pal. We can speak cod French all the way round the course....we can invite Nicole and her enormous breasts, we can drink Mojito's WHILST RUNNING and really freak out the other runners!!!.........sorry......***snaps out of dream***
I will do it. I just needed to.....you know....understand a few things.....as i say, I am a total weirdo with people in groups!
I've been to twice in London (well, ever) at Fulham palace - some people were apparently "in the zone" both before and after with stretching and whatever, but whoever I spoke to was friendly. Of the 130 runners today not many went to the caff - maybe 20. But everyone from the volunteers to other runners was perfectly nice and chatty - even when I asked stupid questions. they talked positively about wimbledon, Richmond and Wormwood scrubs PRs too - though you don't say where your local would be!? I have friends who love the Gunnersbury run too.
the rest of your questions have either been answered by others, or you'll find out next time on the day!! There's a lot to be said for not overthinking it!
Thanks gnimia. I appreciate your comments and you're absolutely right - best not to over think it. But that's the rub with OCD'ness......aaaaggghhhh!!!
As you know Dan I'm not good with crowds so one Saturday I sauntered up to the start line just after the runners had taken off. I started chatting to the time keepers and scanners who were very friendly. Runners I have found when not actually running are a bit like hill walkers, they love to share their knowledge and experiences. So that Saturday I picked the officials brains about the route etc. Once everyone had finished and gone off I ran and did the course for myself as per my usual, alone.
Two weeks later armed with bar code and dressed appropriately I did my first ever Parkrun, there were about 75 runners that Saturday, I coped (just) with the crowd having been to the loo several times before leaving home, I was so darn nervous, almost terrified.
So my first year with Parkrun was a great success, I got new PB's every time I ran which was about once a month, but weeks when I didn't run I volunteered for a duty, I really found a whole new bunch of friends.
Sadly Aberdeen Parkrun has increased beyond my capabilities were crowds are concerned, we have over 330 runners most weeks, I just can't cope with the start. I still do duties though, often a marshal or Funnel Manager. That for me is a very satisfying way to stay in touch, I hope one day we will get a second course which will be smaller then I can try running again.
Don't put off going, if you need more info then do what I did go and chat to the marshals while they are waiting for the runners to come in. Its one big happy family of all age groups and abilities, no one is made to feel alone and left out unless they chose to be left alone.
I'm already looking forward to reading your post on your first Parkrun
Dan you are a club runner! C25K club. You register for parkrun as a nhs c25k member. I just have. If you register as nhs c25k the results get posted on here
I think you should try one. Ours is very friendly and coffee is served afterwards so people can chat. I'm not really one for crowds but I did get a pb! Forced myself to run with a 70 year old man I met at the beginning - he was awesome!! Would like to do more but Saturday mornings after wine laden Fridays is not conducive to all that jigging about! Good luck and you will never know until you try!
I've done 6 parkruns now. I did my first in w8 and I am an addict.
My parkrun has a briefing chat about 300m from the start. I had read the website so was confused why everyone was crowding about at the bandstand, so I asked a lady runner there and she explained. We had a pleasant chat for a few minutes, then headed off to the start line. I started off almost at the back (of about 250 runners) but now I start about halfway in the crowd.
At the finish, which is a straight through the middle of our park (we lap 2.5x) there is the finish line, then a little distance along is a volunteer giving out tokens (your position) then a little distance along are usually two more volunteers who scan your barcode and token. Yesterday there was quite a queue here so I chatted to the lady behind me who I had sprinted passed at the end.
About a quarter of our runners are club runners and the rest have no club mentioned. There are usually about 10-20 first timers. I usually get lapped by the leaders at the 1&1/4 lap mark. Of my 6 parkruns, 5 have been PBs.
There is a local cafe when some people go, but I usually walk straight home for breakfast, after I have recovered a bit and done some stretches.
I usually get an email about 3-4 hours later although once it took 6 hours and there was a blip - everyone from 1st to last had exactly the same time of 59:59. It took another 2 hours for the website to 'come right'.
