First time park run

[Anasta]

So. I graduated c25ka few months ago ( treadmill) and have now started to run outside. Still feel like a wally, but I really want to try a park run . There is one quite local. I have the barcode thing so now what ?? Do I just turn up. What time would be best ? Do you register before the run. How does it all work ?? So many questions I’m making myself anxious and just keep putting it off 😂😂🤦🏻‍♀️

[Buddy34 Graduate]

I did my first parkrun last Saturday and I was a bit nervous, but I had nothing to be nervous about honestly. You just turn up on the day new park runners get a few bits of info then you go to the start and they tell you when to start. It's absolutely brilliant . Just remember to take your barcode with you to get scanned at the end. Then within a few hours you get an email with your official 5k time . Hope this helps good luck 😊😊

[Anasta Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

It does. I know I’m over thinking it xx.

[Anasta Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

I did it. 43:52 phew

[Buddy34 Graduate in reply to Anasta]

Brilliant, did you enjoy it

[Anasta Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

Yes I did. A lot. Everyone was friendly. Yes I’m slow. Was one of the last to finish. I keep telling myself I’m faster than sitting on the sofa. Hopefully it will become faster

[Buddy34 Graduate in reply to Anasta]

Of course you are you are off the couch and running 😊😊

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

You just need to take your barcode and show it to the barcode scanners after the run.

Before your first parkrun (or first at a different event) it’s best to be at the start line by 8:45 as they have a first timers briefing to tell you about the course and how parkrun works. Other than this there is no pre run requirements, no registration or anything.

Have a great time there, they’re amazingly supportive.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

If you live in Scotland or N. Ireland, parkrun starts at 9.30, not sure about the Republic of Ireland, I THINK its also 9.30.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Very good point... and in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa it’s 8am at the moment, something tells me it could be 7 in their summer.

And yes, 9:30 throughout the island of Ireland

[damienair Graduate]

Turn up about 15 to 20 minutes before the start. Go to the start area and gather with the crowd. There will be a first timers briefing beforehand so pop along and listen to that. It will explain everything. Take your place towards the rear end of the crowd for your first one and when they say go, you go. Run at a nice comfortable pace, don’t run off too fast at the start. At the 5K mark you run across the finish line. You will be handed a finish token. It will have a number and a barcode on it. You then take your own printed barcode and your finish token to a volunteer with a barcode scanner. They will scan your barcode first and then scan your finish token which you hand back. And that’s it. A couple of hours later you will get a text and an email with your official finish time.

Nothing to worry about. It’s easy peezy lemon squeezy . You’ll love it.

Damien

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to damienair]

Is the starting time for a parkrun in the Republic of Ireland the same as N. Ireland which is 9.30?

[damienair Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Yes 9:30 in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to damienair]

Think of New Zealand, there according to Lexi6 parkrun starts at 8am.

[damienair Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

I think in South Africa it starts at 7:00am before the heat gets properly going. I like 9:30.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to damienair]

I think most runners are early morning people, but some like evening runs.

[Anasta Graduate in reply to damienair]

Thanks. I’ve been stalking there results page so I know I’ll be one of the last ones to finish with my time so illl hang out at the back. Just need the boot up the bum to go

[Tasha99 Graduate]

Parkrun number one fan here 🙋🏽‍♀️ you’ll love it! Parkrun addiction imminent 🤣 When you go every week too you start knowing the people who are the same pace as you and seeing the same people at the end - I’ve made a lot of friends at parkrun 😍

[Anasta Graduate in reply to Tasha99]

I did it. It was fab 🥳

[tbsb]

Park Runs are great. There is nothing to worry about. Don’t over think it. Just get up on Saturday morning and go.💫💫💫

[steviej99 Graduate]

parkrun is brilliant, friendly, well organised, welcoming and open to all levels. Run, jog or walk. Last week we had one woman 7 months pregnant walking and one person walking with a broken leg! Neither finished last because parkrun always provide a tail runner to finish last! You'll love it Anasta

[Lettymay]

I started Park Run in week 2 of C25k. It didn’t matter that Michael Johnson only got me half way round the course, I just walked the rest. Don’t feel embarrassed, it’s not a race, you are only competing against yourself 🙂

I’m now on my 10th park Run and in week 9 of C25k and I still don’t get all the way round in 30mins but what the heck, it gives me something to aim for. So my advice, set your alarm and do it 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Coddfish Graduate]

Hi Anasta, I have completed 156 parkruns, been to 32 different parkrun locations and have even run parkrun in New Zealand.

No need to register at the actual event, but do have your barcode with you.

The volunteers will be obvious. The run director will have a blue and white jacket and all the volunteers will have yellow jackets or perhaps orange in the case of tail walkers. They will hold a first timers briefing. Events vary when they do this - it might be 10 minutes before the start, or (as in the case of my home parkrun) not until the start time. Make sure you understand any rules such as keep left or keep right, as it matters on either an out and back course or a multi lapper as there could be hordes of faster people bearing down on you. Make sure you start near the back of the pack. There’ll be a tail walker or two (if this is in the UK) who you can stay with if you wish. Keep your pace down, don’t worry if everyone seems to be haring off. Don’t worry about walking or being too slow, parkruns are used to it and very inclusive. Try to talk to people before, during and after the run, it’s all about community.

Cross the finish line, someone will click your time and you will be handed a finishing token at the far end of the funnel. Stay in line as you go through the funnel. Go over to one of the people barcode scanning (look again for people in high vis), they will scan your barcode and finish token and keep the latter. Results will be emailed to you and visible on the run’s results page later that day. You can sign up to get them by text too.

If you like parkrun, order a durable barcode (low cost from the parkrun site) as they are much easier for the volunteers and won’t disintegrate, and consider volunteering once every 10 or so runs. Good luck!

[Anasta Graduate in reply to Coddfish]

Thanks you. I will go I will go I will go !!! 156 runs. Well done to you 🏆x. I’m in absolute awe at how every one been So encouraging and so bloody nice 👍🏼

[Coddfish Graduate in reply to Anasta]

Parkrun is fantastic, I hope you enjoy it. If it helps, go down and watch it this week, then run the following week. You can then see how all the bits tie together when you are not anxious about it.

[Anasta Graduate]

I did it. Everyone was lovely finished just under 44 mins. 🥳🥳🥳🥳