Can anyone talk to me about Parkrun (Parkwalk?!)

[sausagerole]

I really want to start making changes to my fitness levels, having done barely anything for the last few years. I hate running but do want to be outdoors with the kids and DP, so love the idea of parkrun.

Do you have to run? Could I do a brisk walk instead? I'm all sorts of nervous that I'll get laughed out of the park. I'm not a total dead-weight (I did an 8k forest/lakeside walk the other day in 2.5 hours) but definitely one of the slower ones! Does anyone have any tips or advice?!

Yes, you can walk. I walk most of it. There's tailwalkers at the back so you won't be last. It takes me about 52 minutes to walk it. There's people of all levels of fitness and age there.

I've found everyone to be really friendly and welcoming, I'd definitely recommend trying it.

It depends on where you go but I would say don't be disheartened if yours is horrible, go to another. I did the one near the city centre in the posh area. I didn't finish it because it was ridiculous. Up steep hills and through biggy marsh land. I took a detour back to the car park at 4k. The one near my work is a lovely one round a flat beautiful park and the people are nicer too.

I volunteer regularly as tailwalker

Yes, it's fine to walk (I'll either chat to people, or if they want to be left alone I'll walk a bit behind them, so they aren't particularly aware I'm there)

At a guess, most participants are finished by about it 65mintes, but it's fine if you're longer.

Parkrun was tweeting this week about a woman who celebrated her 90th birthday by doing her first Parkrun, and I think she took a fair bit longer.

Yes I quick walk up the hills ! Some parkruns seem to have more people in the post 40 minute range up to 60 minutes. So if it s like mine it becomes a lone effort at the end... most are under 35 minutes... i try to beat the 7 yr old who is just in front with his parent .... but tail walker is behind (usually with the 80 yr old who has had 2 hip replacements...awesome!) . And it s about me not anyone else . My first was nearly 44 minutes.. now down to 40 after 6 weeks. A (male) first timer came in at 49 last week...
Go for it !