I would thoroughly recommend Parkrun. I've run 3 and volunteered at one yesterday. I have two near me and I picked the one with the flattest course. I also looked at the course on the Parkrun website so I had a rough idea. Yesterday a chap who was a first timer and very very speedy took a wrong turn. It was not a turn that anyone imagined that someone would take but I suspect there may be a sign there next week. He still managed to come in first at 18 mins something but all the marshalls felt terrible for him though he was quite relaxed about it. I go to Parkrun on my own; teenage boys all too hung over or still not home at that time on a Saturday morning and husband not interested. I am a naturally chatty person though (a bit too much I have been told :() so I have made friends. Some of us go for coffee and a cake afterwards. There are about 100+ runners of all shapes, sizes, ages, some triatheletes and some club runners. I had a go at being the barcode scanner yesterday - it was great fun. I was registered with Parkrun for about 8 months before I plucked up courage to go.
Dan, I totally understand where you are coming from - I decided at the beginning of the year I wanted to go do parkrun, to make myself run more. But how does it work, where do I start, where is the course, will people be nice to me, what is my barcode for etc etc.
So, one baby step at a time - firstly I liked my local parkrun on facebook, allowing me to "stalk" them for a couple of weeks. I read probably EVERYTHING on the website, studied the course in detail to work out where it was, how many laps etc etc. Then, bearing in mind that is is run by volunteers, I decided to message them and ask if I could volunteer at the next one - this is a great way to work out how it all works and meet people. They did say "are you sure you don't want to run" to which I said "I will run, once I've got my head round how it all works". They probably thought she sounds like a weirdo, but hey ho!
So I was a marshall the first week. I was at a corner in the course that happened to be not far in but also right by the finish line, so when everyone had gone past on the last lap I walked a wee bit to the finish line and pestered one of the volunteers timing with all of my (many!!) questions. He was really nice and helpful and by the end of bugging him I felt like I knew what I needed to know and anything else I could ask on the day or blag.
The following week I ran it. Now, this didn't go massively to plan as I left late, as OH was being needy and annoying and delayed me, so I rocked up having missed the first timers briefing. This stressed me out a bit, but realistically, through facebook stalking, website interrogating and volunteer pestering I had most of it covered. So I was a bit stressed setting off, trying to get my music and mapmyrun tracking up, but got there in the end. It was mid Jan, the course was a mud bath, I nearly wiped out soooo many times. Everytime the cold wet mud in my shoes would start warming up, I'd end up having to run through another puddle and be back to square 1. I got a stitch and walked a bit, which was really annoying, however, the amount of people who stopped to ask if I was ok, or yelled encouraging things as they sped past kept my spirits up. I made it round the course in about 37 minutes, which considering the mud and the stitch I was quite pleased with. My local parkrun always go for a coffee afterwards, but I haven't plucked up the courage to join them yet (as I don't really know them, and I don't know how it works etc!)
The next one I did, again with faaaar too much mud, I did 2 minutes faster (no stitch helped), and the next one (a couple of months later, due to injury and other commitments) I did a whole 5 minutes faster than the previous one, was VERY pleased with that. And the less said about the next one (yesterday) the better (another stitch, and I am still sulking).
I, like you, by the sounds of it, have the gift of the gab, I will quite happily yammer away to anyone, and I find myself just chatting to people during the run - eg one guy sped past me and someone else, struggling our way round, just into lap 2, and he yelled "lap 3 - WHOOP", and I looked at the guy beside me (who I didn't know from Adam) and said "did he just say lap 3?" *guy nods* "what a $&%@er!!!" and we had a giggle and a chat. There are loads of enthusiastic marshals cheering people on at various stages around the course, I often engage in a bit of banter with them - last week, knowing based on my playlist, that I was in for a PB, said to the marshal near the end, who had been really encouraging on my previous 2 laps, "smashing my PB, well chuffed" or something to that effect, and she was really excited and pleased for me. Suffice to say, no one bites, and anyone will chat back to you.
I am not part of a club (I didn't know till now you could put C25k as your club, I'll have to look into that!), aside from some people wearing club shirts, clubs aren't really noticeable - no one cares if you're in a club or not, it is not a kudos thing or anything. You're there, you're running, you're all part of the same club. If you want to join a club, which I am thinking about, people will quite happily share their knowledge with you, I have found out about a few local clubs that I am going to try out, as a result of chatting to random people at parkrun. Apparently you can go along and try out a few runs for free, without committing.
