I really want to do one but I have nobody to go with so would have to turn up by myself! Am nervous as to what to expect! I know different locations will differ... The one I would go to would be in Oxford.
Is there like a desk you have to go show your sign up with? People who watch standing about?? Do they give out water at the end of you have to bring your own?
Get there a good quarter of an hour or more before start time and make yourself known, as a newbie, to any steward in high Viz. If you cannot find a steward, just ask anybody. You need to be self sufficient, so take your own water, but you don't need to show anything to anyone until you go to the timing desk after you finish, to show your barcode and finish token.
Do make sure you attend the new runner's briefing, which is normally immediately before the start.
Don't start near the front and don't try to keep up.......stick to your pace.
Have a great time.
Very informative as usual IannodaTruffle! Thank you!
At the last Oxford parkrun there were 400 people and the last person came home at 53 minutes (so probably a walker). As a Graduate of C25k, you can run continuously for 30 minutes so you will finish sooner than that, even if you walk after 30 minutes 
There are usually water facilities available at most parkruns, but "they" do not hand it out like at a running race event. parkrun is essentially a run in the park with friends and you get a recorded time for your effort - no more and no less. Sometimes there might be cake if somebody is having a birthday -- but usually no bananas
400 people yikes!!! Yesterday I did my 5k in 37 minutes (usual home route). Will be interesting to see if having other people around me will make me go a little faster! 5k in 35 mins? Lol.
At mine there’s over 100 runners so I just walked to where the sign said start, every one said good morning and I said this is my first time, I got alot of oh fab & welcomes then before half nine someone announced the rules & then we were off, I went to the back and followed the rest, it’s that easy
Ok I really need to give this a go!!!
BE CAREFUL!!! - you don't know it yet but this is the start of the rest of your life!!
Haha! Think that started when I did my first c25k run!!
Not sure where Imoto runs but all uk parkruns are 09.00, except variations at Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Hi, I love park run and have been to different ones locally and on holiday. In my experience they have all been very welcoming. You can check the course on the parkrun site.
Turn up at least 15 mins before to orientate yourself. There is usually new runners/tourist briefing 5 mins before. Don't forget your barcode which you will need at the end of the run. You will be given a token at the finish. Head to the person scanning bar codes (usually a queue) they will scan your bar code and token.
You will be emailed your "official" time later in the day so if you're interested in stats can track your progress!
Most of all have fun. There will be a tail walker so they are always last and normally volunteers on they course for plenty of encouragement.
There may be people watching but usually that's friends and family. No water in my experience but the course details will often tell you where you can get a postrun drink, or take your own water.
I've done 30 runs in 6 different locations. All different, some flat loops, others out and back so you see the faster runners returning, others with "hills" well slopes!
Have a great time. 🏃♀️👍
Hello there, I was pretty anxious too but my fears as to taking part were much allayed as I had already volunteered as a marshal several times beforehand. I would very much recommend volunteering at your local parkrun as an excellent way to put you at ease and get to know people too.
I continue to marshal regularly - but you can also help before a parkrun with setting things up and then also run.
Enjoy😊
I’d like to do the park run but there isn’t one in my area!! Gutted.
Hi Kyliem - have you thought about registering for Parkrun but then just running as a tourist when you happen to be somewhere on a Saturday where there is one? Not ideal but might be better than nothing?
Yeah that sounds like a good idea. Thank you
I’m jealous. Would love to be doing my first Parkrun all over again. I’m getting the best of both worlds tomorrow at my local Parkrun. I’m going to be a volunteer and a runner. My 38th Parkrun and 9th Volunteer role will be as the 30 minute pacer. I’m really looking forward to it.
Parkrun is the best invention in health and wellness in a long time. Free, weekly, timed fun for all.
Damien
I was a bit nervous too before my first park run experience , so I checked out the relevant website, and did a volunteer role first. That way I got to see what it was all about, and made sure I knew where to park. Everyone is most friendly and welcoming when you volunteer and you can listen into the newbies briefing too!
No water at ours, but lots of fun. Still haven’t managed under 35 mins, which was my new year’s resolution, but I came 499th at my last one in 36.04. We are quite a big one!
Enjoy!
My first Parkrun was a walk - over 18 months ago. Since graduating C25k I’ve done 5 more. My first run was 52 minutes, my last was 45.5 minutes. All the advice here is good . I knew that I wouldn’t do it in 30 minutes so I built up the time after graduating so I could run 5k in my time.
I also used Runkeeper to pace myself.
I’m going to miss the next 2 weeks as I’m on holiday in France but I’m still running here . The next parkrun will be without music. I like to hear the birds sing and chat to my husband . Good luck.
Oh god! Didn't even think whether I would use my headphones or not!! I would like to for my focus but then being around other people I will be concerned at not hearing someone talk to me and appear ignorant!!
I wouldn’t worry . There’s a good mix of those who listen to music and those who don’t. I think I ran my first Parkrun without headphones because my husband ( who runs it in half my time) kindly ran with me.
Lots of excellent advice here CM! I’m a regular volunteer at a local Parkrun and you will find the Vols wearing hi vis jackets with ‘volunteer’ on the back. Introduce yourself and let them know you’re a first timer and you’ll be pointed in the right direction. Remember it’s not a race, it’s a ‘community run on a Saturday morning’ so go at your own pace - as ever the ones at the front will set off like bullets! You won’t be last in or get lost - there will be a ‘tail walker’ right at the back whose job it is to make sure everyone gets back ok. Don’t forget to register at parkrun.org.uk before you go and take your barcode with you. And enjoy it!
All parkruns are different, I have two very different Park runs in my area, one where lots of people attend, 400-500 and one where about 50-100 attend. They really do have a completely different atmosphere
The small one is very chatty, people ask who you are, are you local, explaining the course, very friendly. If I want a chat and a coffee and a nice run in the park I go to that one.
The large one is very 'professional' this is where I used to go to run/race, because you can just turn up and run. It's also very friendly, just different.
I went on my own most times, at the end of the day it's people in a park running, so It can be whatever you want it to be, it's your park, it's your parkrun.
I cannot add anything else. I ❤️ parkrun. My favourite run of the week. Do thank volunteers as you go around - it couldn’t happen without them. Oh and don’t forget your barcode 🏃♀️🏃♂️🏃♀️🏃♂️🐩🚶♀️🚶♂️🚶♀️🐕
I started PR on my own, it’s not a problem as then you can run at your rhythm. Register online and print a barcode and then have fun!
I am doing a very slow walk with the tailwalker tomorrow - because on Sunday I will be doing my very first 20 miler!!!!
Expect lots of support from marshals and other runners. Also expect to love the experience and become a regular, parkrun rocks.
Do you have doubts about being able to do a Parkrun!?!
Parkrun at walking pace.
Parkrun results - a tip to shortcut a problem on the site
Parkrun average times? Have signed up but feeling a little scared
