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Original poster

Slowest Parkrunner, feeling demoralised

261 replies

slet · 07/02/2026 12:01

I’ve done 3 park runs. I know it’s early days. The first one I did in 42 minutes jeffing. Then I have done two at an another one local to me where ds is now volunteering, so I have to take him. It’s very small, very rural, and seems to attract v hardcore runners unlike bigger ones where there is more of an ability spread. I did it last week in 46 mins and today in 45. Parts of it are so muddy and im so scared of slipping, i have to walk very slowly not run.

im just so embarrassed at how terribly slow i am, i dont enjoy it at all and i can’t understand how people actually do this for pleasure and get addicted to it. A very elderly man with a limp was faster than me today and i just feel like giving up and thinking what is the point.

please can someone encourage me to keep at it?

OP posts:
EnchantedDaytime · 09/02/2026 13:37

MyThreeWords · 09/02/2026 13:32

This lovely thread is making me feel I should do a park run. I never have, but when much younger I did participate in quite a few running events. They tended to be called fun runs in those days.

If my treadmill time were to translate into real-world running time , it would make me 366th out of 474. I'm guessing I am significantly slower in the real world, so will aim at around 420th -- if I have the nerve to go!

The local course route looks a bit complicated. Are the organisers good at having volunteers in place to shoo numpties in the right direction?

Yes, they have a map on their web page, a copy of it at the start and always do a little talk for newcomers to explain it and there are cones, arrows and marshalls at all the points where you might take a wrong turn.

RunningAndSinging · 09/02/2026 13:37

@MyThreeWords yes - there is normally a marshal at every place you might go the wrong way and if not a marshal then an arrow. Also a first timers welcome at the beginning where there is often (but not always) a map and always someone to talk through the route and what happens.

RudolphTheReindeer · 09/02/2026 13:56

You beat the millions of people who cba to even get off the sofa op! I think 45 mins is a perfectly good time too if you're not a hard core runner. And you improved by a minute so that's something too

Sadworld23 · 09/02/2026 14:54

Hrft but i guarantee you are faster than me, i don't even make it to the start line, never mind the finish.

Think 'taking part rather than point scoring..

sunflowerdaisies · 09/02/2026 14:59

I just looked, at my local parkrun you’d have had 25 people behind you and 5 took longer than an hour! You will get faster if you do more (if you want to) but doing it at your current speed is also great!

rookiemere · 09/02/2026 17:25

Sorry OP I meant to comment on this earlier but forgot.

I have been doing parkrun for over 10 years. Unlike most people who get faster, I have become slower as menopause, weight gain and other things have hit. I count it a success if I am not last before the tail runner. Unfortunately our nearest course is quite a brutal one, so that sometimes happens. I keep doing it because slow as I am, being able to get round 5km at a slightly faster than walking pace is still a marvellous achievement for a 55 year old and great cardio exercise, but also because the volunteers and atmosphere at parkrun are just so marvellous.

The only time I had an issue and posted about it here was when there was some other event going on and an inordinate number of passers by started clapping and cheering as I did my last km. I am sure it was meant in a supportive way, but it did feel a bit like the “good going fatty” that someone mentioned. I don’t mind the volunteers doing it because they cheer everyone, but I also don’t like it when the fast runners shout “well done” when we pass as we’re both doing the same distance.

BogRollBOGOF · 09/02/2026 17:30

ResusciAnnie · 09/02/2026 09:12

Same here OP - they say ‘no one is last’ but that’s patronising bullshit - of course someone is last. The volunteers’ claps get more condescending the slower you are too - I know because people who lapped me were in front of me, finishing, getting proper encouragement and then they turned to me all simpering and were like ‘oh well done you’re doing alright for a fatty! One more lap! You’re amazing’ 😂
Did my first one the other day - 41 mins, not too bad IMO. On the stats there were like 20 people behind me but they must not have finished. I’ll do it again but I can’t see myself getting culty about it! The fantatical aspect of anything is always such a turn off for me.

I did a similar time recently. I'm usually around the 29-33 min zone, but my legs weren't having any of it that day. My whippet-like DS (12) was with me too. When on form, he's nauseatingly fast, but he's been injured and had a break so took it easy on his return. The encouragement is genuine and recognises that people towards the back have put in the effort for longer than those who finish sooner.

Katie0909 · 11/02/2026 22:02

It is fantastic that you get up on a Saturday and go running with lots of other people to witness it. You will gradually get faster if you stick at it bit, even if you don't, it's the getting out and doing it that matters. You feel self conscious being slower than others but I can guarantee they have nothing but admiration for you. As long as you enjoy it, or at least feel good for doing it, then that is all that matters. As a snail like runner myself I salute you for doing park runs.

KarriTreeSullivan · 12/02/2026 13:22

MyThreeWords · 09/02/2026 13:32

This lovely thread is making me feel I should do a park run. I never have, but when much younger I did participate in quite a few running events. They tended to be called fun runs in those days.

If my treadmill time were to translate into real-world running time , it would make me 366th out of 474. I'm guessing I am significantly slower in the real world, so will aim at around 420th -- if I have the nerve to go!

The local course route looks a bit complicated. Are the organisers good at having volunteers in place to shoo numpties in the right direction?

