We headed to Cirencester parkrun. It was my 50th different parkrun location, also known as a half Cowell. It was also the first time I had done 40 parkruns in any one year. Plus it was, of course, the 20th anniversary of parkrun itself.
Royal Agricultural University, Stroud Road, Cirencester, Gloucestershire
The what3words location is: ///geese.tigers.quiz
Why Cirencester parkrun
We headed to Cirencester parkrun because the social comms on their Facebook page looked like it would be a fun place to visit! Not only that but it was my NENDY (nearest event not done yet) and we needed to be home early to shower and change ready to go back out again.
It was also event number 261 – this was one I needed to make my row of event numbers bigger. This is called a Floating Wilson Index. Mine is now 34. These means I have 34 event numbers in a row.
It also leaves me with just one more C needed for my Pirates Challenge – but that was just a happy accident!
Location and Facilities at Cirencester parkrun
Cirencester parkrun is set in a stunning Cotswolds location around the Royal Agricultural University grounds. Accessible on foot and by public transport. There is limited parking but only the Stroud Road entrance and the main carpark in the Royal Agricultural University. All other car parks on site are out of bounds.
There were volunteers guiding the parking and some went towards a big open car park and others directed you to diagonal spaces. My husband was directed to the latter, personally I wouldn’t have wanted to park there but I don’t like parking! There did seem to be plenty of space though!
There were some very clean and easy to find toilets and a dining room. With the delightful smell of bacon cooking before the parkrun which could be smelt whilst going in to the building for the toilets!
The Run Briefing
The briefing was very loud and clear. In fact so much so that the Run Director joked that he couldn’t actually hear anyone’s replies!
Cirencester parkrun has always looked to have a fun core team (going by their comical Facebook posts) – and the briefing did not disappoint! This was definitely the kind of inspirational and motivational talk to make anyone want to return!
Tourists
Those wishing to return could be any of the Tourists – who had travelled from Birmingham, Suffolk, Shropshire, London, Bulith Wells, Bristol, and of course other parts of Gloucestershire.
Celebrations
Parkrun celebrated their 20th Birthday and, thanks to Dave Carter’s generosity, those of us attending Cirencester Parkrun got to enjoy a well-earned chocolate after we finished! The real reason for this was due to it being Dave’s 250th parkrun. Well done Dave, an amazing achievement.
Of course we also were able to help ourselves to the parkrun anniversary paper. Being told that we should take a few to help spread the word!
Other things to Note
Although they do NOT jest about not taking the barcodes home! (please). There were even numbered hooks to hang them on.
Dogs were not allowed on the course.
The Course at Cirencester parkrun
The course may be three laps but it was very beautiful. This is even despite the warnings of mud due to the previous rain. It is also nice and flat.
It was clearly marked out and the start and finish are near each other (with bag drop).
Volunteers at Cirencester parkrun
Thanks to the volunteers – they were really welcoming, friendly and supportive. Do you know that some of the volunteers had arrived as early as 8am to set the course up! We were reminded that you can volunteer and take part! By helping either before or after!
Cardiff Half Marathon
It was the day before Cardiff Half Marathon – in which our Tail Walker Rachel Bramwell was taking part. Well done, she completed it in 2 hrs 5 minutes and 19 seconds
Our son was also taking part in the Cardiff Half, and did it in his goal of sub 90 minutes. He kindly ran with me at Cirencester parkrun. I think this is quite fitting because, until recently, parkrun is the only time he exercised outside of school! It has also given him the drive to improve.
My Experience Jeffing at Cirencester parkrun
Other than it being friendly (my husband even chatted to several people), I was able to Jeff the course and I wore my barefoot tail shoes okay. My only issue was not really being able to sprint finish properly. This was mostly my fault for when asking people kindly if I could get by I didn’t actually say which side I would be on.
Stats for Cirencester parkrun Event 261
There were 195 participants at Cirencester parkrun Event 261 – who were told that they could run, walk, or do a mixture. We finished in times ranging from 18:06 to 57:20. 110 of us finished sub 30.
We were led by Rob FORBES who had the second highest age grading today. Andrew HOWSON was the highest, with an age grade of 79.09%.
Participant Event Numbers
- Welcome to the 9 people new to parkrun.
- Well done to the ten people completed their all-important second parkrun.
- Craig MACPHERSON also completed his 25th parkrun!
- Gordon Wilson was on his 588th parkrun!
Other Nearby parkruns that I have done:
- Tetbury Goods Shed (8.7m)
- Stratford Park, Stroud (10.3m)
- Lydiard (11.9m)
- Stonehouse (13m)
- King George V Playing Field, Cheltenham (14.1m)
- Kingsway (14.3m)
- Cheltenham (14.3m)
- Gloucester City (14.8m)
- Gloucester North (15.5m)
Sarah has also been and written a review of Cirencester parkrun