Hi, so I registered & printed off the barcodes but they have come out really teeny tiny, I think 6 on one A4 page - are they supposed to be that small or have I done something wrong on my printer settings? also, not having done any running events ever in my life i'm not too sure what the rules are with earphones - do you think it's ok to listen to the app whilst going round? I'm not sure I could do it without Sarah in my ear!
Feeling a bit apprehensive about this but also excited to give it a go!
Thanks folks & hope you are all having happy runs today 😀
Written by
Charlottefc87
Graduate
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16 Replies
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They come out about credit card sized. Lots of people run mine with earphones. Probably more without but at the start line you see people putting their music on. I prefer not to and occasionally exchange a few words with people as we run. But mostly people just do their own thing.
Arrive in time for the briefing about 10 minutes before the start and they will tell you everything you need to know. The trick is to find your own pace and not be tempted to try to keep up with anyone else.
Thank you, ah that's ok then that's the size they have come out. Didn't know about the briefing so thank you for the tip, I'll make sure I get there in time. ooo, getting a bit excited (I think!)
Hi Charlotte, relax about parkrun! It is going to be loads of fun. It sounds like your barcodes are going to be OK. If there are 6 on an A4 sheet that sounds about right.
When you enter the 'finish funnel' at the end of the run, your time will be recorded by the timekeepers. And when you get to the end of the finish funnel, you'll be given a finish token, which actually is another barcode.
Go to the volunteers who are scanning the barcodes - they'll scan your athlete barcode (you'll not need it until then) and then scan your finish token. They'll keep the finish token and use it again next week. In the unlikely event that your athlete barcode is too small, or does not scan, then they'll process your athlete number manually - it is the 'A' number below your barcode.
As for running with headphones - this is perfectly OK with parkrun and you will not be the only one. But please be aware of the other runners around you, and the instructions from the marshalls. If the parkrun is on a multi-lap course, then you can expect to be overtaken by the faster runners, and they'll probably say 'coming through' or 'on the left' as they pass you. Try and stay out of their way as they'll be hoping for a personal best (whereas you WILL get a parkrun personal best on Saturday ). Any run organised by Run England or the other national bodies (so basically any other timed run in the UK) is going to adhere to the UK Athletics rules for a road race, and this will prohibit wearing headphones & you will be disqualified if a marshal sees you). We argue about that from time to time on this forum, mostly in the spring when the new graduates do their first race. But let me stress, you'll be OK wearing headphones at parkrun.
Best wishes for your first parkrun - post back here and let us know how you got on.
Ooo yes I will get a personal best, I never thought of that! Thank you for the advice, I will stay well clear of the speedies and report back! I havent graduated yet, this will be my w8 r1 which is why I was keen to use the app. I've had a bit of a debate about doing it now / waiting for post graduation. But I'm moving house next week to a different area, and I currently have a park run opposite my house! Seemed I ought to take advantage of that really!
Considering the current weather, it might be a good idea to laminate your barcode, even only with sellotape. You can buy durable keytag sized barcodes from the parkrun website....... highly recommended!
Enjoy yourself. Parkrun is a wonderful celebration of running.
Others have talked about how the barcodes work so I won't repeat. I will however repeat what Iannodatruffle has said about laminating your barcode or buying one of the very cheap durable solutions on the parkrun website. There are credit card sized plastic cards to buy as well as the smaller ones. Obviously only get one of these once you have sampled parkrun and you find (as I am sure you will) that you like it. As a regular parkrunner and sometimes volunteer, there's nothing worse when you are on scanning duty than someone pulling a soggy, frayed scrap of paper somewhere from their anatomy (sports bra or worse) and expecting you to handle it.
Lots of people run parkrun with headphones, but you might get more out of the event if you left them at home and engaged with the runners around you instead.
Enjoy it, it's great. A few more tips before your first visit. Familiarise yourself with the course if you can. Although they will cover this in the briefing (and every parkrun I have been to has a more detailed first timer's briefing), it will give you confidence on the day. Sometimes on woodland routes it's not obvious where to go, particularly if you are towards the back of the run and find all the other people around you are either new or are parkrun tourists. Look at the event results to get an idea what the range of finishing times are, and stand in an appropriate place relative to the start line. As a guide I would say if you think you will finish in 38 minutes or more, stay right at the back About three quarters of the runners finish in less than 30 minutes so for in between times be towards the back. Don't be put off by this, it's very inclusive and there are people who run/walk it at most events
Once you are a bit more confident you can combine it with tourism - every parkrun operates in the same way, but of course they are all different.
Really interesting advice. My first Parkrun is on the 16th. I have registered and shall laminate now. The advice about the briefing is really refreshing as I am very shy and will not know what to do. I will make sure I keep well out of the way and towards the back. Currently in WK7 and totalling 4.3KM in 37 minutes.
Take a spare barcode in the car if you travel by car. One of my local PR allow free parking with the barcode....... but not all do this so check..,.. it wil depend on the local authority who run the parks. Enjoy😀😎🏃🏻♀️.
Get them laminated - they last longer that way. You can also buy little barcodes to keep on your keyring, or wrist bands with your barcode on it, some people have gone as far as to get their barcode tattooed on them!
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). Any run organised by Run England or the other national bodies (so basically any other timed run in the UK) is going to adhere to the UK Athletics rules for a road race, and this will prohibit wearing headphones & you will be disqualified if a marshal sees you). We argue about that from time to time on this forum, mostly in the spring when the new graduates do their first race. But let me stress, you'll be OK wearing headphones at parkrun.
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