Speaking as someone who has never done a park run, having seen two really negative reviews here in the last two weeks, is there any way we could have a 'sticky' post that highlights the best of the park runs out there? There are 14 thousand of us on here and that's got to count for something. You want your Park Run to attract a few elite runners and be cliquey-cliquey? Carry on the way your going. You want your Park Run to set an example for the average runner like most of us that make us feel welcome, then we're listening.
I enter paid-for events because I know they will be obliged to have the right facilities. I'd also like to do some less formal runs, but only if they cater for the ordinary guy or girl like us.
What do you think?
Written by
Rob_and_his_westie
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I think that's a really good idea, especially as I am planning to sign up with my partner as soon as I can go the distance as there's one that's quite local to us.
The great thing about Parkrun is that you don't even need to be able to run 5k to do one. Last year the entire organisation worldwide changed the name of the volunteer whose job it is to bring up the rear from Tail Runner to Tail Walker. You can turn up and walk the whole thing and gradually build up the running.
I've done 3 different Park Run locations - Carlisle, Bushey Park and Richmond Park and found that they do tell the newbie what to do, describe the course etc. My times are very much towards the back of the field but the volunteers have always been really supportive and I have not felt that slow people cannot attend. I also think it is good to look at the page related to your particular run before you go, it shows the course, describes what the terrain is like and you can see the previous results to judge where you are likely to finish.
Yes there are some very fast runners at the front (most noticeable in those Park Runs where you are doing laps -cos you do get lapped) but we have to be realistic and not try and run with them from the start gun.
I think it is such a worthwhile weekly event that we should not be put off by them. Wish my nearest at Carlisle was closer than a 70 mile round trip because my attendance is not very often.
Exactly parkrun is great i am not fast everyone is welcome please read the course info this time of year the ground is not dry you will get mud and leaves parkrun keeps me from gaining weight starts the weekend off with you feeling good .
c4ts, I really think that these exercises are for everybody and especially the slow ones who have never run.
I go to the gym to do my c2 5k, because I've got lung rpoblems and wouldn't be able to run in this weather in the park. But I too see at the gym some athletes who lift really heavy weights. I stay humble and just do my exercises. I know that I have improved over the years. I could hardly run for 2 minutes on the treadmill a few years ago. Now I am enjoying my couch to five K without too much difficulty. You are where you are at; there's no shame in that. So be self-confident, You are you and a good star too, because you've braved those first steps and done them. don't worry who passes you by lap after lap. Just say hello and do your best to yourself. That is all that counts. It's not a race, It's an improvement course. By Jove, you've already improved so much! keep it up with your head high!
I did the Hull Parkrun as my week 7 run 3. I have also volunteered there. I found it to be very friendly, especially to me as a newbie. Also had a good chat over a cuppa afterwards. I got a slow time of 42 mins but will definitely be back to try and improve on it. You could always attend as a volunteer first so you can see what you will be letting yourself in for (and it would be appreciated by the Parkrun organisers). I think it is quite an adjustment from running alone to being with several hundred people. It may help to find someone to run with you at a similar pace (a C25k person perhaps) ?
I haven't done a park run yet, but wonder if checking the results page of the nearest one will give a good indication of how fast or not they are going to be. Mine seems to have every sort of finisher from fast to more relaxed (15 mins to 50), so not really an excuse for me STILL not to have done it!
That is a very good idea. Also you can see approximately how many people will be running at about your speed, it also helps if you can go with someone or if you know someone who is also running there. I have done Rushmoor (Aldershot), Alice Holt, and Ashton Court and have felt comfortable at all of them.
Well, Rushmoor is two laps, nice and flat, free parking , good loos but you really have to drive to the cafe. Alice Holt is two laps through the woods, you have to pay to park, good loos and cafe right by the start/finish, quite up and down and harder. I have a colleague who does Guildford and says its 3 laps and quite flat. (I guess with 3 laps you would get caught by the front runners) can't comment on the parking or loos ! Maybe see you around ?
Thanks for that. Be lovely to do a flat run for a change! Unless I want to run in very small circles here, everywhere involves a down and then an up of about 100m total. Probably hardened hill runners will think this a mere pimple but I find it a bit of a challenge still.
I think Zev1963's comment is crucial Rob. Two people can have a very different experience on the same day and I don't think we should write off any parkrun event because one of us had a bad experience. I have only attended Killerton parkrun in Devon and found it friendly and inspiring.
