Parkrun - has anyone walked it?

[Sofiria]

Hi! I'm looking for ways to be more active and shift a bit of weight this year. Parkrun looks like good fun, and on their website it says that it's fine to jog or walk the course, but I'm curious as to whether many people actually do this.

I'm very unfit and can't run or jog but I've got a steady walking pace and usually walk 5k in 55 minutes or thereabouts. I know I wouldn't be stopped from doing this but I'd feel very embarrassed about finishing last, on my own after having been lapped a few times by all the serious runners (memories of school cross-country, ugh) and would be put off trying again.

If it makes a difference I'd be looking at one of the courses in London - probably Highbury Fields, but I'd travel a bit further if there's a course that's particularly walker-friendly.

Anyone have any experiences to share, positive or negative?

[megletthesecond]

sof I've marshalled at our parkrun on the last corner and it really didn't bother me that people were coming in after 50 mins. One of my friends said it would be fine for me to head off but I refused and said I was standing at my post until everyone had been cheered home. I'm used to my whiny 7yo holding us up so certainly wouldn't get fed up waiting for others to finish.

[Sofiria]

Samantha, I absolutely don't want to inconvenience volunteers by making them wait an extra 15 minutes while I finish. That's one of the reasons I started this thread, to ask about it, and why after your first responses and checking the usual times at my local Parkrun, I completely agreed with you that it's not appropriate for me to join in just now.

However, I do take issue with your idea that someone wanting to walk the course is someone who doesn't even try and doesn't make an effort. I think that's very unfair. There's also a vast difference between a leisurely inconsiderate stroll and and a brisk walk by someone who is trying to improve their low fitness level. Everyone has to start somewhere!

It looks like the culture of Parkrun varies quite considerably between venues in terms of inclusion/acceptance of slower people. Neither way seems wrong to me, they're just different. If I lived near one where finishing times of close to an hour weren't atypical (and so the volunteers would be expecting it), I'd participate. I don't, so I won't.

As for 'the clue is in the name' their website seems actively encouraging of people who want to walk, or only complete part of the course, or whatever. Obviously theory and practice can be different - which, again, is why I started this thread instead of just turning up. I don't think I was unreasonable to ask about it.

[rookiemere]

I stand corrected, it is not frowned upon to walk parkrun.Here's the advice on my local one:
Please ensure that you are fit enough to walk, jog, run 5k (3.1 miles) with us.

Most recent results show tail runner coming in at 45 mins, but generally there is a few slower than that but generally more likely to come in the warmer weather.

[rookiemere]

Sofira - if you're checking the most recent results, they are a bit atypical, looks like only the real keany beanies were out during the festive period.

I got a shock when DH and I went along to one at my SILs on Boxing day. I'm not overly fast and average around 33-35 mins but at my large local one there is usually around 400 people taking place so whilst I'm towards the back I'm not usually in danger of being last, but there were only around 100 at this one and I was pretty much at the back apart from a family and a person with a buggy, so yes it's worth checking out the results of a few local ones for a week.

I should have read your original post properly - 55 mins doesn't seem excessive, on most courses you'd still get a couple of people in at around 45 mins, so it's not like you're asking all the volunteers to hang around for an eternity.

[clary]

Yes I agree re times, numbers have been down (not surprisingly!) at ours recently, due to it being muddy and rainy!

Not many PBs either. Only the keenest are out at the moment. We did one on Christmas Day (!!) and I came about 80th where I normally come more like 130th. Terrible time too but I was glad to do it. About 140 runners that day, we often have 240. I would imagine if you look at spring/summer runs you might find some slower runners - 35 mins for the slowest is not slow at all!!

[mudandmayhem01]

Just remember however slow you are, you are lapping those on the couch.

[BoggyEyedMum]

OP - we have somebody at our local Parkrun who currently does just one lap (it's a two lap course) as she's building her fitness with the aim of managing two laps in a few weeks time. Is this something worth considering?

