(NOT) Parkrun: I got a e-mail from the company... - Couch to 5K

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(NOT) Parkrun

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate
27 Replies

I got a e-mail from the company who organises Parkruns asking me to take part in the (not) parkruns while the official runs are not on, as you all know on this forum I have ran all 22 (not) parkruns since they began on Saturday 20th June which that day was my14th Virtual Parkrun.

Most people on this forum run (not) parkruns, especially since Damienair began the virtual runs early in May, however, the overall amount of people running not parkruns is low hence the organisers wanting more runners to take part.

Every Monday afternoon I get a e-mail from them telling me how many people everywhere have ran a (not) parkrun the previous week and I take note on how many, I am happy to report that over the last 3 weeks there have been more taking part, 3 weeks ago it was 17,147, two weeks ago it was 18,815 and last week 19,152 runners took part in (not) parkrun, so perhaps it will keep rising until the official Parkruns return sometime next year once everyone in the country has been vaccinated for Covid 19

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AlMorr profile image
AlMorr
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27 Replies
RunaroundSue profile image
RunaroundSue

Like you I have recorded (not) parkruns right from the beginning

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate in reply to RunaroundSue

Three dates to note RunaroundSue, 21st March was our first virtual parkrun, Damienair began the "official virtual runs" around the middle of May, on Saturday 20th June I ran my first (not) parkrun.

Birdlady64 profile image
Birdlady64Graduate

I've never run an actual parkrun. I didn't even know what parkrun was until June.

However, I've run and logged 14 (not)parkruns.

There does seem to be more parkrunners running (not)parkruns - my local parkrun course has 24 first timers recording their times for (not)parkruns so far this week.

I think that must be wrong somehow

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate in reply to Birdlady64

Good for you Birdlady64, well done on running 14 (not) parkruns, that is good to know that there are 24 first timers running (not) parkrun at your local parkrun, from 17,147 runners 3 weeks ago to last weeks 19,152 that is a good sign, perhaps the numbers will keep rising as its going to be quite a while before the official Parkruns return.

Timotea profile image
TimoteaGraduate

I have not done a (not) park run . Is there a special site? Am doing LeJog at the moment so can they add together?

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate in reply to Timotea

If you want to run a (not) parkrun as part of LEJOG you may do so, should be only 5K, you can run anywhere you want to, you must register with the Vitality Parkrun Website, tell them where your local, home or nearest parkrun is, once you have registered then you can run as many as 7 (not) parkruns a week, however, most runners only run one a week, some as many as three.

Timotea profile image
TimoteaGraduate in reply to AlMorr

Thank you so much! Always a fount of useful information. Will register today.

Leithpi profile image
LeithpiGraduate

I’ve started putting my consolidation runs on there. Very easy to do!

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate in reply to Leithpi

Well done to you Leithpi on putting your consolidations on there, all adds up.

Tank_EG profile image
Tank_EGGraduate

HI AlMorr,

I was a regular volunteer at our local parkrun with over 100 weeks as a marshal. I also got as far as walking it once in around 55 minutes, hardly impressive.

During lockdown I've not only managed to loss weight but also started C25K and I'm currently halfway through week 8 and running just under 4.5k in 28 minutes.

All this is a round about way of saying after week 9 I'll be hitting the 5k distance; I know where I need to run to on my route and then I'll be reaching one of my milestones in actually being able to post a (not) parkrun time.

Really looking forward to not only being able to get back to marshalling but also running our course and smashing my previous time.

So well done to everyone who has participated at a parkrun or (not) parkrun. And when things get back to normal and you fancy a bit of a challenge, maybe I'll see you at the East Grinstead run 😀

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate in reply to Tank_EG

Good post from you Tank_EG, however, I don't live anywhere near East Grinstead unless I make a 500-mile journey from Scotland, at the moment we can't go anywhere at all.

Tank_EG profile image
Tank_EGGraduate in reply to AlMorr

Admittedly a fair old drive 😀

However if you find yourself down in the south east of England in the winter time and think I really want to run up some hills in the mud then please look us up 👍

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate in reply to Tank_EG

I certainly will.

