Bushy parkrun is the home of parkrun. The very first one in the world which actually started out as a timed trial. We decided that we would make the pilgrimage journey for the 999th event.
There were several options of when to go including the 1,000 next week and the 20th Anniversary event in October. We opted for 999 for the Nelson Challenge, because we have a race next week and quite frankly I like dressing up – even just a little bit so wore a Nurse headband to represent the emergency services (999!).
Bushy Park, Teddington
Location
We opted to stay at The Park Hotel and walk to parkrun. As this week and next were special numbers they were expecting a lot of people. Therefore, I didn’t want parking to be a problem. The Travelodge is a popular choice but I had heard that the parking can be quite difficult.
Our location meant we could go for a lovely walk the night before too – making it more of a trip rather than just a parkrun.
As it happens it was a really lovely hotel and the boys’ bunk beds were ace. There were lots of charging ports – even on the top bunk! It also meant we had time to get back, shower, pack and get to a McDonald’s before the end of breakfast.
Parking
Bushy parkrun Facebook page asked people not to drive as they expected big numbers. It did appear that if you did park in the carpark maybe things may have been clearer. As it was there were no real signs and people going in all directions. In hindsight they were probably heading for the deer or the finish for the bag drop. This was a sheet on the ground, but many people left them in other places. It was raining so we put our bag under a tree by some bikes.
Busy parkrun Signs
There are several Bushy parkrun signs and I got to get my photo after only being in a short queue. At the time there were two signs there but we noticed there was at least one at the end too. I was very impressed that our son got this great photo on one attempt!
Our Experience of Bushy parkrun
Speedier Runner
Our son managed to get an incredible 69th place. Which was a cool 1,111 places ahead of myself! My advice was not to look at his watch and just go. Unfortunately someone did mention the time at 2.5km and he did end up looking just before the end.
He finished in an incredible 19:33 – obviously a new parkrun PB and age grading! This now places him in the Regional Class of Runner based on his age grading!
Apparently there was talk of going off doing your fastest 1km. There was this one guy who led it for a bit and then did a celebration before moving to the side and waiting for his mates – which everyone thought was funny. Also he told me that they didn’t count down – they just said ready, steady, go – guess it avoids any confusion on whether you run on one or not!
My Experience at Bushy parkrun
Tourists
It was definitely a great place for tourists. With plenty of people dressed up or wearing recognisable tourism clothing. As well as emergency personal there was a herd of dinosaurs!
Personally I had opted not to wear my Moove it Flanci skort as it would not have gone well with my nurse look. As it happened there were lots of people wearing those and so I did get complimented on my Mr Men Tikiboo skort!
Everyone was so super friendly. My husband even spoke to several people – including a family from Australia. The man in front of us (waiting to take pictures of the sign) apologised for joining in our conversation. With me replying that if you do not like people then this probably isn’t the course for you!
I met Koala Monkey-Pig and his dad – who kindly allowed me to grab a selfie. Whilst I was talking to them it transpired that the lady they were running with actually had the same home parkrun as me!!
Volunteers
Also the token scanner, who I had spoken to at the start, was obviously also very nice to our fast finisher – as my son told me to go to him to get scanned!
Jeffing at Bushy parkrun
Honestly I did not think that I would be able to do my Jeffing at Bushy parkrun. There were just so many people. The start is really wide and then narrows on to a path. Actually it starts fairly quickly with people kind of jogging along. It would be interesting to see how different pacer week feels!
When I thanked the Volunteers there was a chorus of thank yous behind me.
After the first 60 seconds my watch alerted me to a walk and I knew I could glide down without being too much of a hindrance. Actually I was able to still keep up with the people in front on a walk. People were also kind of stopping all over the place too. But there is lots of room for people to keep moving out of each other’s way.
Sarah had said about the sound of everyone running when she went so I started without my music playing. When I decided to actually turn them off they got caught in my hair. Luckily I got that sorted before the next run section.
It wasn’t long afterwards that I started to feel maybe a bit anxious that people were judging me and popped my music on. In fact I was unaware that Girls that Jeff member Sue was following me for a while and nearly settled into my pace.
Plus, I did manage to do some sort of sprint finish.
The Course at Bushy parkrun
What can I tell you about the course? Well it is a one lap, flat and fast and a figure of eight – so you can see faster/slower runners. I did not. Not sure if it was where I was in the run or just concentrating on following people without getting in their way! Some was on grass (like the start) and most was on path – but with grass to the side for a lot of it.
The start is really wide and then you head to a path. There are a few obstacles in the way but it is all really well marshalled.
The one time I did get in people’s way (I apologised and they said it was okay) is when I was surprised to see John Altman (Nasty Nick, Eastenders) marshalling. Apparently it’s his spot and he’s there “every” week. This is probably one of the few times we were all chatting to each other too!
The finish isn’t near the start – but it isn’t very far away. We opted to put our bag at the finish because there was a jumper in there in case our speedy finisher got cold waiting in the rain.
First Timers Briefing
Stuart’s first timers briefing was special as it was Bushy. Several jokes were made relating to the fact it was the 999th event. This included about trusting that the finish funnels work – that they’d tried it a few times! There were lots of tourists from Australia but one family out-trumped them having come from New Zealand!
Finish Funnels
They had anticipated more people so had 5 finish funnels ready. Apparently our speedy son said he just ran. The second son got given a letter J – that people who were meant to stay behind the person running with the letter did try to go passed and marshals were trying to sort it out!
We were told to remember who was by us and just bunch up as much as possible. That you don’t just stay in single file but really move up and around the funnels. A lady behind me said that those finishing between 25-35 minutes are the ones who they need several funnels for. At the time they were closing down one next to us.
Bushy parkrun Event 999 Stats
There were 1787 participants. 1,000 male, 744 female and 40 unscanned. Times ranged between 16:14 and 1:10:31. 83 people did this in sub20! 1026 did a sub 30!
There were 169 course PBs. This does not include people who have set a new parkrun PB but never run at Bushy before, such as our son. There were 41 people running their first ever parkrun. Plus a further 435 tourists visiting Bushy parkrun for the first time.
Other London parkruns we have done are Victoria Dock parkrun and Thames Path, Woolwich parkrun
What a fantastic experience! It really is a very special parkrun and I’m glad you all enjoyed it.
Very well done to your son for his PB!