Forest of Dean parkrun, the oldest in Gloucestershire (and the 36th parkrun in the UK). This week it celebrated that it turned 14 years old so we went along to celebrate. Thank you to all the volunteers who have supported this event it really showed what hard work they have put in.
Forest of Dean, Coverham Enclosure Five Acres, Berry Hill, Coleford, Glos, GL16 7QW
The Course at Forest of Dean parkrun
Obviously the course is trail shoes material – it’s completely in the Forest (near Coleford)! And it was raining! So it was slippery with a few ruts and tree roots. It was a relatively flat course, the elevation gain was only 88ft – so not the most tricky.
Described as a two lapper – but really it felt more like one as there were two different laps – which you followed with the help of the clearly marked arrows and help of the volunteers. We were told not to just follow the person in front – but honestly they all seemed to know where they were going! Advice was if you’ve come to the road you’ve got lost!
Information for First Timers
This course allows dogs. There are no toilets at the start. Teas, coffees and cake were provided for a donation as part of their celebrations. Although they told us not to worry if we had no cash because they didn’t want to have to take all that cake home!
We parked at Berry Hill RFC as we arrived early and they expected a lot of people. There were two volunteers waiting there. Turns out that we could have easily parked at Five Acres School across the road as there was lots of space and not that many participants (most likely due to the rain and the now large number of alternative parkruns).
My Experience at Forest of Dean parkrun
Yet again another friendly course. Obviously it was beautiful from a nature perspective too. I only slipped once and managed to stop myself from falling! Due to the trees not everyone’s results will record accurately on their watches – luckily mine was fine. Also I was worried that my Spotify wouldn’t work – but again I had no issues with signal.
Barefoot Running
It was nice that someone commented on the fact that I was wearing my barefoot shoes – although this is really because they are my only trails. What I would say is that the course wasn’t as trail as I was expecting. Many parts felt more like path underfoot and were quite firm. In saying that my calves did not hurt like they would if I just ran on tarmac.
Jeffing at Forest of Dean parkrun
The boys jeffed with me today as I was quite anxious about the course and my inability to follow directions. This meant that there were three of us trying to jeff on what is quite a narrow course in parts.
We did manage a 60:30 but weren’t always able to pass others on the course when we would ideally have liked. I do hope that we weren’t annoying and we did try and move over into single file every time we walked. There were definitely small sections where it wasn’t a good idea to start walking if you had other participants immediately behind you.
Facts and Stats
I have done a few report writing previously but never has it been so easy with some facts and figures already provided for me from Run Director Mike Carter!
The First Forest of Dean parkrun
Back on 24th April 2010 there were 21 runners at the Forest of Dean parkrun and just 3 volunteers. They aren’t sure how they didn’t get lost! Up until today there had been 12,912 unique runners who had completed the course 63,890 times.
Volunteering at the 3K mark was Jaqui Wynds (as marshal) and Chris Hawkins (photographer) who were both at that very first Forest of Dean parkrun!
Mark Mathews
Also making his debut at the third even was their very own Mark Mathews. He finished in a time of 22:47 with an age grading of 59.03% that first time, and the last time before today (event 667) he finished in 23:54, an age grading of 62.69%.
Today Mark celebrated his 600th parkrun. Of those 564 have been run at the Forest of Dean parkrun. Whilst also sporting an incredible 420 volunteer credits – 37 of which have been for Run Director! Plus he has a list of freedom and not parkruns!
Before event 669 he course checked Forest of Dean parkrun by completing it 5 times – making the actual event his 6th parkrun that day!
Forest of Dean Event Number 669 Facts and Stats
Today there were 64 participants at Forest of Dean parkrun. They finished in times varying between 21:18 and 59:33. 28 of those finished in Sub 30. With 29:03 being the overall average time for the course for all events.
The highest age grade today was Melanie EATON 74.27% in the VW50-54 category.
Other Milestones
Fay Pearce and Stuart Evans both celebrated their 50th parkruns today
New to parkrun and Tourists
Welcome to Julie Nixon running her very first parkrun ever here today.
Today’s tourists included Becky from Southsea, James from Fareham, Tom from Manchester, Ash and Aaron from London, plus myself, husband and two boys from elsewhere in Gloucestershire.
The Volunteers
Currently the Event Director is Fiona Dean who took over the role a year ago and has continued a tradition of an inclusive and enjoyable run, supported by a great volunteering team.
Everything was really clear from the off. From what was expected of us volunteers, to where to park/arrive, volunteers to support (including in the overflow carpark) clear signs all around, a great first timers and main briefing, helpful marshals, and well just about everything – and not forgetting the cake!! There’s also a really cool parkrun symbol on the bridge on the approach!
Special thanks to all the volunteers, particularly given the rain!
Steve BEDFORD, Julian M BOON, Jack BROOKS, Mike CARTER, Peter COVINGTON JONES, Francesca DE MONTEREY, Fiona DEAN, Melanie EATON, Stuart EVANS, Louise GREENING, Meurig GREENING, Kathy GRIFFIN, Chris HAWKINS, Joel HEMMINGS, Stephanie HEMMINGS, Joy JACKSON, Philip JAMES, David JENKINS, Penny LAVER, Paula MASSEY, Mark MATHEWS, Flora NORRIS, Natalie NORRIS, Lee OSBORNE, Don PARSONS, Lewis PARSONS, Michelle PEACEY, Paul STEPHENS, Ali TURNER, Mark WILLIAMSON, Jacqui WYNDS
Other Nearby parkruns I have written about:
Ross-on-Wye (7.2m), Berkeley Green (9.3m), Newent (11.6m), Severn Bridge (13.4m), Stonehouse (14.1m)
Also see Sarah’s reivew of Forest of Dean parkrun