David_G profile image
David_G in reply to Tank_EG

Hi EG, I’m normally in Croydon (although I’m in Bognor at the moment - long story!) so I’d be happy to travel to East Grinstead and join you when Parkrun restarts🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

The flip side is you’d need to travel to Croydon and brave ‘that hill’ at Lloyd Parkrun too!😳 How does that sound as a challenge?

Tank_EG profile image
Tank_EGGraduate in reply to David_G

Sounds good to me 😀

Looking forward to becoming a bit of a parkrun tourist when we are able to meet up again

SadlyBroke profile image
SadlyBrokeGraduate

I agree, very easy to record any and all 5k splits clocked up during the week, whether part of a 5k run or a longer run. Now up to 53 (not)parkrun records since Parkrun made the sensible decision to go virtual. I'm trailing behind one local runner who's clocked up 67 x 5k runss!!!!! Great to see times improvements over the months for everyone. Wish I could get the 50 runs T-shirt 😉

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate in reply to SadlyBroke

It is interesting to note SadlyBroke that Parkruns were the first people to introduce 'Virtual runs' but we here on C25K had virtual 5K runs before the Parkrun people started them, of course, ALL those event runs are now virtual, The Great North Run, London Marathon and London 10,000 were all virtual this year and many more, all runs will remain virtual until everyone in the country has been vaccinated for Covid 19, hopefully by Autumn 2021 the word 'Virtual' will be history.

Pugwash profile image
PugwashGraduate

I'm a Parkrunner and volunteer but couldn't work out how to sign up for (not)parkrun at first (as always with the parkrun organisation it was administratively burdensome) but now it is easier and I've started logging mine. I too have been surprised at the low numbers (admin pain?) - my local run attracts 150-200 regularly but there's only 10 of us submitting (not)parkrun data.

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate in reply to Pugwash

That's the same with me as well Pugwash, usually around 150 to 200 take part at my home parkrun but the (not) parkruns have seen on average about 14 runners taking part, there was a parkrun that celebrated it's 1 year birthday, that week 90 took part in (not) parkrun, but it's now back to around 15 on average a week.

Pugwash profile image
PugwashGraduate

I'm a huge supporter of the parkrun movement (sounds like you are too) but they shoot themselves in the foot time and time again with their communications - did you try and watch the recent Q&A sessions on YouTube? Well intentioned, but hopelessly over long and waffly; I gave up.

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate in reply to Pugwash

I did watch "one of those videos" not sure if it was the one you watched, it was rather long as you say but well intended.

Maisiecat1 profile image
Maisiecat1Graduate

Hi almorr

I've never run an official parkrun as graduated in May this year, but I have now logged 12 not parkrun for Maidstone. We're doing well, top 5, as there seems to be a fair few people on board.

Can't wait to run an official one though. 🏃‍♀️👍

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate in reply to Maisiecat1

Witney (not) parkrun has been the parkrun for the most amount of people running (not) parkruns, usually 200+ runners.

Yogamaz profile image
YogamazGraduate

I ran my first (Not) Parkrun this week and my intention is to carry on each week now! There seems to be less than 10 (not) parkrun runners at my local event when there is usually around 100 at the real event!! it will be interesting to see how many come back when we are eventually allowed to run together again!!

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate in reply to Yogamaz

Of course that email to everyone was to promote the (not) parkruns as there have been a low number of people taking part, it is anyone's guess when the real official Parkruns will restart, not until everyone has had the Covid 19 vaccination, which could be "sometime" next year.

jimytwo2 profile image
jimytwo2Graduate

Today I did my second not park run and second 5k. and now have a PB of 39:28 :) Thankyou for your encouragement and good luck with your 10K progress

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate in reply to jimytwo2

I congratulated you on another post, I already have ran 10/10Ks, the quickest being the third in a time of 69.23 in September 2019, my longest ever non stop run is a 10 miles, my time was 2.03.14. I am not sure if I will ever be able to run that again but you never know. 😊 🏃🏾

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