Sure, but let's say that the typical runner here who wants to do a Park Run has been through C25K and now wants to feel welcome at an event that reaches out to anyone who can run 5k in under, I don't know... 35 minutes? The point is that they should feel welcome and encouraged and not intimidated or belittled.
I love my park run as it caters for everybody and cheers every last person at the end. There are buggies, children, dogs, older folk and a real sense of a fun event. Its a beautiful course with deer, views of the city and treesEveryone meets for coffee afterwards and there are also nice loos! Only downside is the car park which is £1.20. We could do with some help from HU to have a section for Parkrun reviews.... perhaps a question for the editor?????
Park runs that cheer everyone on to the end are the ones I'd like to do. So why not have a sticky here where we can post those events that are inclusive? Car parking? That's a pain, but I'd be happy to pay £1.20 and feel welcome.
Some of us don't have a choice of Parkruns. I have one local parkrun and the next closest is 100 miles away. OK, I don't suppose many of you are so isolated, but suppose I'd been looking at such a post, but never saw any reference to my local event, I might think that was because it wasn't one deemed 'good'.
Before my first visit to the local parkrun, I checked the the results page, so knew I was going to be near the back of the field, and studied the map in detail. The Facebook page also gave a flavour of the race directors and members. I haven't been very often, but have found everyone very friendly and helpful.
We've all come into running from different background and with different needs and expectations.
It's not about where you finish... Trust me, I've entered a few events now and I'm always, always near the back. I'm not in this to win - that, in my case would be ridiculous - I want to feel that I'm welcome. Yes you can check the results page, if it exists, but I'm advocating a positive sticky so that we have reviews from the community so that we know if an event matches our ability.
It may not concern you, but it is about where you finish for the couple of negative reviews I've read on here. People have complained that the rest of the runners shot off and left them running alone. When I first ran my local park run I knew from checking the results that all except 3 or 4 runners were finishing under 30 minutes and therefore would be powering off away from me. Knowing this meant I went in forewarned.
And that's exactly what I'd like to see. Forewarning. Ultra competitive doesn't always mean bad. It just means not for everyone. Love your Park Run? That truly is a great thing. So why not tell everyone here why you love it?
And that's exactly what I'd like to see. Forewarning. Ultra competitive doesn't always mean bad. It just means not for everyone. Love your Park Run? That truly is a great thing. So why not tell everyone here why you love it?
When I'm volunteering and someone says they didn't have a good run that day I always say - if you turned up you won.
It also helps if you can seek out the run director at the beginning and tell them that you are a newbie/this is your first park run etc, identify and be introduced to the tail runner if you think you will be slow. Then someone will be able to appreciate your efforts.
I guess that different Parkruns ( all over the World) could be different - but the organisation as a whole does seem to me to have everybody singing from the same songbook. We have to think as to why parkrun has been so successful (and here in Australia , it has EXPLODED!) I am sure it has not been so successful because it is clickey, intimidating or elitist!!
I first did Parkrun when I was in Week 1 of C25k - I did one of the weeks runs using 1 minute run/90 seconds walk ( or whatever it was way back then) and finished in 49 minutes I have since got it down to around 33 minutes. I subsequently did every run at parkrun using one of the days tasks of the subsequent weeks of C25K. But then again - I have elephant hide skin and am totally impervious to implied insult, put-downs, sideways looks etc - so I wouldn't have noticed or been conscious of anything like that!!
I have now actually backed away from Parkrun just a little - not because it isn't an absolutely fabulous organisation - but because I was becoming seduced. Seduced - to continually strive for PB's - to run faster/longer!!! That is not why I started running and why I want to continue running for the rest of my life. So - I am going to restart using parkrun as a weekly training run - doing one of the days tasks as called for by my training plan that I am now using ( Jack Daniels "Running for Fitness - Plan RED".) No more flat out non-stop 5Ks for me
Bazza, I think I'm with you.... There's no requirements to strive for PBs. I think the only requirement is for the organisers to make the event open to all abilities, or if it's isn't, to make it clear what minimum ability they expect of participants. Absolutely no one wants to run round a park, trail in 10 minutes behind the field and feel like they're inadeqaute In some way. The beautiful thing about running is that anyone can do it.... But we're not all aspiring to be Mo Farah.
Kittykat, you're making my point for me. I'd love to do these runs, but I'm not going along to be humiliated. Like you, I'm quite happy to do my own thing but I would welcome a group run if it was inclusive and not exclusive.
I'm not anti park run, I'm anti golf-club-style exclusvity.
If you're ever in my neighbourhood, it would be my honour to lace up my Brooks' and run with you at whatever pace we felt both felt comfortable. That Is the true spirit of running.