Also, is there a local running club who offer a beginner's night? This is how I got into exercise. Ours offers something similar to C25K, and club members who have completed coaching courses take the newbies out, along with other volunteers. It's fun and friendly, and running in company and with enthusiastic encouragement helps you to stick with it. My own club didn't expect beginners to have any previous running experience (I had none at all and was very unfit), it's worth looking on-line to see if there is anything similar in your area. Good luck

[lljkk]

the most recent results, they are a bit atypical, looks like only the real keany beanies were out during the festive period

ha! I just checked the 3 nearest park runs again, but this time a pleasant weather time of yr (27-6-15).

Last runners in @ 42, 47 & 47 minutes.

My boss's daughter won one of those... I didn't even know she was a runner. Dark horses. Right, shutting laptop now so I can stop stalking.

[rookiemere]

clary - I'll take that 35 mins for the slowest is not slow at all as a rare compliment on my running ability .

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

Me too, I love that 35m isn't slow . My time yesterday was 35.21 and I was 246 out of just under 300.

[AIN]

My local one, the last came in after 56 minutes.

[clary]

35 mins is not slow! Lots of youngsters do it at that speed at our run, also men and women of all ages.

Just checked ours - yesterday (horrid day here, rainy and v v muddy) slowest was 47 mins with 15 peeps over 40 mins (to be fair most of those people had much better PBs).

Went back to a biiig one in August (260+ runners) - slowest was a 10yo in 53 mins, tail runner was 43 mins, next one 41 mins; biiig one in May with 280 runners, 16 over 40 mins, tail runner and one other 51 mins, couple of others 49 mins.

OP you'll find not many people doing these kinds of times, but you should still go for it!

[AmandaTanen]

Samantha28 - your comments could put people off running though, thankfully I don't think you are a part of the park runs I'm involved in where all abilities are welcome.

[Samantha28]

I'm entitled to my opinion Amanda . And I'd be obliged if you would stop implying I said things that I didn't .

I'm going to bow out now and wish you all success in whatever exercise you plan for 2016

[standingonlego]

This thread is getting a little feisty !

Facts. My local parkrun has 10% of finishers over 40 minutes. That is from a field of 300-350 runners. We are not a slow course either.

We are inclusive and encouraging. Some of our final runners home are known regulars. Last home this week has nearly 50 parkruns under her belt, a PB of 49m but normally about 55m. We also have number of veterans in our crew who take it steady. Bob (vm80-85) has done every week (think he is on 170 something runs). We love him (he used to do sub 17m in his youth)

Volunteers respect everyone who turns up and tries, the only way to get faster is by practice. If you get round in an hour go for it, you would be supported and encouraged by our gang. Couch to 5k is great, but come join in as part of that - you do not have to wait.

If you are a bit daunted by running, you can volunteer to start with too and get a real view of how it works.

[Redcrayons]

There's loads of people walk it at the one I go to. There's a man who completes it in a wheelchair. There's loads of little kids as well.

Bear in mind that this time of year, in the cold and rain, you tend to get the more die hard runners there so it will be a bit 'quicker' than it is when it's warmed up a bit.

the thing with running is that every time you do it, it's gets a tiny bit easier. So you might have to walk the first and second time, but the third time you might be able to jog half a lap and so on till you can run all the way!

[WiIdfire]

From the Parkrun website FAQ:

"Can I take part?

YES.

Anybody and everybody, of all ages and running abilities take part in our runs, as a runner, jogger, or walker."

I agree that the whole ethos of Parkrun is to get people outside and moving, whether that is at speed or not. Some posters here have given the impression that volunteers would get annoyed if you were too slow, but I have never found that to be the case. (I have volunteered myself). It really would not be a problem if you wanted to walk it to start off with. However, if you are worried about being self-conscious, I would recommend you found a bigger event and looked at the finishing times. My local event has 300-400 people and the last finisher is usually around 50-55 minutes, not always the same person either. Please don't think you won't be welcome, just because a few of the faster runners posting here don't think the slow joggers and walkers are making enough effort. It is just completely untrue. Hope to see you at my local Parkrun.

