Minehead parkrun was my only choice of location when I went on an adult weekend to Butlins. Luckily it is also just a short walk away and thank you so much to the 19 volunteers – as it was almost cancelled as still looking for volunteers the night before.
The Beach Hotel, The Avenue, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 5AP (I mean actually it’s across the road but the address makes it easier to find!)
Other Participants from Butlins
There was actually quite a crowd of us from Butlins Big Weekender. When they asked if there were any tourists a lady called Karen said you could tell from our “blue bands” (that we were tourists).
There was a little bit of talk on the Facebook groups about going to parkrun, but I only expected a couple of people. Sarah was one person that I knew was going, and I just so happen to bump into and talk to on the way down to the parkrun. Then I met a nice lady from Wales who was on her first tourist location!
Location of Minehead parkrun
Minehead parkrun is right next to the beach. From Butlins you literally turn left out of the camp, cross the road and head straight down until you see everyone! The Beach Hotel being back on the other side of the road.
Google maps says it is an 18 minute walk from Butlins resort to the Beach Hotel but I am pretty sure it took me around 11. Leave extra time and you get more chance to chat!
Steam Train
It is also right opposite the steam train station! England’s longest heritage line, running 20 miles between Minehead and the village of Bishops Lydeard near Taunton. The trip takes you through some of the area’s most beautiful countryside with stops at stations including Blue Anchor, Williton and Crowcombe at the foot of the Quantock Hills.
Facilities
Apparently there’s a very large car park by the Beach Hotel. This is also where you can use the toilets. It is also the place where you can get coffee and breakfast. Personally I headed back to Butlins as it was included in my package and I wanted to get back to my friends.
The Course at Minehead parkrun
Minehead parkrun is run entirely on tarmac – so need to worry about your footwear getting dirty! However, some parts the sea does jump over the wall – so you could end up getting wet!
The course is two and a half laps – out and back. It starts at the clock tower and runs in the direction away from Butlins. A flat course but with parts that are quite narrow.
Boasting panoramic views of the foothills of Exmoor, the western coast and the Bristol Channel looking towards Wales. In fact if you look up NENDYs I think Barry Island parkrun actually comes up and is where the parkrun page itself says the next nearest one is).
You go around the Turning Point West three times (this is at the lamp post just beyond the Hands Statue) and 2 times around Turning Point East (just beyond the Pirate Ship in the children’s play area).
Ending at the shelter by the Jubilee Gardens Café and opposite the Beach Hotel.
My Experience as a Jeffer at Minehead parkrun
There was a great atmosphere at Minehead parkrun. The hi-vis team were excellent. We were warned about all the hazards, including a camper van step being out.
It may be possible to Jeff all of this course, however, I think unless you were right near the back you may get in people’s way and annoy them. Therefore I did a mix of straight running and Jeffing when it was more open or less crowded.
It was the end of September when I went and personally I found it still quite warm – so was willing the waves to crash over the wall and cool me down! Someone told me that they were going straight for a swim afterwards and that there was quite a few of them doing so. Indeed I did get into the sea in my running kit! There’s a parkrun swimmers Facebook group for this too!
My watch recorded just over 5k and my time wasn’t much over the 30 minutes. It was actually spot on with the time on the Minehead parkrun results. My motivation couldn’t push me to get a sub30 – despite the fact that there was a pregnant lady finishing ahead of me! Although a very nice guy going the other way did congratulate me on my sprint finish.
Minehead parkrun Stats Event 341
- Minehead parkrun event 341 had 129 participants. There were 57 male, 64 female and 8 unscanned.
- 4 people did their very first parkrun. There were 37 recorded tourists and 9 people returning to Minehead parkrun got PBs.
- First finisher Keith Shapland looked fast before he even started. In fact I said to him that he was going to be first finisher! Maybe he didn’t look as hangover and sleep deprived as some of the rest of us! He also took the highest age grade at 80.28%!
- Average finish time for the event is 30:08. 70 people finished in sub 30 for event 341.
Milestones
- Chaleigh O’Brien was doing her 50th.
- Thomas Spaldingdid his 150th parkrun.
Over 60s at Minehead parkrun Event 341
- The over 60s really fascinate and inspire me. 25 participants were over 60 (up to the 80-84 category) – that is over 19% of attendees.
- Minehead parkrun event 341 saw the highest female age grade in the 60-64 age category (75.68%).
- The fastest over 60 was a PB at 23:10 seconds (age grade 71.73%).
- My own age grading was only 52.86% and the man running in the age 80-84 category wasn’t really that much behind with 41.73%!
- One man in the 70-74 was one of those doing their first ever parkrun. Only 3 of those over 60 were tourists.