Parkrun tourism

[OrangeBananaFish]

I have done 30 different locations at parkrun and want to add to that. The problem is that I have done all the ones that aren't too far away from me and the same from my parents. I sometimes (not all the time) drag my family along with me, for which I feel guilty, though they appear fine to do so. We usually have another reason for being in that area.

Obviously I know that they are friendly and welcoming so not worried about that, but I don't want to really go alone if I can help it. Friends don't seem to 'get' the love of parkrun so not up for coming too far. Even running friends.

I quite like the idea of meeting up with other parkrun tourists, doing the run and then having a coffee/breakfast after. Any ideas where I can look for such people? I've searched facebook groups, but not sure if I can find what I'm looking for. Also while I don't mind getting up super early and travelling a bit to get to them, I also don't want it to take up all day so will still be in the same area of the country. Northern England.

So do I just suck it up and go on my own or try to find people to go with?

[AuntieStella]

I know exactly what you mean, especially as my NENDY creeps inexorablely further away!

I only really use FB groups for things like What Shoes Wednesday, and it wouldn't occur to me to try to arrange travelling together. I mean, we're all slightly obsessive in a similar sort of way, but they're strangers. I think one of the groups does have an 'everyone over to this one' every now and again, but I got the idea that it was some sort of sub-clique so I don't know how easy it would be to join in. If I find that page again, I'll post a link for you.

DH comes with me for most, and my DC are old enough to be left like slugs in their beds and that makes it easier. And I have running friends who I sometimes meet at a specific one, or if we're going further afield by car (in pursuit of a rare letter!) then we'll invite them to hop in with us. They're people I know from a running club, not parkrun itself.

Only other bit of advice is to chat to people wearing cow cowls. You never know what you might find out

[OrangeBananaFish]

I've joined the parkrun tourism group on facebook and going to buy a Cowl. I've seen people wearing them and often they are on their own so it might get me meeting people.

My Nendy is 21 miles away and only 5 are less than 30 miles away

[IsaLating]

Hi de hi! On 80 events, but limited in what’s nearby ( Northern Ireland)

Your cow cowl will be your new best friend, you’ll always have someone to chat to at events.

And keep may 14th free for the next cow fest get together!

[OrangeBananaFish]

And keep may 14th free for the next cow fest get together!
Intrigued where this is now.

My 20th location happened to coincide with a cowfest being at the same parkrun too. This was the first time I heard about the cowfest and everything about it.

[IsaLating]

We are trying this year to have it in several locations (so one in Scotland, 1 in NI, a couple in England but not London.)

What area are you in?

[OrangeBananaFish]

I'm in Northern England.

[IsaLating]

Temple newsam, marine parade? I’ll double Check dates

[AuntieStella]

Do any of you have the apps that log your progress across the 'unofficial' challenges?

DH looked at me pityingly when I suggested we save going to a newish one not that far away until its event number is either prime or in the Fibonacci sequence....

[IsaLating]

Oh yes! You can imagine my excitement about visiting the Hague with its Zuiderpark parkrun!

[AuntieStella]

I need a Z - I have the UK 24, but covid has stalled the full set!

[OrangeBananaFish]

Temple newsam, marine parade? I’ll double Check dates
Ooh Temple Newsome is on my to do list this year. Will keep an eye out.

Do any of you have the apps that log your progress across the 'unofficial' challenges?
I don't know what its called. It just says 5K on my phone, its a purpley coloured one. Its got all my progress on there.
Every Saturday I'm there checking my position and stopwatch bingo

[RelentlessForwardProgress]

@AuntieStella complete thread derail but please do tell what 'what shoes wednesday' is!

[IsaLating]

Lol, on the uk parkrun tourists Facebook group, people often ask what shoes ( trail or road) best for whatever event they are headed to that weekend, and they typically ask thus question on a wednesday. hence WSW.

[AuntieStella]

[quote RelentlessForwardProgress]@AuntieStella complete thread derail but please do tell what 'what shoes wednesday' is! [/quote]
It's a quirk of one of the parkrun tourists FB pages.

They got sick of the sheer number of same-y posts asking 'road or trail?'

So they set up (or signposted?) a spreadsheet which gives parkrunners' verdict on which shoes on which course, and told people to look before they posted as the chances are the answer is there. If someone still really needs to ask, they can but only on Wednesdays

[AuntieStella]

I don't know what its called. It just says 5K on my phone, its a purpley coloured one

Yup, that's one of them, and it's my preferred one. There's another called Running Achievements (white, with a black running figure in a circle). And I've heard there's a chrome extension that does the same thing (but as I don't use it, I don't know for sure)

I completed BeeGees recently!

[RelentlessForwardProgress]

@AuntieStella

[OrangeBananaFish]

There's another called Running Achievements
Thanks @AuntieStella I'm going to look that one up

[Lastqueenofscotland]

Whereabouts in the north are you? The northwest parkrun tourists page is lovely and you’ll find people to join you!

[Scorchedterf]

What’s a cow cowl , I’ve done two park runs so far , two different places and both on my own. I didn’t even think about needing company as we all run at different paces.

[emmathedilemma]

@Scorchedterf it's an unofficial parkrun group for people who've run at 20 different courses.

[emmathedilemma]

sorry, only half answered your question, the cow cowl is basically a yellow buff with cows on it. There's some story behind it that escapes me!

[IsaLating]

most events table

The first people to achieve 100 different events have the surname Cowell, hence the cow theme.

Here are some typical tourists saying Hi to each other.

[OrangeBananaFish]

@Lastqueenofscotland I'm in the North East. Wonder if there's a north east group. A quick search suggests not.

Anyway, my cow cowl arrived today. Typically I'm doing my home course tomorrow. I'm on 90 something runs there so would like to get to 100 there this year along with my 40th location.