As has been said already, print out and laminate your barcode. Being slightly OCD as well, I bring more than one with me, just in case. Of the 6 you get, 1 lives in my car (in case I take my car one week, but I usually cycle), one lives in my wallet, one in my phone pouch, one in my bike bag, one in my trouser pocket, and I forget where the last one is. But that way I always have more than one that I can easily get to. Something I read mentioned putting on under the insole of your shoe, which seemed like a good idea, until my first run, which was so muddy I phoned the OH and asked him to leave me some carrier bags just inside the front door, which I put on over my shoes and got straight in the shower to hose my shoes, socks and trousers down, until the water ran clearish about 20 minutes later.
Generally after my local parkrun people have a chat, cheer on others finishing, help with the tidy up and eat cakes - there are ALWAYS cakes at my local parkrun, I don't know why, but there are. Then gradually people go to the coffee shop. If you don't fancy this because you haven't scoped it out yet you can always skulk off, which is what I do!
Lots of people run with dogs, so (if you have one) you could always bring your dog for company - more people will probably talk to you if you have a dog, though I wouldn't advise getting a dog just to do parkrun with! At my first one I overheard someone saying that so and so finished first, ahead of the person they expected to finish first, but thats because he didn't have to stop for a poo. I assume it was the dog that stopped for a poo though.
Your first parkrun is always a PB, as you haven't done it before, so what are you waiting for, you'll be fine!!! And let us know how you get on!
I've been to about 6 different Parkruns here in Australia and whilst they are all different, they are also all the same . -- and I would expect that this would be much the same in other parts of the World. There are fat and thin, young and old, fast and slow, runners and walkers - and basically everybody does their own "thing". You can have as much or as little interaction with the others as you wish.
We went camping over Easter - and lo and behold, I discovered a Parkrun just a little way from where we were camped -so I couldn't let that opportunity go by. I have found most Parkruns have been established in really nice areas of the local places that host them - in this case, we were on the Qld Sunshine Coast, running alongside a long beach. I wasn't too fond of the killer climb up the headland to the lighthouse at the half-way point of the run though - but I survived.
Hopefully we'll soon have a Dan blog first park run. It may be best to reserve your first run for a fancy dress day as you already seem to have the kit. As for the run just start slowly and then slow down. Subsequent weeks its important to strive to beat your PB so never set the bar too high to begin with.
My first parkrun i was burning up inside and just wanted to quit but due to embarrassment and personal pride continued and despite my fatigue found myself overtaking other runners - so thought that they must be suffering worse than myself which bizarrely gives you more motivation. My first run I expected a time of well over 30 minutes and was shocked to record 23.57 which is what running with the pack does for you. I find a parkrun actually complements and adds variety to your running activities. It motivates you to go out running in the week when you don't really want to as you know it will help you from burning up and dying on the parkrun.
Personally I do find park run also a great hangover cure for 2 reasons.
1) it sweats out the previous nights excesses during the run.
2) You begin to become competitive against your previous times and other park runners who always seem to finish about the same time that you actually limit or abstain from the falling down water the day before a park run in an effort to perform better.
The saturday night session is also much better after a PB.
Haha! Fancy dress? Now THAT sounds fun... But 23'57 is an INCREDIBLE time for 5K baronblaze! Amazing. You describe Park Run in a most enticing fashion - so thanks!
I'm a bit like you with regards to OCD! My mantra is fail to prepare, prepare to fail!
I had registered for Park Run back in October 13 but at the last minute, I'd chickened out. With life's knocks, my confidence has eroded some and I've become quite shy though if someone strikes up a conversation esp about running - I won't stop! I've recently moved earlier this year and have been running & exploring a new area. One Sat, I was running a similar time to the Park Run though I didn't realise it at the time, just thought it was a very popular morning with runners! Then another Sat that I was running I considered joining in, I even had my barcode that for some reason I regularly carry around! But sadly again I chickened out There were lots of people & I didn't feel able to join in. I wanted myself to improve before I did a Park Run which I now know is silly as there are all sorts of people who partake. Young, not so young, all different sized people as well as different fitness levels too. I know this as finally I forced myself yesterday to join in! My time wasn't great but a lot better than I expected so I am really chuffed! And it can only get better! I didn't talk to anyone (didn't come out of my shell) but with over 1100 runners at Bushy, I guess it was it was a bit impersonal opposed to the smaller Park Runs. It doesn't stop me going again - infact I hope to go again next Sat so wish me to pluck up courage to say Hi to someone!
