So my aim is to start doing Park Run when I've graduated. My next run is w8r3 but life is getting in the way so probably won't graduate until mid August.Does anyone here do the Poolsbrook event? It's close to me so makes sense as a first one, but I've got put off by reading posts on Running bug saying that Park run is now just full of Running clubs and people trying to get sub 17 mins..
it would be nice to have someone to give me a bit of encouragement before the start and to hang around to cheer me across the finish line 50 minutes later. I'm under no illusions that I can run 5k, but I know I can run and walk it.
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scubasmiff
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You might get more responses if you post over on the Bridge to 10k forum scubasmiff . There's also a weekly parkrun thread there - here's today's: healthunlocked.com/bridgeto...
I've never done a parkrun myself so won't presume to answer.
I've got put off by reading posts on Running bug saying that Park run is now just full of Running clubs and people trying to get sub 17 mins..
Just that parkrun or all of them? That isn’t my experience at all.
I don’t know that particular parkrun but there’s always a range from the speedy speedsters to the chilled out gentle pacers at the back. Looking at today’s results, there were ten finishers with times slower than 50 minutes. There’s always a tail walker so even if you were the last runner, you’d have someone with you.
I haven’t done loads of parkruns and they’ve varied a bit in how friendly they are. Last Saturday MrU and I arrived quite early and had a lovely time chatting to the marshals and the other people who miscalculated how long it would take to get there! Runners are usually a friendly bunch, and if you start near the back you’ll likely find others running at your pace.
I’ve always been pleased when I’ve gone, sometimes right at the end when it’s all finished! It’s a free event and nothing ventured, nothing gained! Plenty of great runners love park run and plenty of others aren’t keen. Either way it’s not going to make a difference to whether you’re a great runner or not-it’ll just tell you if you like that particular parkrun or not!
It’s definitely worth asking over on the parkrun thread Cmoi has linked you to. There are lots of regular park runners there who often visit other park runs so you might get lucky with someone who knows it!
Yes, there are running clubs at parkrun, but what makes you think they’re all fast runners? I belong to a club and there’s a real mix of ages and paces! I’m one of the slower runners.
I’ve done my local parkrun twice. It’s a 2 lap course and the fast runners yelled “Well done!” as they lapped me! It’s a really friendly atmosphere. I would do it more often but 5K just isn’t a distance I like to run that often. I like the social side though and your post has made me want to go again 😊
The volunteers are there to cheer you on, or get a couple of friends to go with you and wave some pom-poms 😊! It’s fun.
I am not a regular Park Run runner as I love being a solo runner...BUT, every time I have been to one, they have been filled with the most amazing bunch of folk, supportive, encouraging and so, so friendly...
The first I did was a really, really difficult location one and the experience there was just incredible. The tail runner there was a Masters Runner who stayed with me the whole race and was the reason I was encouraged to visit other ones!
Pop across to Bridge and check out the post there, it will hearten you, and if you want a laugh.. read this
That’s interesting, I wonder how many parkruns those commentators have been to….not my experience……and I’ve done over 300 and volunteered over 100 times, and at quite a few different venues.
Parkrun is for everyone. if you’re not sure whether it’s for you just go along and watch (or volunteer - it’s only there because of volunteers)
Yes there are club runners, of course, everyone is welcome….there are also walkers, in fact there is a volunteer ‘parkwalker’ , as well as the ‘tail walker’ .
Have you looked at the parkrun uk website? parkrun.org.uk
All you need to know is there….
All parkrun aims to do is encourage people to participate in some weekly exercise, walking or running or whatever, I’ve known people to hula hoop all the way round!
Many use it to begin a fitness journey and many use it to get back to fitness, walking after surgery, a stroke, heart issues, recovery from cancer etc., everyone has their own story and reasons for being there….
Oh and you don’t have to have completed C25K to join in, there’s no pre requisites.
Hope you give it a go, then you can decide for yourself whether it’s for you.
Good luck!
Mx
oh and by the way, I’m not in a running club, I will never do 5k in under 30 minutes…..and parkrun is NOT a race….plus - there’s free stuff - free T-shirts - milestones for participating…..number of volunteer stints you’ve done and run participating…..go check it out! I am very proud of my 100 volunteer T-shirt. 😁What’s not to like!
Brilliant post Madge50 and thank you for all those volunteering efforts. We can't do it without people like you ⭐ I try and volunteer at least 1 in every 10 Parkruns.
Do it! I've run Parkrun 70 times at 35 different places all over the country. All I've found is a really friendly and inclusive event with a mix of ages and abilities...people walk the whole thing and I salute them. Sure, people fly around at 15-16 mins but my friend is over 80 and gets around in about an hour every week. It's such a lovely way to start a Saturday with like minded people. There's no pressure or expectation on anyone...just enjoy it 🙌
It's telling that the founder of parkrun is happy that the average of finishing times is getting slower. It means more people who are not speedy are taking it up.
There's also been the recent move to remove some speed-related stats from the website which has angered a few.
At parkrun the only person you're competing against is you from the past.
Thanks folks, that's reassured me somewhat. I'll give it a go, what's the worst that could happen? I'll lose an hour in bed and spend 50 minutes going around a very pretty lake.
As others have said, park run is for all i waited til I had completed C25k but no reason to take part earlier, have done just over 90 and nowhere near 30 mins and very unlikely too and not an issue for me or any of the other park runners. I still use run/walk/run method as it suits and times have reduced but more importantly my health has benefitted both physical and mental. Give it a go
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W9r3...park run graduation!
Didn't make park run 
Park runs are brilliant!
Park Run Graduation!! 👊
