Parkrun, as a walker, with even slower DH

The parkrun I go to is very much 'fast runner' focused, just how they all used to be. I've never seen anyone at any parkrun walk the whole thing. Sometimes I see people doing a mix of walk/run. If you've checked your local times then I'm sure you'll be OK.

If it helps, I remember seeing something written by the park run founder (I think) who said that the average park run time was getting longer, people were slower, and he was delighted about that as it meant it wasn’t just ‘proper runners’ completing it, but it was also unfit people, walkers, elderly etc, it was becoming more open to ALL people regardless of their fitness levels.

I'd agree with this.

Check the finish times for the back of the pack at your local parkruns and see what they're like, but unless there are already people finishing in that time I'd just go for a walk separately. You don't need to do a parkrun to walk 5km.

It's funny really because this is the first ever thread about Parkrun I've seen that's even a tiny bit negative! If you posted this question again you'd probably get a different set of responses from people who totally love it.

@KweenieBeanz it helps that our running club is lovely, very inclusive and caters for all levels of runners from people who regularly place in top ten at races to the 12 minute milers. They run a couch to 10k every year and lots of the beginners stay on as members.

Our club members often don’t run the local parkrun as they almost always end up filling the volunteer slots. I think the inclusive attitude spills over to the parkrun. I’d like to think we are more a community than a clique!

That's lovely whatsthestory and how it should, people are much more likely to stick at it if they aren't shamed by someone clearly annoyed they've taken a while. I've volunteered many times myself like you. But sadly not all are like this and it can feel really cliquey to some especially as some take it way too seriously for a Saturday morning free timed run!

It was a lighthearted remark that I find Parkrun a bit early for my taste. Sorry, forgot we're not really allowed to enjoy ourselves around here these days without someone trying to parse ever word in a sentence @AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair

Running club type here. I often volunteer at our local park runs. I’m delighted to cheer everyone over the line, be it 17 minutes or 70. You are out in the fresh air getting exercise which is what counts.

Some are more accessible to walkers than others. The big one near me has loads of fast runners which puts walkers off. The smaller one is more varied and has lots of people who only run/walk once a week at parkrun, so much slower overall.

Just go for a walk then? Why do you need park run?

@Spudlet we are on the flat along the promenade so it needs to be reopened to the public (not that it's shut but the signage needs removing etc before 10am) the field section has kids football matches from 10.30am so they are beginning to set up on the field. An hour is a good guide as a max as 5km is normal walking speed

Tall about off putting for people who probably need it the most! Maybe some of the park runs should change their advertising to, open for all as long as you don't keep us waiting!

I can completely understand people not wanting to be there all day, but this quote is from their website, if it's not true then they shouldn't say it.

parkrun is a positive, welcoming and inclusive experience where there is no time limit and no one finishes last. Everyone is welcome to come along, whether you walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate.

The only time I've felt slightly impatient as a volunteer was a day it was freezing cold (possibly snowing) and the last people to finish were a family of about 5, walking a dog, which I felt they potentially could have done just as easily without pr.
But that was because it was so freezing, I'm not normally bothered by people walking!!

As others have said - check the results for the last few weeks and see what the slowest times are. There are a couple near me - one is a lot less well attended and has some ups and downs and generally slowest times are around 45 minutes, but the other is much more well established and flat so they often have finishers around the 60 minute mark.

I have to say I'm slightly on the fence about slow walkers. I know that parkrun is open to all, but if your DH is going to take significantly longer than an hour then it doesn't feel fair on the volunteers to have to stay so long.

I probably am wrong for feeling this way as I know parkrun is for everyone and goodness knows I'm not a fast runner myself ( usually in last 10% of finishers) .

Ours regularly has people walking and finishing around 70 minutes. I've done a fair few around the country and most have had walkers. One of our local ones has been having a big push to attract walkers in recent weeks.

They're great events - hope you both enjoy yourselves.

you can look online to see all finish times. How slow were the slowest finishers at the PkRn you go to, see if you can not be hugely more time than usual slowest. The main PkRun DS likes to go to, you're supposed to pay £5 for parking, but it's not enforced before 10am. So that's quite motivating !

Ours has plenty of walkers/ slower joggers. It's a single lap with a bit of cross over so you aren't being overtaken constantly. Maybe try volunteering as well, it's quite sociable.

Your friend should be ashamed of herself. The whole point of parkrun is that it's accessible to everyone. Its free. I'm guessing your friend is one of the serious running types who now dominate /overrun a lot of parkruns tutting at slower runners who dont rapidly move out of their way as they lap them. If your friend doesn't like the walkers she should go and pay race entry fees for organised 5 and 10k runs intended for more serious runners looking to improve their times etc.
I used to quite like parkrun but sadly the running club types have basically taken it over.

I have really enjoyed parkrun over the years, mainly as a runner, but a few times as a walker. I'm up to about 170 since 2013. My 2 most regular parkruns have 150- 700 participants (one is a really big and busy park) and definitely have some walkers and usually a tail walker. They will also have fast runners, slow runners, people running with kids, running with prams, with dogs...

If I'm walking I can take roughly 53 minutes (brisk pace) to an hour or so. Some courses are hillier than others (and slower). All the ones I've been to are generally friendly, and I've been to about 12 around the country (and one in the USA).

Some tips:
Say hi or thank you to the marshals as you go around, stay in order in the finish funnel, remember to give back the finish token that they hand you at the end. You go up to a scanner volunteer, scan your barcode then their barcode and give theirs back, in order to get your time by email/text/on the website. Also what someone else said, please start towards the back of the group to allow the faster runners past. Unless it's a single lap course (I haven't found any of those yet, usually courses are 2-5 laps) you will get lapped/passed, so be aware and stay to one side of the path. Sometimes the super speedy folks are a bit intense.

There is normally a cafe nearby where people can gather afterwards for a chat. Volunteering is also a great way to get out and meet the organisers, runners, walkers and other volunteers.

Welcome to the parkrun community!

@baxterstockman As a volunteer, I
prefer walkers to the runners, especially the faster runners. I find that the faster ones are far more likely to be demanding and even rude to volunteers, whereas the walkers all just seem to be having a good time. If you’re going to volunteer, you have to accept that you are going to be there for as long as it takes. 🤷‍♀️

Also, who needs to run at 9am on a weekend? Pick a time that suits you.

No one needs to run, or walk, at any specific point but its sociable (hopefully!) safe and already measured. And good for gauging improvement if that's what your aim is.
I went away for a weekend recently and looked up the local parkrun. Saved me mapping out a route in an unfamiliar area.

I hope you find a supportive parkrun OP, and enjoy it.The parkruns I know of, welcome walkers but would reiterate what pp have said and check recent results from local parkruns to be sure.

This is a good idea - if you have more than one parkrun accessible to you, then check which has more stragglers.

Check the stats online of the times for yours. There are two near me and one has around 700 people, some who walk it in about an hour. The other is smaller and only has runners.

Id probably practice you both walking the course a few times before it to see your time and if it is manageable.

What do you mean by that?

Should people not enjoy going to parkrun because they don't need to do it? Are we only allowed to do necessary things now?

The walkers at my local one take about an hour, I've not noticed them beig hurried, there are hot drinks available so lots of people are still there at that time. Could you go along on a recce before you do your first one?