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...