parkrun 2020 - all welcome !

[CalmConfident]

Our long running parkrun thread has gotten very quiet, so with the last 2019 results processed thought it was a good time to refresh ready for 2020

Parkrun is a force for good. Run, walk or volunteer. All are equally welcome. Saturdays 9am 5k.

www.parkrun.org.uk/

So if you are a newbie first timer, a volunteer, a local regular or a challenge chasing tourist come join us here. Ask questions, share stories and let’s encourage each other in 2020

...and Don’t Forget Your Barcode #DFYB

[CalmConfident]

My link to main parkrun page for new registrations and general info did not work . Try this one !

www.parkrun.org.uk

[Lordfrontpaw]

Sounds horrible 😉. 🏃‍♀️ 🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️

[SegregateMumBev]

Hi everyone! Planning my new. Year day double, and then picking up a missing Wilson index number next Saturday.

[dementedma]

My brother and SIL are obsessed with bloody Park Run, as runners, as Marshalls, as organisers. Every weekend he posts about how it’s been, how wonderful it is and why isn’t everyone in the world doing it?

Because it’s early
Because it’s cold
Because it’s exercise.
So fuck off.

(That was to bro, not you op )

[SexIsAProtectedCharacteristic]

Hi all. Planning on a new year's run. Not a double though as I'm away with friends and have to fit round them.

Generally resolved to do parkrun more often in 2020.

[Luuby86]

I did my 50th run on 21/12 so made today my 1st volunteering stint as tailwalker. I really enjoyed it and am going to try and volunteer on a regular basis. I'm just trying to decide which run to go to on NYD as my home run isn't on.

[Redcrayons]

❤️ Parkrun. Trying to see how I can do a double on NYD.
I got my 25 volunteer tshirt this year and I'm hoping to get to 100 runs early 2020.

[LuckyLuckyWoman]

Love Parkrun. My local is a tough one, but well worth the effort.

Made some lovely new running friends over the last year.

My aim for next year is to run every Parkrun when I'm not in work on a Saturday.

[Gnome134]

I did my 37th park run today. Started in November last year (aged 44) after completing a beginner's running course. Never been sporty or athletic before. Love it, despite the early start although my kids usually have me awake early anyway! I've also volunteered three times so far. One of the main reasons I started running was coming across the MN park run thread and wondering if I could do it.

[Kubo]

We are taking the dc to do the junior one tomorrow. We did a few last year but it fizzled out when dd1 lost interest. She wants to join a football team now though so we’ve convinced her by telling her she needs to build stamina.

I have also jumped into the middle of C25K for the millionth time, so I’ll be run/walking it with them. Hope we get round without too much complaining (from me or dd1!)

[Kitkatforchristmasdinner]

How often do people volunteer? There's hopefully going to be a parkrun very close to me soon and I want to do it each week. Do you think volunteering after every 10th parkrun is okay?

[megletthesecond]

Here 🙋‍♀️.
Ran today. And managed to get both dc's out. DS knew he wasn't allowed to spend the day on fortnite unless he went. DD mainly goes for the hot chocolate afterwards. Mine are both old enough to run on their own now, I'm relieved we finally got to this point.

[megletthesecond]

Not sure where that pink symbol came from. Don't have my contacts in.

[SegregateMumBev]

There are no "rules" on volunteering, do it whenever it suits you.

I quite often choose a role that means I can still run (tail walker, pacer, sighted guide. pre course set up, take down etc), and I also volunteer at Juniors nearly every week. I was injured for a few months this year, so I used those non-running weeks to volunteer.

[bulletjournalbilly]

@gnome ..... you've just inspired me ... I'm 43 next year and need to get my butt moving

[yessirnosir]

I just ran my first park run yesterday! Rest of my family do it and I’ve been doing the C25k and this was the last run. Turns out my inner criticism of the c25k was correct - I definitely wasn’t running 5k in 30 mins, but I will at some point! I used to run loads and could run a sub 50 10K, but I am ten years older and two stone heavier - I’m going to use park run to measure some goals!

[AuntieStella]

I was tail walker for my last parkrun of 2019.

I'm planning a New Year double - same pairing as the start of this year. It was a great morning!

I volunteer about once a month, almost always at my home parkrun, but I have done some voluntourism. Our event director reckons that, on the basis of our typical weekly number of runners, if everyone volunteered 3 times a year we'd never be short of volunteers again.

[CalmConfident]

@AuntieStella I was tailwalker too on Saturday

Looking forward to welcoming new folk on NYD plus the C25k graduates a few weeks later. Then Junior parkrun launching in early spring. Going to be a busy 2020

[RubySlippers77]

I'm nowhere near fit enough for actually running parkrun but would love to join and walk it! I don't have anyone to leave my DC with though; they've just turned 4 so would be able to do the junior one. I'm guessing I wouldn't be able to walk/ run it with them?!

[AuntieStella]

Yes, you can accompany your DC round juniors.

Over 14s don't go through the finish funnel though - so let them do their sprint finish All By Themselves

[RubySlippers77]

Thanks @AuntieStella! We will hopefully be at a parkrun soon then

There is also a nice park and cafe at our local one, bonus!

[runningpink]

As others have said unfortunately no rules as to volunteering but if everyone done three stints a year it would help.
Even one in 10 runs or once a month would be amazing!

I would say please if you parkrun regularly and haven’t volunteered yet to go and give it a go. Would take some pressure off your core team and you wouldn’t have parkrun without volunteers.

If you are worried about the different roles speak to the RD and they will happily explain what’s involved if that helps you choose which role you want to try. Or ask away on here and I can fill you in. And you always get briefed before you start of the event.

My parkrun goals this year are:
to hit my 100 runs/100 volunteers on the same day. Hopefully by the summer.
Get my tourism up to 20 events. Currently on 11.
A few more stopwatch bingo times and alphabet letters would be good but not going to chase them.
And finally to get back into running sub 24mins again and to break the sub 23min barrier by end of the year. (PB is 23.12 so feel it’s doable if I put the work in)

Undecided on whether il do the double today. Definitely volunteering and running at my home run then il see how I feel about making a mad dash to the next event!

Have fun parkrunning today everyone!

[Newyearnewme2020]

Hi all, I'd like to join. So it's just a once a week thing?

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

Yes, every Saturday at 9am. Free 5k timed run or walk. The parkrun website will show you the nearest parkrun to you. You can register online and print off your personal barcode, which you need to take with you to get a timed result. You can still do the run if you forget it, you just won't get a time. No need to tell anyone you're coming, you just turn up.

I love parkrun. I hated PE at school and was hopeless at all sport. It's no exaggeration to say that parkrun has changed my life. I'm very slow but that's OK. The founder, Paul Sinton-Hewitt, is very proud that every year the average finishing time goes up, indicating that more and more non-athletes are getting involved.

Happy New Year to all parkrunners!

[Newyearnewme2020]

Thanks Gasp, I'm in Ireland and my nearest one is a half an hour drive away, but I think I'll try and find a 5k walking route closer to my house and attempt it every Saturday at 9am. I'll have two kids with me, one in a buggy and one walking, so it will be a walk for me not a run, but sounds great to have a target of doing it at 9am in the morning. I think I'd feel great after it.