I am not sure where you are getting these ideas of possibly being "humiliated" at a Parkrun - or finding that Parkruns are exclusive. Firstly there is only one person who can humiliate me - and that is me! :). I think you are reading a little too much into a few negative reports that have surfaced here . Most here are very praising when it comes to parkruns. I prefer to listen to people with positive reports of things (like cruises, cruiselines and cruiseships) and ignore any negativity that I hear. As my mom used to say - don't listen to half of what you "hear" and ignore the other half
Rob, I think this is a really good idea. It's like reviews of hotels, etc. In response to zev's wise comment, everyone experiences things differently & it will be different on different days, but therefore you wouldn't read one review & base your opinion of the parkrun on that would you? Like with other things, you go for something that's had lots of reviews & most of them positive & give them a whirl.
As for Leamington parkrun for example I am in between the experience of zev1963 & toonlou. I thought it was very well organised in the whole, with good briefings at the start & they gave new runners a clap, etc. the stewards as I ran round were very encouraging. But I was daunted by the sheer number of club level runners, I was expecting more at our level, but I felt there was 20 of us at the back at most & 300 shot off! I don't think anyone actively intimidated anyone, it was just the nature of the event & mix of People that was daunting.
As a result though, I found myself running on my own for most of it, & got a bit lost. Not enough signs for me. Okay you can study the map, but some people like myself are crap at directions & need guided a bit more , & also I was kind of overwhelmed by just trying to keep going anyway!
What I did think was very poor was that bar the lovely stewards & some other supportive runners near the finish, everyone else pretty much ignored the end of the run coming in . I had the finish line all to myself & I felt my welcome was a bit half- hearted. I think more experienced runners could improve their etiquette, but that's their lookout.
I would do it again, I met some nice people & found it a challenge. However all the courses & groups seem so different, so I would actively welcome some reviews, etc on here so I can assess whether or not another one might be worth a whirl.
For me parkrun was an interesting experience, I'd like to try others to compare. I won't be rocking up there every week but it's a very useful way to test out & challenge your running & what an event might feel like. A bit like marmite really! I can take it on my toast, but not much & not too often at the moment
There's the thing - the courses and groups seems different to you and in a specific example, there was less signage than you'd like. That's a review, so why not say so? Or, if the consensus is that we don't want to offend people, why not post only positive reviews and not negative ones?
All I'd like to do is reduce the possibility of us ordinary runners turning up at an event and being, at best put off and at worst feeling humiliated.
I think it would be a good resource as I say. Although I may be wrong but are there some reviews already on the individual parkrun pages..? But a separate area on health unlocked to write reviews might be an idea... I have no problem with no holds barred reviews, you generally get a balance overall, & assuming there would be editorial control anyhow
I'm repeating what many above have said already, but the whole ethos of parkrun is inclusivity. Men, women, old, young, dogs, people pushing buggies, all are welcome. I have run at three different parkrun venues, and I found the approach at all of those is exactly the same - welcoming and friendly, encouraging and not at all intimidating. They all give first-timers a welcome before the start.
Though I have no problem with a balanced report describing a parkun - whether it is flat or has challenging hills, how many people attend, whether the start is crowded (you can usually glean most of this information from the individual websites anyway) - anything beyond that is in danger of becoming just too subjective. What some might interpret as uncaring or unsupportive is unlikely to be meant that way at all.
Remember these events are free, and run by unpaid volunteers for the sheer love of it. It's amazing it happens at all. No-one is out to humiliate anybody. It is the opposite of an exclusive golf club.
That said, I agree parkrun is not for everyone. But anyone who wants to try one should, without fear, and form their own opinion.
I have posted - about Richmond Park, Falkirk and Hilly Fields - my opinion is out there on this very site. (Coincidentally all have monster hills, I have never run a flat one). But my point is what is important to me might not be as important to other people, what I like others may hate. For example I've never been cheered on as I cross the finish line by more than the volunteers and perhaps one or two people I've got to know. It doesn't bother me in the slightest. It has never crossed my mind to expect that all the other runners should stop and wait for the whole field to finish and applaud everyone that comes in.
Think TT makes a good point, everyone has different expectations. Some people find it patronising to be cheered, I've read that several times by people on here who did finish last and were cheered.
Another point to consider is that a parkrun can vary from week to week as volunteer teams change, some marshals are very encouraging, some not, so the dynamics do alter. I wouldn't like to see a parkrun given a subjective bad report from one incident which remains as a sticky, but agree it would be helpful to see reports detailing the terrain, car parking, cafes, km markers, pacers - practical stuff.
