Thinking of doing ParkRun?

[Flowers99]

i know there are so many people debating to go to ParkRun due to all the threads on here. I’ve read every single once since i first registered for ParkRun in 2019…..and have only actually gone to my first one in 2026 😂

but after 7 years, I finally mustered up the courage and went back again for second one today. I am incredibly unfit and would guesstimate I walked 50% (at least) but it’s such a good feeling to finish! The volunteers around the course are really encouraging and it’s just generally a lovely vibe.

there’s the sprinters who over lap, the 60 year olds who put the generation below them to shame with their outstanding fitness, there’s people running with dogs, mums and dads with toddlers in tow and some running with prams, walkers, jog / walkers and anything else you can imagine.

the volunteer tail walker is always ‘last’, but honestly I finished 10th from last in nearly 700 people and I wasn’t made to feel any less of a ParkRunner than anyone who finished before me.

so I’m just here to say, if you’re thinking about it give it a go!

If you want to post a vague location we might be able to give some pointers about which ones to try.

often a parkrun’s facebook page will give an indication of vibe.

if you’re in the UK I’m really surprised you were the only walker. There has been such a massive push on designated park walkers.

I’ll be honest though and have had some shitty experiences and thought that if I’d had that experience first time then I wouldn’t have returned. Looking at you Rotherham.

9.30 in Scotland.

Thanks - I haven't done one north of the border.

Thanks! Am in east anglia so any pointers would be great please 😊

Ok. I have never ventured that far East!

Have you downloaded the parkrun app? There is a map with all of the events. Click on each on and you get all the info. I have just attached a screenshot of Blickling. You can scroll down to see average attendance.

also last week’s results. So by last week’s standards it looks like there are 22 people who may have been walking as they were over 45 mins.

its 2 laps so hopefully no barging (spread out over the 5k) as average attendance is 248. There are also reviews. Really useful to sort by ‘most recent’ as people will comment on ice/mud etc but unlikely relevant in summer iykwim.

Oh and BTW on Saturday I went to one on the coast but it was too warm for my dog to run safely so I walked it. There were still 7 people behind me (including park walkers & tailwalkers) and there was no feel that I was holding people up or that the finish funnel was being cleared away!

I went to one! Braved it on my own and people were so friendly. It was a small one compared to others so perhaps look for a smaller park run rather than one that accommodates hundreds of runners. The one I went to only 105 people running whereas some of the other local ish ones had 300-400!

Yayyy!

I always try to go to a smaller one if I can.

There are a few London ones where they are just little pockets of a city park but have the friendliest vibe.

particular mentions go to Southall & South Oxhey. Just joyful.

Sounds lovely like the one I went to. I think I will try and go most Saturdays as much as I can. May venture out and try some others when I’m more confident.

Some really good ideas here - thankyou!