[steppemum]

last week at our parkrun, 22 people came in slower than 40 minutes and they were spread out right through to 59 minutes.

[feetheart]

Oh dear, I've just found this thread but haven't read all of it, possibly a good thing as some of what I have read has made me more than a bit cross !
I set up our local parkrun and have run at about 10 others over the past 18months. What I loved about parkrun from the very first time I encountered it (and at every parkrun I've been to) was the complete inclusivity. Absolutely EVERYONE is welcomed and the very fact that they are there and doing something is celebrated.
We average about 150 and always have runners and walkers. Yesterday we had people pushing buggies, running with dogs, running with children, elderly ex-athletes with artificial hips who either run or walk as fast as they can (we have at least 2!), someone with cerebral palsy, a regular running with her autistic son for the first time and a number of people who were there for the very first time and walked most, if not all, of it. About 10% came in over 40 minutes and the tail runner (always the last to cross the line) came in just under 54 minutes with a little gang who he had accompanied, and chatted to and encouraged, all the way round. This is not unusual.

Sofira - I'm not so sure that attitudes at parkruns do vary that much. Possibly the attitudes of some of the runners do but the core teams and most of the volunteers 'get' what parkrun is all about and relish it. I know we get INFINITELY more satisfaction from a newcomer achieving their first 5k in 58 minutes than from the course record being broken.
Someone did say that this time of year is quieter, which is true, but we still get a wide range of people and times. When did you have a look at the results local to you? If it was a few weeks ago then it really would have been atypical as we went down to under 100 for the first time as the weather was rotten and lots of people were off doing their Christmas shopping.
If you do want to ask any other questions away from this thread please PM me and I will be happy to answer anything and please don't think you will be too slow - you won't, you really, really won't. parkrun really is for everyone inspite of what some people may imply.

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

I only have experience of one parkrun which is extremely inclusive and welcoming to people of all abilities. I walk the course most weeks (I can't run, I have a bad knee). I'm rarely the only walker. I often have one or more others with me who either can't/won't run ever or can't run at the moment. We actually come in only a very few minutes behind the slowest runner.

My husband is a keen runner and a regular at this parkrun, which I suppose made it a lot easier for me to get involved there, but it would have been OK even if I'd gone in cold because the regulars and especially the run directors/regular marshals are so good at making people feel welcome.

I always thank the marshals and other volunteers as I go round for the last time but I have never once been left with the impression that they have been getting impatient waiting for me. I volunteer too and that has certainly never been my atttitude when I've been out on the course.

I second the idea that a good way to get over any anxiety about taking part might be to start by volunteering and getting to know people. But even if you went in cold, at the start of our parkrun the run director always asks if anybody is doing parkrun for the first time ever and those people get a huge cheer. The run director and others are looking out for them at the finish and congratulate them on getting round, or on the odd occasion that they don't, they encourage them to have another go another time.

Good luck!

[SaltySeaBird]

I'm so glad plenty of other people have joined this thread with positive stories about how Parkrun is inclusive of all. It really is and I hope you give it a go Sofiria.

[WhoKn0wsWhereTheMistletoes]

For those involved in running them, is there a good reason why they are all on Saturday at 9? Surely it would make sense if some were on Sundays too. I'd love to give it a try but Saturday at 9 is majorly inconvenient.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

Maybe getting the volunteers would be hard for two days Who?.

[WiIdfire]

The original organisers decided that doing them all in the same day of the week at the same time would be easiest. It means if you are visiting elsewhere, you can still pitch up to a different parkrun, knowing it will start at 9 am. There are runs on Sunday, but they are junior parkruns for younger children. Sat at 9 seems a good time - any earlier and people wont be up, any later and it fills your day. I would think more people lie in on sunday than saturday.

[WhoKn0wsWhereTheMistletoes]

Thanks, I don't mean they should have one in the same place on both a Saturday and a Sunday, that obviously wouldn't be fair on the volunteers but if there were two fairly nearby one could be on Sat and one on Sun. It just seems as though they are probably missing out on a lot of potential participants by sticking to one day/time.