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

I’m not a great runner. But there isn’t a parkrun near me at all. Such a shame.

If you want to find the hilliest parkruns (or the flattest) or just want to know how your parkrun compares to others, try this table:

jegmar.com/stats-hq/fastest-races/parkrun/

I'm lucky enough to live within 30 minutes of 4 Parkruns but I've only ever done the one that's closest.

This morning I did the UKs hilliest and LOVED it - trail run with stunning views across the lakes/fells, think I may become a regular

There’s one that goes through the park opposite my flat . I have no excuse!

I'm surprised mine's ranked in the 300s on that list, it has a bit of a lump and some subtle undulating but feels relatively flat for the most part. It was a fairly early one (on my first go, I ran in 30-32 mins and was one of the last which shows the social shift in parkrun over the last 5+ years as the appeal has broadened!), but it changed parks and renamed about 5 years ago when park 1 had a bad winter for mud and flood defence works were starting, affecting car parking and park 2 had completed some restoration works including new paths around the perimeter. Back in its original park it had a real hill

I'm surprised mine's ranked in the 300s on that list, it has a bit of a lump and some subtle undulating but feels relatively flat for the most part

I think that's because gentle undulations, although they add up, don't have the same sapping effect as one or two very steep hills. Huddersfield, for example, feels pretty much flat, but is around halfway in that list. No denying Whinlatter is the toughest though!

Hi just did my 20th Parkrun on NY day, there are 6 PR within about 30 minutes of my house and also a junior one too.

I've volunteered 4 times also. I would like to hit 50 PR this year and 25 volunteers too

Not sure if I can manage or not but I will give it a good shot.

QQ - do you display your barcode? Sorry first timer here and get nervous if I don't know protocol

Nope. Run with it in your pocket, and just get it out to be scanned after you cross the finish line

Please laminate or cover your barcode in sticky tape to protect it. Soggy/crumpled barcodes don’t scan!

And if you decide parkrun is for you I can recommend the key fobs/credit card barcodes you can buy from the website. I have them stashed everywhere just incase!

Thank you @Runningpink ... please can you forward me details of credit card / fob 👍🏼

Go on parkrun website, search for barcode, it’ll come up. I have a bracelet type of thing.

parkrun-barcode.com/

I keep my barcode in an old season ticket wallet which lives in my running belt so I rarely forget it. Hoping to hit my 250th parkrun next spring some time. I expect to be one of the slowest people ever to hit that milestone!

'Please laminate or cover your barcode in sticky tape to protect it'

Be careful - phone app usually can't scan creased laminate/sellotape, but can work with remarkably crumpled and scuffed paper. Phones can sometimes take a dislike to wristbands which have white barcode printed on pale background, and wristbands are much easier to scan if you can hold them out a bit (but not stretch them) so the barcode is flat.

So where are we all off to tommorow? I've got to be up en at um for the 42mile drive to Macclesfield. I've read there's a fair few sections on grass but I don't have trail shoes. So we'll see how that ends up 🤣 But planning on going there as there's an independent running shop I can pay a visit to on the way home to finally update my trainers. Hopefully. I'm on a budget and finding any decent stability shoes in a size 6/6.5 is proving tricky.

I'm revisitng the one where I fell last year! I didn't finish it that time, but have been a few months ago and just fast walked round it. So I should manage a PB this morning, even at a gentle canter. Currently making sure my headphones are fully charged.

PBs are course specific, for newbies. It's the fastest tiem you have done THAT parkrun.

I’m going to work :(, so I won’t be joining you today, but have fun!

I'm at Lowestoft parkrun today. Forgot my headphones, argh!!!

Morning parkrunners! A big welcome to everyone trying out their first one today , and have fun folks. Look forward to hearing run reports later

I’m gutted - can’t run today as had a Minor medical treatment yesterday and now I cant run for 48 hours. 😩

Volunteered today. Was a bit crazy there were over 700 runners!

The parkrun website has crashed - wonder if that is down to sheer numbers today?

We were (just) at a record breaking turnout for us (and usually it's even higher in the second week (ie the first one after school term starts and everyone is back from their hols)

Probably!

I did my second ever parkrun on new years day. My first was May 2019. I'm massively unfit but trying to get into running. I always feel bad because I'm SO SLOW. It took me 1 hr 4 mins on Wed. I just think all the volunteers must be thinking "get a move on, I want to get home". They all say lovely things, but they must be pissed off waiting for me.
I think I'll wait a while to do one again.

My son does junior parkrun, and I volunteer there every time he runs. I love volunteering