Parkrun - a few questions

[MummyInTheNecropolis]

I’ve recently completed couch to 5k and am still running 3 times a week which I really enjoy. I would like to sign up for my local parkrun. I’ve heard that they are generally friendly and inclusive (ie you don’t have to be professional athlete level)! Is this your experience? I’ll be going on my own, I usually listen to music or a podcast while I run, could I do this during a parkrun or do people like to chat as they run? I’m not sure I’m even physically capable of talking while running but I don’t want to seem antisocial!

Any other tips for a parkrun beginner?

Yeah absolutely friendly and encouraging. All abilities including walkers, dogs, prams! I only do it occasionally but DH runs every week. There is usually a run time marker so if you do 30 min 5k start off by the 30 min pace maker. Have fun and of course you can listen to music . I can’t run and talk either. You can chat before and after if you want or just turn up , run and leave. There is no pressure

They are all really friendly, I try and do a new one most weeks and never been to any that aren't friendly. Go at your own pace, lots do wear headphones so that's fine. Sometimes I'll chat and run sometime not. It's a great way to spend Saturday morning!

Check the finish times for the one you'll go to. Some near me are quite fast so as a slower, newer runner you might be way off the back.

We only have pace markers when a local running club provides them, so they’re by no means universal.

We go as a family every week, DC7 usually does between 40-45 minutes and there’s usually a couple of people behind us. You can look on the page for your run and it will show you the average time.

It's fine. I often volunteer as a park walker or tail walker. There are always people who walk the whole route, I am normally finishing at about hte 55 min mark if tail walking as I have to follow the last person in.....so you will never be last :)

Just have any music down low so you can hear anyone coming up behind you - remember some are 2 or 3 lap courses so you may well get lapped and need to hear calls to stay to the right.

You can reassure yourself by looking at the finish times from last week at your local PR to see the range. They're all super friendly. But fine to be antisocial if you prefer. Basically every possible type of runner will be there. Super speedies at the front. Run-walkers at the back. And everything in between.

They are really friendly but you can engage/chat as much or as little as you want. I tail walk at the parkrun I go to and we never ever leave anyone behind. As a guide as tail walkers we tend to finish between 55 minutes to 1hr15 depending who turns up.

Lots of people wear headphones, lots of other people chat. Some people turn up, run/walk, leave. Others get there early to socialise, run/walk then hang around after for a coffee and a chat.

I am honestly the most socially awkward person you could meet and I have never felt uncomfortable at parkrun.

I sometimes run, sometimes walk, sometimes mix it up, sometimes talk, sometimes listen to audio, sometimes enjoy the quiet (I'm towards the back). Of my two regular ones the smaller one usually has the last finishers around 55 mins, the larger one 1hr 10mins, but the volunteer tailwalkers always bring up the rear.

Or to the left, listen out for instructions at the beginning. One of my regulars is a keep left and the other is a keep right course.

Oh we don't have Pacers at our parkrun but after you have been a little bit you will find regulars of a similar pace or just faster and you can try to keep up or even pass them. My son is currently aiming to come in before "the man with the yellow t shirt" not that yellow t shirt man knows this.

The beauty of parkrun is there will be people who take 15 minutes and people who take over an hour and they are all welcome. It's best to check on headphones, there isn't a firm rule but some parkruns prefer people not to wear them so that you can hear marshals etc. Generally if you can't chat at least in short sentences, you're probably running faster than you need to. If you go to the parkrun website each individual parkrun has a page where you can find out more about that particular event and anything to be aware of. There's normally a first timer briefing 10 minutes before the start which covers useful things to know. Have fun - and don't forget your barcode!

It sounds ideal for you if you're already running 5K regularly. I always listen to music but you do need to stay alert to others and able to move aside etc. for the very fast runners, but that's part and parcel of running in a public place anyway.

It’s absolutely my experience! I’ve been going to ours for years as either runner or volunteer and I’ve done everything from 26 minute runs to an hour slogging along at a walk when I was pregnant or had tiny DS in a sling. Sometimes I’ve been a lone wolf, sometimes I’ve had lovely chats with other slow runners / walkers either from here or visiting. Never, ever have I felt awkward or too slow or unwelcome. The only thing I’d say about listening to something is that it’s better to wear one ear phone or bone conductors so you can hear people trying to get past or warn you of something. Our Parkrun uses a shared walking / cycle route and there’s often a ‘bikes coming through’ shout from behind. Enjoy OP, don’t forget your barcode, and don’t funnel duck!

Yes, I only wear one earbud so I can still hear what's going on around me. We don't usually have pacers either, again just when a running club joins us.

Park run is generally really friendly and inclusive with a whole range of abilities. Our local one has anything from people running 17 minute 5ks (that’s fast for that course) up to over an hour.

if using over head or in ear headphones then don’t turn your music up too much so you can stay aware of your surroundings as people may want to pass you. Try and start at the point in the pack that’ll suit your pace. So if your 5k is under say 25 mins then start nearer the front. 25-35 mid pack 35+ nearer the back. That way you’ll be more likely to be with people who run at a similar pace to you and you won’t have loads of faster people trying to get past or have to go around lots of slower people.

have fun and don’t forget your barcode. Just a screen shot of it on your phone is fine.

Thank you, this is all really helpful. I’ve just had a look at the results page and they range from 17:40 to 53:45. It usually takes me around 35-40 mins to complete 5k so I shouldn’t be last! Think I’ll forego the AirPods for my first time so that I can stay alert and listen to any guidance given. Will let you know how I get on!

@MummyInTheNecropolis fantastic decision.

Where are you roughly based. We can rate your local parkrun! Some near me have 600 and some 100 people. I prefer the bigger one so my plodding is less noticeable!

I switch my music off whilst they do the announcements at the beginning and then back in at the start of the race with strava on at the same time.

I never chat to anyone L. Park run is great and it's good to run against others. Lots of slow folk aa well as super fast. I'm in the middle.

Yeah there is no obligation to talk - not much chatting on the run unless friends running in a pair - it’s nice running together though. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. Good luck

ps I always have my head phones on. Turn on as start.

I’m in south London. My local parkrun has over 400 runners. I’m looking forward to it! I can’t make it this week but plan to go next Saturday.

Good luck OP. Im sure you will enjoy it x

I do the Bromley one if that helps. It’s flat and busy so you are never at the back! The Beckenham place park one is apparently a bit hilly. I avoid that 😂

Just don't block your hearing with huge headphones.
One of my regular courses has out and back legs with awkward shifts from keep left to keep right. I've been there with a bulging mid-pack sprawling across the path and unable to hear instructions from marshalls, and other runner bellowing at them so they can avoid a head on collision against a front runner running twice as fast with no space.
But it's generally good advice for running anyway!

They're welcoming and encouraging but you can go without having conversations.

Sometimes I'll randomly chat while waiting for the briefing. After years of going, I'm familiar with a lot of regulars who run/ volunteer for a few of the local events so often exchange greetings or wave

It's a good idea to look at the route first and there's usually a first timers briefing around 5-10mins before the main briefing with further details.

You won't need your barcode until the end when you show that and your finish token to the barcode scanners. It can be on paper, a phone (garmin have a widget) or a watch. Some regulars have accessories like wristbands with it printed on.