Yes, when did they stop being called 'fun runs' ?! That sounds so much more, erm, fun, than the various names they get now. I remember my dad doing fun runs when we were kids, and I thought he was just out having 'fun'. I think he was having fun but I later realised a hilly 10k was also a lot of hard work! 😀

This thread has also inspired me to get out there again, for fun, as well as exercise! Thanks OP.

MsMartini · 13/02/2026 09:42

I would go for a (fast) walk while your son does his volunteering. At least while the course is so slippy - there is just no need to be scared and worried.

And run at times that suit you and in a way that you enjoy.

I'm a slow 59-year old runner and always run on my own, enjoying an audiobook or podcast, and exploring different routes and trails. I'm happy Park Run is there for those who like it, but the timing and the crowds just don't suit me.

Original poster
slet · 21/02/2026 10:32

Just wanted to update this thread this morning. It was cancelled last week which I was delighted about because I was exhausted and a bit under the weather. Been back again this morning and did it in 43 mins and was 81st out of 88…..so a few more runners made a bit of a difference. I attribute the faster time to the fact that it was very slightly less muddy!

ds and I have agreed that when I have done 10 we will celebrate with coffee and cake at the nearby cafe, which will be in 6 weeks time and hopefully by then, The weather will be a little bit better!!

thanks again for all of the kind words and encouragement I got on here, it really did mean a lot to me.

OP posts:
Silverbirchleaf · 21/02/2026 11:07

Onwards and upwards! Just think, in a few more weeks you’ll be breaking sub-forty! And coffee and cakes will be well deserved.

Littletreefrog · 21/02/2026 11:28

43 minutes is great well done. I tail walked today and finished in 59 minutes. You will get faster (not that it would matter if you didn't) by going consistently and as it starts to warm up. My DS has dropped 15 minutes since he startedblast April but his times slowed over winter and he is just starting to get back close to his PB now the weather is improving.

Redcrayons · 21/02/2026 12:15

Another course PB, you’re doing brilliantly.

post PR coffee and cake is a great way to treat yourself. And by the end of summer you’ll have your 25 milestone T-shirt and then you’ll be a fully fledged park run cult member.

EnchantedDaytime · 21/02/2026 12:20

Well done! I went to a new one today, I was about 5 mins ahead of the tailwalker and it was all very friendly and enjoyable.

HappyRainbow123 · 21/02/2026 13:21

Woo Hoo! I’m really pleased for you.

CashewTiara · 21/02/2026 17:22

Well done OP, thats so inspiring.

Ansjovis · 21/02/2026 19:56

Really happy to read this update. Finishing in 43 minutes would have meant 50 participants finishing after you at my parkrun today so I do think your parkrun may be a little on the unusual side. Having rewards in mind is a great way to approach it, I do it myself even though I've been running for years.

RubieChewsDay · 22/02/2026 15:28

Well done @slet pushing yourself out of a comfort zone is hard but can be so worthwhile! Enjoy the cake and coffee when you get to 10 😀

MyThreeWords · 07/03/2026 12:22

I finally did my first-ever parkrun today, thanks to getting inspired by this thread (so THANK YOU @slet !)

I've done 'fun runs' and the like, decades ago, but nothing at all since, except running alone and on the treadmill.

It was lovely. Nice sunny day, lovely friendly atmosphere, and I think plenty of people slower than the time that you were so hard on yourself about, @slet.

I think you need to be a regular to get the most out of the event. I was trying to run seriously right from the start, but others understood that it was too congested until the path opened out after half a km or so, and they sort of 'unfolded' then and loped past me.

At about 4k I felt properly sick, which was a good sign that participating in an event had given me the stimulus to run a lot faster than my usual saunter through the woods.

A bit frustrating at the end, as I was a middle-finisher, arriving at a time when the system was under maximum pressure, so that it was at least 2-4 minutes until I was logged as finished. I know that doesn't strictly matterGrin as it is all for fun, but it is hard to let go of the greed for the fastest possible time.

Spidey66 · 07/03/2026 12:24

You’ve got my respect for doing a Parkrun….my knees (and my bulk!) won’t let me!

Original poster
slet · 07/03/2026 12:28

Ah well done @MyThreeWordsthats brilliant. Pleased you were inspired by this thread.

i have kept going and been slightly quicker each week. Today I went to a different one that had over 600 runners so much bigger than the usual one. It was also much flatter! I got a PB of 40 minutes so I was delighted.

my PT in my midweek runs had had me jeffing and trying to really push myself in the running parts which seems to be working when it comes to improving my overall pace.

it’s much nicer doing it in the spring when the sun is out!

OP posts:
MyThreeWords · 07/03/2026 12:35

That sounds fantastic, @slet. Congrats on the PB.

The lovely weather really helps, doesn't it. It was really cold here at 9 am. Frost on the ground. But the sky hung with that 'spring is here' feel and made my heart sing.

rookiemere · 07/03/2026 12:39

Well done everyone. It is a lovely if glacial day in Scotland today and I was particularly slow because there were some bits that were simultaneously icy and muddy. It has also been a roller coaster of a week culminating in DPs going into a care home next week, so just getting there this morning was my main achievement. Sometimes just putting one foot after another is just what I need.

Thewonderfuleveryday · 07/03/2026 13:28

my did you have to queue to cross the finish line or was there just a queue to pick up tokens and get scanned?

The time you cross the finish line is the time you get, although sometimes they get do congested and a bit of a tail back. It all matches up with the order of tokens, even if the finishing funnel is long / slow. Once you have your token it doesn't matter when you get scanned in.