Well done, aren't you glad you did it?! And you'll go back next time and enjoy it again, hopefully improve on your time etc. You've taken the first step, its all downhill now! But well done for doing it
Thank you! I am really pleased that I did it but just wished that I had the nerve to have done it back in October when I had originally registered or last month as I would be nicely on my way to the 50 club! So the moral of the story is for anyone thinking about it, don't delay - go for it! As I will be in an hour's time for my 2nd ever Park run.
I'm off for mine in a minute too. Only realised at the last one that its only kids that get the 10 shirt, that made me sad Though my partner offered to get me a customised one, along the lines of I don't care that I'm not a kid, I've still done 10 parkruns, go me! lol.
Hope you enjoyed your run yesterday. I was disappointed when I found out that the 10 club tees were just for children too! Shall we make our own?! Haha! I am really loving the Park Runs & I'm so glad to be part of them. It's lovely to see your time improve too.
Yea, it was good thanks, we had a tutu run, flickr.com/photos/66130960@... crazy!! I was just over a minute slower than my PB but the course was quite wet so I'm letting myself off on this occasion!
We should totally make out own tees, in fact, there's probably a market for them, shall we go into business selling them?
Love the tutus! What was the occasion? Or is it a regular thing? Yes the course was much wetter due to rainfall in the night. I paced myself better & managed to knock over 2.5 mins off previous time which I was really chuffed with. I'll try & not get too disappointed as won't believe my time will improve every week - it'll be nice! OH came to support & cheer, was very supportive though he did tell me I was beaten by Tigger!
MAny thanks crazykitty for your post. I so appreciate the time and detail you put into it. In fact all the responses on here have been magnificent. Good luck with all future Park Runs!
No worries you're welcome. I've enjoyed reading all the posts & questions that you & many others have posted so felt it was my turn to take the time to post my experience. I do hope you complete the Park run as you won't look back (except at the people that you leave behind at your super speed!) Don't worry about where you're going as generally you will be following / running with other people (which actually spurs you on!) unless of course you're Mo where you will be way ahead! Best of luck & enjoy!
Ok, well I 'll admit now to being a Parkrin addict - and trust me, you will, too! There is just too much for anyone with any form of OCD tendencies to like to make addiction anything other than inevitable.
Most of your questions have been answered, but there is more you can check out for yourself. Look up the website for Parkrun (you will need to go there and register for you barcode anyway) then look up your local parkrun. From there look at the results page - this will show you how many people run, how many are affiliated to running clubs, what type of speeds people do, age ranges - stats delight! You can also have a nosy at photographs to see people running previous weeks (I found the mix of sizes running very reassuring - I didn't want to be the only one that wasn't whippet shaped!).
There is no registering for runs on the day. The run manager should put out a call for people new to that parkrun to explain the route (but generally all you need to do is follow the people ahead of you!) - a pre run briefing will advise of any particular hazards and will hand out t-shirts (for 50 and 100 runs complete) and then you will be off. There are generally volunteer Marshall's who will cheer you on at turns or junctions (great feeling!) and you keep going til you are done. Others have explained about finishing tokens and barcodes. There is no necessity to talk to anyone if you don't want to - but I haven't found anyone that would not chat back if you said you hadn't been before.
Look it up on-line, bite the bullet and get running!
Very useful info here agedsnailspace for which I thank you. Have trawled through the park run site on many an occasion, but it's YOU people on here that provide all the "real" insight. Thanks again.
So glad you asked this. Have been making so many excuses. Once I made it to 5k I decided I wasn't fast enough. Now I'm trying Chi running & seem unable to control my speed (working on it though) & the consequence is I can no longer run 5K. One day I will do a park run. The answers here are all very encouraging. You may have to be my inspiration.
NOW - I know how to control my speed. It is not figuring out how to run faster or slower - as I can only run at one speed. I now know that I run however I feel like and when either my HRM or my GPS or my body tells me that I am running too fast , I slow down -- by walking for a little while. !! This way I can very closely determine what pace I want to do and stick to it!!!