There is another way of looking at this matter . I have read ( and now believe) that running is the only sport in which "I" can compete against World Champions and Olympians . I recently competed in the Sydney City to Surf running against Olympian Craig Mottram -- he won the race and I ,er, didn't! -- but I competed in the same race as he. Would they let me play golf with Tiger Woods or play soccer with David Beckham??
Agreed. I have actually competed in a race against World Marathon Record holder Paula Radcliffe in a 5k and I beat her..... although she did have quite a handicap....
I do have some annoyances at Parkrun -- for a start, those "yummy mummies" who pass me while pushing their twins in a racing pushchair are just showing off - and I really don't like that 7 year old girl who beats me all the time and then teases me when I can't catch her!!
I'd love to read reviews of different Parkruns. It'll be a long while before I have the confidence to do one but there are lots near me. I've already been told which ones are madly hilly and which ones are ultra competitive!! Just from the lady I bought my shoes off! I looked at the results pages of one of them and that alone put me off :)) all club runners with super fast times. I don't know that I'll ever have the confidence but you never know
I love to run alone. With my headphones. Might even download an audio book which my friend who does marathons has advised me to do
Whilst laudable, the niche size of this group and the very nature of the Internet would make a sticky review page a nonsense. What if I were to post an erudite yet damning report on my local parkrun? Where would that leave the unheard views of the 500-plus men, women and children who turn up to it week in and week out? I'm sorry for the minority that have had a bad experience at a parkrun but if that's the case then surely the correct response is to take it up with the race director and then the national organisation, if necessary. The parkrun isn't like McDonalds-the same experience everywhere. The courses are all different, the abilities of the race directors and volunteers vary, the terrain can be completely flat or insanely hilly and the field can be less than 50 or over 1000 strong. For the most part, though, they're inclusive, welcoming and fun. It might not be for everyone, but 50,000 people think it's a good thing.
I understand at lot of the points that's have been made in this post but am slightly concerned that the whole ethos of park run is about being inclusive and speed and times do not matter. I know there have been a couple of issues where the park run experience could of been better but I would hate to see park run judged on a bad day so to speak.
I would recommend anyone with an issue with a park run gets in touch with the organisers and voice their concerns and hopefully the issues will get sorted out for future new runners.
As far as this forum is concerned I am happy to put a post up next Saturday with the title. Why I like my park run.
Then underneath everyone can share POSITIVE experiences with the name of their park run. I will then pin that post.
That way we can show what should be expected from a park run and if anyone goes to one that is a bit lacking they know to get in touch with the organisers.
Sounds like a good approach rfc I also feel given the discourse on the forum that it is fair to say 'some' parkruns do fall short of the stated ethos. I see no harm in acknowledging that & making sure that whilst we praise where praise is due, that we also make peops aware of the generic standards that should be sought & where to register issues/problems if those standards have not been met. Understanding at all times that this is volunteer run & dependent, so any 'critique' should bear that in mind
AAH!! -- but the whole ethos of Parkrun is that TIMES DO MATTER! That is why parkun is a timed run. For some/many?, there is definitely competition between one another . But for most the competition is against yourself. This latter thing can be good - but like anything , it can be bad (as I see people constantly pushing themselves to do better/faster and hurting themselves) . I also suspect that many/most? of the people who run at my local parkrun do push themselves weekly on Saturday without any additional "training" during the week.
Yes I agree times do matter to the individuals, I was trying to make the point that it doesn't matter to the organisers. I should of worded that a little differently.
Why not let people say what they want? No one will be forced to participate or read the posts...I can't see the point of a post with only positive points. I
With 375 parkruns (I believe that is UK rather than worldwide) RFC's post is going to be a real struggle to plough through to glean any useful information. Well over 50,000 people attend parkrun every week and the numbers are growing constantly. The experience for most is positive but you can only find out whether it will suit you if you go along and try it. I would encourage anybody thinking about doing parkrun to study the course website beforehand. The information on the sites is pretty comprehensive and should give you an idea of what to expect in regard of pace and route details. I have talked to total strangers at each run I have attended, but I could have stayed in my bubble and not communicated with anyone, which would have resulted in a very different experience.
Most people on this forum and attending parkrun have a joyful time. Suck it and see.
Just caught up with all that - what an emotive topic that was/is!
Interesting to read everyone's views. I will give my local one a go in the hope it is a fun and undaunting experience. I'm not a competitive soul, so if it is like a competition between individuals, then I guess I might not do it again.
