Parkrunners, assemble!

[instaclowns]

I'm sure the website used to say something like 'you must make sure you're fit enough to walk or run 5k' but it doesn't say that now. You'd think not taking a break to stuff your face would be a given, but there we are...

It does but the trouble is, is that’s a very loose request. My 92 gran could say she is fit enough to do a 5k in 4 hours haha. There should be say 75-90mins cut off as I appreciate some are hilly and hard so may require longer to remain inclusive and fair if a cut off time was introduced

 

[Millennial Pink]

The time thing reminds me of the London Marathon row a few years ago, where they allowed very long cut-off times but then the back of the pack had a horrible time. LM did seem to improve in the following years. I think ultimately, organisers have to decide what the event is and stick to it. Is it a run or a walk? Having both seems to cause operational difficulties. I won't suggest a separate 'parkwalk' event. God knows where the volunteers would come from.

 

[GalofHal]

I've often been tailwalker. Kids stopping to pick flowers or have tantrums. Or people giving up so you are on your own and not a hope in hell of catching up the back of the pack.

 

[Lastqueenofscotland]

I find in the main it’s not that pushy and the turnouts are pretty low so they are easy to avoid

 

[runningbutnotinfluencing]

On Freyne - I recall something in a Facebook group implying there had been some unsavoury behaviour uncovered from him. Could be mistaken? Can’t find it on a quick search.

 

[forthelifeofriley]

Does this just mean they will no longer “celebrate” achievements by posting on social media about course records etc?

 

[WeTalkAboutBruno]

What a bunch of absolute fannies.

Another reason I can't get by with parkrun or runners. Insufferable twats.

 

[Matisse182]

Can I assume that like time keepers and bar code scanners with no tail Walker the event can’t go ahead?

Probably, yes. I've found its often quite popular though because then they can get a volunteer point and a running point in the same week. I've tail walked a few times but never again in winter. I'm fairly slow but sometimes its so slow I can't warm up enough. I once agreed a deal with the marshal around halfway that they would take over the tail walking if it got really bad so I could run off and they could at least get moving so we didn't freeze.

 

[GalofHal]

I'm marathon training at the minute, parkrun doesn't fit into my training schedule so I'm generally volunteering at it instead. My local had a full squad of helpers at the weekend so I decided to walk it. I walked with the tail runner for a bit and there was a group of women walking infront of us and I couldn't help overhear some of their conversation. 1 woman it was her first parkrun so the rest were telling her about it. They spoke about 2 regulars at our event and about how supportive and inspiring they are to them. The spoke about how they enjoy walking at parkrun and how inclusive and welcoming it is. At the half way mark I pushed on my pace and passed them out. But it was good to hear nice things being said about parkrun, especially when you are involved in it.

I love being tail walker. We get lots of tourists (South Africa, Australia, New Zealand) and it's so interesting chatting to them. I love encouraging them along.

 

[GossipMongoose]

Argh, we've had a few occasions where people drop out after lap 1 then the tail walker has to leg it up to the next set of finishers. We also had an odd situation where someone dropped out mid way through and we managed to lose a tail walker, so it took about 1 hr 45 to wrap the event up.

I'm sure the website used to say something like 'you must make sure you're fit enough to walk or run 5k' but it doesn't say that now. You'd think not taking a break to stuff your face would be a given, but there we are...

Was barcode scanning this morning, no one threw up in the finish funnel, which is a nice change

My local one is pretty big, over 400 every week and generally ranges from 18 min - 55min. The website still says,

• Please ensure that you are fit enough to walk, jog, run 5k (3.1 miles) with us

but you have to click through to the course description for it.

 

[Melian]

It shouldn’t take more than an hour for anyone to run 5k. Even when I first started and was much less fit than I am now I was doing it in about 45 minutes, and that was with stopping and starting.

I've walked a few and they took longer than one hour. But one was on sand and the other it was so muddy.

 

[Gym&Tonic]

600 people?! OMG, my local one is a mare with about 150 of us trudging through the woods

 

[RunRunRun]

Yes sorry I know that my point was if it’s not meant to be a competition then why do Parkrun also provide age grading etc.

A point I’ve heard many people make. I think they spout some bollocks about how they are catering for all.

I’ve said it before. They need to pick a lane and stick to it.

ETA - my local parkrun is really struggling for volunteers every week. This never used to be the case, the begging emails used to be pretty infrequent but now they are almost every week. I’ve not been since early 2020 for many reasons (including how I disagreed with their attitude/approach to things during lockdown) but it’s safe to assume many regular volunteers have been switched off.

 

[Cucumberthunder]

Had to do a bit of detective work to work it out - Battersea Park.

Is there a reason it was so highly anticipated/big? Just a fancy London location? (Country mouse here!)

 

[Baby Giraffe]

I had missed the point. I was replying to the post with a screenshot. Didn't realise someone else had given tmi about their run. Yes, not a good idea.

I posted the screenshot and deliberately picked one I’ve never been to and don’t know any of the runners on the shot so understand your initial confusion

 

[Millennial Pink]

Just stumbled upon UK inaugural parkruns.

it’s funny seeing grown men argue.

Once in a while someone posts one on the tourist group and I get the popcorn out...

 

[runrun321]

Having to get up for 8.30 is bad enough for me

Australia it’s an 8am start, some start as early as 7am
Needless to say since I did my first parkrun 11 years ago, I’ve still not made it 50

 

[RunRunRun]

But then why also have parkrun records and age grading?

Because it started life as Bushy Park Time Trials. Its origins are competitive. Lots of people like that which is why they don’t want to get rid of it, I’m sure participation would drop.

After thinking about it recently, I think they should only send finish times to the individual participants and not publish them, and not use/publish finish positions or age gradings. That way if you want a fun run you get a fun run, but if you want to test yourself then you have a record of your times.

 

[Melian]

I see parkrun have had to align all of the nordic special days to avoid the insane numbers that they got this year.

I can't say I'm that surprised

 

[Giggling Squid]

We got a new fastest male……