FAQ.....PARKRUN QUESTIONS ANSWERED.

[IannodaTruffe]

Frequent questions on this forum concern parkrun……….what is it?........... should I do it?.......when should I do it?

Well, this post is designed to answer most of your parkrun queries.

WHAT IS PARKRUN?

This amazing movement was founded in 2004 by Paul Sinton-Hewitt who went for a 5k run in the park with his mates and thought it would be a brilliant idea if they did this timed run every Saturday morning……….that has become a worldwide movement, spreading from the UK to over 1400 different events in 22 countries and 5 continents with upwards of 6 million individuals registered.

The guiding principles of parkrun are that it should be free, for everyone and forever. Which means that it costs nothing to take part, (although you may have to pay for parking at some venues), you will be warmly welcomed as either a runner or a walker, regardless of ability or experience and you can do this for the rest of your life.

HOW DO I FIND OUT WHERE TO TAKE PART?

Go to parkrun.com/ to see where the nearest event is to you if you live outside the UK, otherwise for us Brits parkrun.org.uk/ is the place to go. From here you will find links to individual events, including information about the venues and courses and how to register as a parkrunner, so that you can be officially timed. Register once and run worldwide. You can become a parkrun tourist.

If you can’t find a parkrun near you, consider setting one up. The organisation will support you in creating a new event.

SHOULD I DO IT?

The answer is a resounding YES!!!!!!

This will make you realise that runners come in all shapes, ages, weights, sizes, abilities and disabilities………….PARKRUN IS FOR EVERYONE!!!!

What we do recommend is that if you are part way through C25k, that you stick to your programmed workout and walk the remainder, to avoid being tempted to do too much too soon. Those eight and eighty year olds who leave you in their dust have been running longer than you, so don’t try to keep up.

REMEMBER…..PARKRUN IS NOT A RACE.

Once you have registered on the website, you will be allocated a number and a bar code, which you can either print off and take with you (preferably laminated), or purchase durable tags or cards with your details on. You need these with you for each run if you wish to be timed. Just hang onto your barcode until the end of the run, when it will be scanned to give you a time, which will be emailed to you and published on the event’s results page.

WHEN SHOULD I DO IT?

Many C25kers wait until they are comfortable running 5k after graduation, but as I have said, if you stick rigidly to the plan, then there is no reason why you shouldn’t do it earlier. At most parkruns there are people walking the entire route, so if you do your run/walk intervals, you will be unlikely to be last and will still set an official time that you can chip away at in months to come.

SOME USEFUL BITS OF INFO.

In England, to the best of my knowledge, all parkruns start promptly at 9am on Saturday mornings. In Scotland and other places there may be a seasonal variation, so check on your local event website.

There is a new runner’s briefing held immediately before every run, so if you haven’t run at that venue before, it is worth attending for a bit of local knowledge and advice.

Parkrun events are 5k organised runs, normally in parks or similar areas…….not races.

Many parkruns have 2k junior events (4 to 15 year olds) and some of these take place at separate venues. Again, see the website for details.

When you register for parkrun you can put your club down as NHS Couch to 5k.

Most parkruns have a tail walker, who follows the pack round to make sure that everyone is okay……...so you will never be last.

For your first run, especially at a larger event, start a little way back from the start line, to avoid being carried along by the throng.

Parkrun events are organised and run entirely by volunteers……...this is people power at its best……..so make sure you fit in a few stints in the high viz to keep it going. If you are not confident taking part, go and volunteer to see how it all works.

Parkrun is inclusive, happy and welcoming, so if you are new, just talk to anyone, especially those in high viz jackets who will answer your questions and make you feel part of the family.

There are often tea and cakes available after the run so you can chat to your new running buddies in a relaxed atmosphere.

For me, whether as a runner or a marshal, parkrun makes me smile broadly and sets up the weekend…..it is a wonderful experience……

...DO IT!!!

