So, who's doing Parkrun in the morning?

[shakingmytambourineatyou]

Please inspire me as I always think of a reason not to go .

[quote HoliHormonalTigerlilly]**@ImInStealthMode* @rookiemere* thanks for the info!

How do the bar codes work? [/quote]
When you register, you get a unique bar code.

You need to have it with you at parkrun if you want to take your time logged.

You can print it out, or have it on display on your phone, or buy some of the personalised mercy that has a scannable barcode.

You then turn up, listen to the briefing and do the parkrun.

When you finish, the timekeepers click your time as you pass the line and enter the finish funnel. As you exit the funnel, you are given a token with a finish number and barcode on it.

You go to a scanner, who scans your personal barcode and your finish position barcode, and you give the finish token back - they're not souvenirs!

When the run has finished, the run director (or results processing volunteer) has the timekeepers' clicks and all the barcode scanning data uploaded, they check it over and then it becomes the results page.

So the time at click 1 is married up to the personal barcode scanned with finish token 1 and so on. It's why every briefing includes a homily against funnel ducking, as that puts out the time of everyone behind you!

If you've forgotten your barcode, don't funnel duck - take a finish token anyhow and just drop it back where they collect them. You'll then be listed as an 'unknown' in the results.

I'm not parkrunning today - feeling a bit lethargic (and racing tomorrow)

Aah thanks @AuntieStella for filling in that comprehensive answer, I'd come back to say the same while DH drives us to Parkrun!

Parkrun number 21 for me. I thought I’d done really well but when I got my time I was 25 seconds slower than last week - which had felt extremely hard!

@Phos

I won’t do it anymore. I liked the original concept of it being for everyone but now it’s all competitive and all about being the fastest and getting a PB. If it was really for everyone and not about competition, then the times wouldn’t be published online for all to see.

It's actually exactly the opposite. It started out as a time trial and attracted mainly faster runners. But gradually over the years it has become more inclusive with the organisers changing the ethos to be about health (physical and mental) and less about times.

It is far friendlier to slower runners and walkers than it was in the beginning for example changing the name of the tail runner to tail walker and constantly saying that nobody comes last at parkrun.

If they did away with the time-keeping a lot of people wouldn't go. They want to know how they are doing and have a baseline to beat. Just timing yourself isn't the same.

@Stylinson parkrun number for me and thought I'd done a bit better than last week, but Fitbit tells me my speed ( or lack of it) was exactly the same.

DD and I went along to park run - it’s a little walk from the car park and past a leisure centre.
We got to the leisure centre and the Run Director was outside - the route to the course was too icy as was the course itself.

So back we walked to the car. I did my own (not) parkrun. Hoping for better weather next Saturday!

@JuergenSchwarzwald Completely agree. Without the times and the camaraderie among runners of all abilities I wouldn't bother; I can run anywhere else any time.

Online results are great for checking how your friends did (if you weren't running together) and for new runners or tourists to check the fastest / slowest / average times at a given event.

I could not give less of a toss about any stranger's time specifically.

I did it!! Ran the whole thing for the first time ever! Normally I have to walk a bit on the final lap. PB of 29.05. Really pleased but slightly worried it’s a fluke! Massive turn out today.

I volunteered today.

Our numbers are now back to pre-pandemic levels.

We had lot of first timers today, plus tourists - quite a few of who had done 5 or fewer parkruns before, so getting in to tourism early!!

WhoAre

You might like to read this

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-38731822

It really doesn't matter if you're fat and unfit, or even if you can't run

If you google 'fat unfit parkrun' you'll find other inspiring stories too, and also online communities where you can find mutual support.

PS: well done on your PB Stylinson