Until then I will be open minded and just continue to enjoy my running. Haven't run since Thursday due to a weekend away, so looking really forward to a run tomorrow morning.
parkrun is great for ALL ages and abilities. I am a regular at Gunpowder, Waltham Abbey, and also run at Clermont Florida when visiting my holiday home. Both are very friendly, and like all parkruns, cater for EVERYONE. I recommend Gunpowder as good for beginners - it's 2 laps plus 300m...while you are building up it's easy to subtly pull up halfway. I also do my midweek training run there...just 2 miles to conserve my leg* muscles!
Ability doesn't matter - you only need to compete with yourself. Having said that, as somebody who can be hard to motivate, I set myself small achieveable objectives of people to beat, who used to finish ahead of me, but who I now beat. And there's the thrill of the PB. On your first few runs you may smash it regularly.
The best bit about parkrun for me is continuity. A few years ago, when I had been training in the gym for only 30 minutes weekly, I ran a sponsored 5k. Fast forward a few months, no more runs, gym had lapsed. Then last year I was motivated (by family illness) to go for another sponsored run. It took me 3 months to work up from 800m to 5k...*including 2 x fortnight breaks due to calf injuries caused by too much too soon. My holiday clashed with the sponsored run. I ran my first parkrun instead, and haven't looked back.
Go for it. Nobody minds if you run slowly, and you will beat all the couch potatoes!
If you're driving, get there 20 minutes early before the free car park fills up. There is alternative free parking round the side of the course if you know the area. Toilets are by the car park.
A bit of history. This section of the Gunpowder park was an ammunition testing range. It's the bit left over after decontamination and building houses and a Sainsbury's depot.
The course is hard paths with irritating small bits of gravel...I have light Reebok z shoes and the gravel gets stuck in the tread. The course is exposed and affected by wind, particularly on the hill section. There are often a few puddles. There are no distance markers - I walked the course and noted my own.
Typically there are around 130 runners. I normally start in midfield and it can take me up to 12 seconds to pass the start line. If I'm pushing for PB I start nearer the front.
The park is also used by dog walkers and occasional cyclists.
Allegedly the course is 5.1k, 2 laps plus 300 metres. After the first 300 metres from start to finish funnel, It's uphill for 100 metres, then downhill for 100 metres. The hill is ok unless the wind is strong from the south west.
Coffee and cake are served monthly. I haven't stayed as I run with my son who has to get back for football driving.
FLORIDA, CLERMONT WATERFRONT
7:30am start. If you're staying near Disney it's around 30 - 35 miles each way. Allow 1 hour driving time to play safe. Directions say turn at 12th St...which is a traffic light with another name. I accessed via 8th St. Free street parking. Free bottled water provided by sponsors. Toilets at the boathouse assembly point. There are typically around 70 runners.
The course is a loop up and back on a smooth hard lakeside path. Mile markers may not be 100% accurate. It's very flat except a small up and down bridge over a stream. Turning points marked by cones and marshalled.
Post run coffee at nearby Cheesers Palace I haven't tried.
...on my parkrun tourism to do list are other flat courses on hard paths, Pymmes with very few runners, and Hackney Marshes recommended as fast. Also possibly Valentines. I will have a go at a grass course in the summer...I will not run on mud!
My son and I tried this, renowned as a fast flat course...it is - we both got big PBs. It's up and back on a tarmac path with no gravel next to the River Lea, with a 50m grass section.
There were 140 runners. The path is wide, so even starting near the back it only took me 7 seconds to cross the start line.
Citypark Craigavon is just fabulous! You have some people that finish in 16 or 17 minutes but you also have those who finish in 37 and 47 - all are welcome and the car park is free.
I completed my first parkrun on Saturday at South Manchester (Platt Fields Park). It was great although I think I overestimated where I would come in the line up.
There were 323 people in total and I came 291st in 33mins 12secs. I checked the website before I went and they advised that if I thought I was going to be running it in 50mins+ then to speak to an adviser before hand. If you're running in a time similar to me then just be prepared to be at the back but don't be disheartened. The volunteers are incredible and cheer you on at every marker (and they're normally every 1/4 km or so. It's very inclusive but I'd say many of the runners are seasoned runners - the guy who came first did it in 16 mins! (I don't even know how one would get to that stage) so just be aware that most people will probably do it in sub 30mins but that didn't really make me feel bad as there were still quite a few faces around me and the volunteers made you feel like you were running a marathon with the encouragement they gave. All in all a great experience.
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