There are more FAQ posts giving general information here healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[Tallismorley Graduate]

If I may put in a minor note of caution: I don't disagree with IannodaTruffe, but my personal experience hasn't been so positive. After I finished Cto5K, I was running for 30 mins, but only about 3.5K. In retrospect, for me at least, the programme would have been more accurately named Couch to 30 Mins. I tried my local Parkrun a few times, taking about 47 minutes and finishing well after most people had gone home. I didn't find it terribly encouraging, and there was no-one to talk to afterwards, despite publicity about people going for a coffee together at the end. So the experience made me unavoidably aware of how slow I am and I went home rather miserable each time. I expect that just happens to be the way my local run feels, and a Parkrun far away when I was on holiday abroad felt positive, so I'm sure it can be a lovely experience. I'd just recommend, if you're doing it for the first time, to go with moderate expectations. Good luck.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Tallismorley]

That is an unfortunate experience, which I believe is not typical. At my local parkrun, those walkers crossing the line after 50 minutes or so are cheered home in a supportive manner. Naturally, at an event like this, there are those who finish in 15 minutes and are long gone by the time the majority finish, but it is not a race and you only need to compare your performance with yourself.

[ItstheMarchHare Graduate in reply to Tallismorley]

That’s sad to hear.. maybe have a look at the map and see the next closest one to you - might have a different vibe 😊

[Elfe5 Graduate in reply to Tallismorley]

A suggestion I have seen on this forum is, that you could check online the typical timings of a number of Parkruns in your area and then pick one where you can see there are a larger number of people going at your place, or slower. You might have to travel a bit further, but if you find a Parkrun that suits you it might be much more enjoyable.

I am hoping to start Pr in the New Year and I’m considering travelling to one a bit further away because I know the nearest one is faster and with fewer walkers than average. 😄

[whibbles Graduate in reply to Tallismorley]

Really sorry to hear this and this seems to go against the inclusive ethos of the parkrun ! This would never happen at my local parkrun in France and on Saturday, I finished last in 41 mins and was applauded by about half of the 60 runners ! A bit embarrassing but I hadn¨t been running for over two months and wanted to take it easy. Don't be too discouraged and hope you can find another parkrun nearby that suits you but a minor note of caution ;-), it can be addictive !

[apatsyf Graduate in reply to whibbles]

Oh golly, was thinking about doing Park run, but I now feel worried. You say you were last at 41mins; I have never got below 40 mins for 5k on the flat and my local parkrun is hilly! . Hmm. Thanks for the suggestion of finding a slower course, but I really wanted to stay local. I know it doesn't matter how slow one is, but ...... 🙈🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️...... 🏃‍♀️ . Just looked up my local parkrun - 117 runners, 75% under 30 mins and only 10 over 40 mins. Looks a bit serious for me!! Will think further and maybe try the course first 😬😁.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to apatsyf]

Being last is a very generous thing to be, although the tail walker will normally technically be last at most parkruns. You will set a parkrun pb and if you keep going you will almost inevitably find that one day you are not last.

[BargainRzl Graduate in reply to Tallismorley]

I'm never quite sure how the "we go for a coffee afterwards at xxxx café" is supposed to work in practice... for example, the parkrun 5min from my flat is a popular fast London course which attracts upwards of 250 runners a week, and the named café they supposedly go to afterwards is a tiny place with only a handful of tables! I just go home...

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

I think it's definitely wise to check all the site info for those in your area.

I have two relatively close to me, one boasts 350 runners which makes me feel anxious just thinking about that and the other only 80 which, if or when I decide I'll try it, is far more my style.

I think I will give it a go one day as so many have such good things to say about it, but I may also swing by just to see what goes on first, just to put myself at ease with all those things that can create obstacles in my head; where to park, loos, etc.

[Tallismorley Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Please don't be put off by my experience. Suggestions from others in this thread are wise, and I'm sure there are supportive runs. Just on your numbers point: the parkrun I DID enjoy had many hundreds taking part, ranging from serious racers to many who were walking dogs and chatting. I wouldn't judge the run by the numbers. I suspect other factors matter more.

[Spookysmum Graduate]

Thank you for posting this... Having never even been interested before, now I'm a graduate, I may actually sign up! Though I've been a lone runner up to now, running with others is a little daunting.

[Swimming24 Graduate]

I am going through the various posts you have put on this site. Thank you thank you for all the invaluable advice. I completed the programme last week and am going to continue to consolidate the runs. I am thinking of doing a park run and this article has helped a lot. 😊