But -- that's the theory . I went for a 6KLm run this morning and I wanted to do it at 8:30 mins per Klm -- but I actually did it at 8 mins per klm -- I am going to have to do a bit more walking!!!
Don't be put off that you cannot run the full 5k as there will be people that run, jog or walk it. I ended up running/walking it last Saturday. I hope to improve my time later today & next week & so on. My speed worried me too as I'm not particular quick but remember Race at your own Pace. You can also take a look at the results page for ideas of times. Good luck!
Thanks CK. I'm going to give it a go & when I'm actually brave enough I will post because that will make sure I do it. I won't back out then. Promise. Thanks for the encouragement. Every bit of encourage helps me a step nearer. Whereas it was unthinkable now I will be there one day. (soonish)
I did my first ever parkrun at Richmond Park three weeks ago, totally on my tod (I registered last year but didn't pluck up the courage to go for months). Would this be your parkrun of choice as you are local? Please do come along – I will talk to you! Seriously, it would be amazing to actually meet a fellow runner from this forum – name your day and I will be there with a friendly face and holding a pink gin or some other distinguishing sign.
Here are my Richmond-specific impressions: It was friendly, welcoming, not at all intimidating. I talked to some of the volunteers and other runners, asked them questions about what to do etc. They have a first-timer's briefing that covers this anyway. There are all sorts of lifeforms there including the usual superfast guys way out at the front, dogs dragging along their humans, people running with pushchairs and some very small, very fast children. Also I noticed folk leave their water bottles/fleeces/assorted non-valuables near the finish line before the run starts and the lovely volunteers will keep an eye on them.
The start can be a bit of a bottleneck, so if you're after a PB try and stand near the front of the pack or at the side and then nip out front past the main phalanx of runners. I briefly got stuck in the crowd at the back, not knowing this in advance. Everything spreads out when you reach Sawyers Hill 200m later however, and you can find your rhythm. There were about 300 runners but the only time it felt crowded was at the very start.
Your final time is when the marshals clock you going through the 'finish funnel' and give you a token. (It's not actually a funnel, just two lines of cones.) After you've got your breath back you queue up to have the token scanned in with your barcode, which gives you your official time. If you are scanned sans barcode you will show up on the stats as 'unknown'. People apparently go for coffee in a hotel on Richmond Hill after, but I just jogged back to East Sheen, whence I came...
What a totally fab post. Thanks TT. I have a choice where I live really - Old Deer Park or Richmond Park. I think Richmond Park looks much nicer and interesting course wise, whereas Old Deer Park (though nearer to me) is just 3 laps of the rather dull park.
I think I'm gonna bite the bullet and go along on May 3rd so lets see if we can high 5!!
Ha ha, just like me !! If you go to the Parkrun website and select you local Parkrun, look at their stats and you can see the number of club vs non club runners at your local Parkrun, you can also see all the times so know whether you are likely to be able to keep up !! All important info for me...
Just for your information and others thinking of doing a parkrun for the first time - our local run has people who take about 20 minutes and others take over an hour to do the course. Some run all the way, some walk all the way, some like me are in between. You can see all the individual results for all the different parkruns on the web site but I'm not 100% sure if you have to register for parkrun first before you can see the results. So, you can get an idea of where you will finish in the crowd. I was happy to come 77th out of 99 with a time of 44 minutes but I also had to stop and pick up poo (dog) a couple of times and stop for my dog to have a drink! However I've looked at some (usually with much smaller numbers of runners) and for some, the slowest time is about 40 mins.
I have found my next volunteering position with my local Parkrun. I volunteered for the first time today as a "marshal" - I think I know why they have trouble getting people to fill that position, it isn't the most exciting thing I have ever done!! BUT -- next time, I will volunteer to be the "tailrunner" , I think the qualifications are that you have to be happy to start after everybody else and run the 5ks in no less than an hour!!!
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I have joined a running club! I am now a member of the ‘Running Bugs’.
W9R3 graduation and park run
First park run done - now I feel like a runner!
Ooh, i think park run is next to my house now. 
Park run-is it just me?
