We headed to Stratford-Upon-Avon parkrun on New Year’s Day for the first one in 2025. To say it was a bit wet is an understatement. Big thanks to all the volunteers! This is not to be confused with Stratford Park parkrun in Stroud!
Not Missing the First parkrun of the Year
As it fell on a Wednesday this meant that it was an extra day. It also means it is a fresh start at aiming for the Platinum Obsessive Challenge – which is attending 55 events. If we missed this one it would mean that we would have to head abroad twice!
There was yet another storm however, so staying in bed sounded like a very excusable option. We do not drink alcohol any more but haven’t been getting a lot of sleep. But my husband jumped out of bed and got ready – so that was it – we were going. Luckily for the children I had decided that they did not need to go. The older one is STILL recovering with his leg, and I didn’t feel it fair on the youngest.
As it turns out the weather was absolutely frightful! Many parkruns had been cancelling and I, like many others, kept checking the social media pages to check that Stratford-Upon-Avon parkrun was still going ahead! They had posted the night before that it would – but things can always change.
Parking at Stratford-Upon-Avon parkrun
Initially we didn’t head to the right carpark for Stratford-Upon-Avon parkrun, and then when we did find the right one we had parked quite a way from the start. As recommended we paid for 2 hours parking and thus was £2.60. You can pay by card or Ringo, no cash. You don’t actually physically need your card with you (as I thought it might do). Note the Stratford-Upon-Avon parkrun page says it is £1.20 an hour. It is the Recreation Ground car park you are after.
My Experience at Stratford-Upon-Avon parkrun
As I got out of the car I was absolutely drenched. That, coupled with a very strong wind, made me very cold! Now for some perspective on this I got a bath for my garden for Christmas, I am used to cold!
My husband commented how we were wet now! He had a point that there was really no point thinking about going home now. Again, I cannot say this enough but fair play to the volunteers though – we were very grateful to them.
The toilets we were parked by were closed – but there were some near the start. As I was using the hand dryer I even said to other parkrun participants that I didn’t know why I was bothering!
Briefings
Everyone was really friendly and it was clear where the “First timers” were to go. Turns out though that they had a dedicated person for those completely new to parkrun – how fantastic is that.
We had a different person for us “tourists.”
Milestones
All briefings were done with good humour. The Run Director (Simon) was not cutting things short for the weather – and made sure he read out all the milestones for people he was expecting. The ones doing 25/50 did not turn up. Those doing 500 did however, and got a bib to run in.
Isabelle Watts who joined the 25 Club today. Meanwhile, Richard Gubby, reached the impressive 100th milestone.
Unofficial milestones Jake Oxley 150, Wayne Vickers 200 and Richard Dobedoe 300.
There were also announcements for the volunteer milestones, (Emma Baker and Matt Cooke (50) and Brad Goodfellow (100), and we gave them a big cheer.
Running Stratford-Upon-Avon parkrun
Despite the weather Stratford-Upon-Avon parkrun did not start on time (because they were making sure all the milestones were mentioned). This was good as our friend was running late and it gave her time to get there. The briefing was near shelter and the start not far away. It was good that we had a chance to sort ourselves out and get into position rather than been forced to start as soon as the briefing was over.
Again I tried to straight run and not Jeff at Stratford-Upon-Avon parkrun. As usual it was quite slow and congested at the start but there was plenty of room to go round one another if you didn’t wish to stick to the path. At first I kept up with my husband, and we both discovered how much of a good idea the path was.
Ironically, despite how wet everyone was, people seemed to be reluctant to run through the big puddle – we were already soaked to the bone – honestly you could not get any wetter!! Personally I thought it was great fun splashing through it – like the Barclays advert!
Stratford-Upon-Avon parkrun Course
The course is 3 laps which are really easy to follow. Most of it is on path but there are a couple of times when you have to go across the grass. This obviously became more difficult the more times people had churned it up. The finish is also on grass.
Hybrid shoes would be ideal here but if you haven’t got them then old road shoes are probably best, due to the fact that most of it is on path.
With each lap I stripped off some clothing. The first time a volunteer offered to take my jacket. I thanked them and told her that I was going to put it with our bag (with the waters in, which funny enough I didn’t need as much as usual!). When I added my vest top to the pile I realised that I wouldn’t be able to put it back on again afterwards!
Along the course there was the beauty of a black swan (although some people stopped to take photos and this was a bit of a problem for some as they were all in the way apparently). Also two heron – which do have names but I forgot!
Running until I walked
Running is a lot about the mental challenge and I have been Jeffing (a run/walk technique) for a long time. Therefore, I do find it hard not to walk. At 3.85km someone told me that we were nearly there. Obviously this is not anywhere near and I felt that he could see that I was struggling. This resulted in me having a little walk when I got to 4km. I’m not exactly sure for how long.
I told myself I had done well to come out and that it was never on for a PB anyway. Of course it was the fastest parkrun of the year and gives me something to improve on. Ironic, considering that for most of last year I would have loved that time!
At the end there was a young lad still heading to the finish across the grass. It was unclear who crossed first. The Run Director made a noise about it and I asked (I don’t want to mess up the funnel order). He told me to keep moving and so I took the first token. The lad didn’t record his time and I ended up one second too fast for my last Stopwatch Bingo! (Which I am not going to bother the Team about and was just letting happen naturally).
After parkrun
Again I wasn’t that far behind my husband (although a lot more than recently). So we then joined our other friend for her last lap. There is a nearby McDonald’s but we were far too wet and cold, plus we are going to try better now it’s the New Year!
Stats for Stratford-Upon-Avon parkrun New Year’s Day 2025
There were 293 crazy parkrun and parkwalkers. Finishing in times ranging from 17:51 to 56:19. These included 3 people with their very first time to parkrun – incredible given the conditions!! Plus 57 tourists who were new to Stratford-Upon-Avon parkrun.
14 people got PBs – no doubt trying to get out of the rain as quickly as possible!!
Age Grading
First across the line was actually the person with the highest age grading, in the JM15-17 age category, with a time of 17:51. Although their PB on the course is actually 16:31 – which goes to show how bad the weather was!
Fastest female was in the 45-49 age category with a time of 21:18. Her age grading was 74.57%. However, it was Clare Goodwin with the highest age grading of 75.15% (age VW55-59).
Sub 30s
I do like looking at sub30 stats because for a lot of us it is the time we would like to get (in my opinion). New Year’s Day at Stratford-Upon-Avon parkrun saw 170 sub 30 participants.
Over 60s
Also I have an interest in runners over 60. They are incredible but also a reason why age grading I feel is really important.
There were 44 over 60s at Stratford-Upon-Avon parkrun New Year’s Day. This makes up 15% of particpants.
Of the over 60s there were 27 who completed in sub 30. That is almost 16% of the sub 30 runners.
- VM60-64 = 9, 5 sub 30
- VM 65-69 = 13, 3 SUB 30
- VM70-74 = 1
- VM 75-79 = 1
- VM 80-84 – 1
- 25 males over 60, 8 of whom were sub 30.
- VW60-64 – 14, 1 sub 30
- VW65-69, 1 sub 30
- VW70-74 – 3
- VW75-79 – 1
- 19 females over 60, 2 of whom achieved sub 30.
Nearby parkrun Locations we have been to include:
- Arrow Valley (11.5m)
- Evesham (12.7m)
- Wolford Wood (13.3m)
- Brueton (15.6m)
Well done! The weather really was horrendous that day. We did Lydney and the course was flooded and incredibly muddy. I think any other parkrun would have cancelled with the course in that state.
Good luck with getting your 55 parkruns for the year. I’ve already missed one, so I will settle for anything over 50!