Thoulstone parkrun is a new addition in Wiltshire and we went along for its fourth event. As some parkruns wish for people to stay away at the early events I e-mailed them ahead to say that we would be coming along but with the addition of JB9 – a Boomerang from 10 Boomerangs, a parkrun Adventure, from South Beach parkrun. This would help people know of this new parkrun even more!
Thoulstone Park, Chapmanslade, Westbury, BA13 4AQ
About Thoulstone Park
Thoulstone Park is a regenerated community project on an abandoned golf course. For 10 years it had derlict buildings and waste dumped on it. Then in 2012 new owners acquired it. With a farm shop, restaurant, 6 houses and space for partners and community initiatives. It seems quite the match with the parkrun community.
With outdoor activities, regular events, vibrant woodland, extensive trails and ponds it is definitely a place for nature explorers to visit!
Facilities at Thoulstone parkrun
Important things to know about Thoulstone parkrun are that if you need the toilet before parkrun then visit Warminster Services which are less than 2 miles down the road at BA12 7RU. Onsite is the Pavilion Restaurant, with toilets, which opens at 9am.
There is plenty of free parking (on tarmac) – with overflow parking if required. It is a no dogs course and may not be suitable for pushchairs or wheelchair users.
There is no public transport to Thoulstone Park. The nearest train stations are located at Westbury and Warminster.
The Thoulstone parkrun Course
Starting up quite a steep hill you might imagine that it would be slow to start – but the front runners really pulled us all up! It was a simple course which is basically two laps around the field once you have got the initial uphill out of the way. It isn’t just a boring, flat, field though – with undulations, mole hills, boggy bits and sometimes even sheep!
Trail shoes are a good idea – but road shoes are fine, just don’t expect to keep them clean after rain.
It is very clear where you need to go, with plenty of hi-vis heroes helping guide the way and giving encouragement to those who require it. As well as it being really a friendly and warm experience with the other participants there.
The finish funnel is clear to see when you go past on your first lap.
When I finished I was exhausted and sat on the floor – thanks to the RD Judy for her patience and kindness in explaining to me that I had indeed ended up sitting on the course at the end (and needed to move)!!!
Volunteers at Thoulstone parkrun
A big thank you to the 23 volunteers who made Thoulstone run so smoothly! If I didn’t know then I would have not have believed that Thoulstone parkrun was only on its 4th event!
What a well-run parkrun that was! Thank you very much to Judy the RD. Loved how she managed to get everyone to quieten down for the briefing, and even had 3 minutes to spare for a punctual 9am start.
From the moment I e-mailed to say we were coming we were made to feel very welcome. The reception we received was fantastic and Thoulstone parkrun really reflects the true community that is parkrun.
If anyone can volunteer for future weeks, please do email thoulstone@parkrun.com and you will be added on the roster.
Boomerang JB9
Judy was fantastic, greeting me, and also gave a great explanation about the Boomerang during the run briefing. She also politely requested that people move so that a good photo with the Thoulstone parkrun sign could be taken.
Thank you to Becky Sinkinson for receiving JB9 at the last minute for more adventures. Next JB9 is off to Zielong jar parkrun, in Poland.
Bustard Challenge
Hayley, who was completing the Bustard Challenge (all ten of the parkruns in Wiltshire!), had kindly opted not to take JB9 as for her next parkrun she was heading to Tewkesbury – an area where it has already visited.
The Bustard is a flightless bird that lives on the Salisbury Plain. The ten parkruns in Wiltshire for the Bustard Challenge are:
- Chippenham
- Lydiard
- Marlborough Common
- Melksham
- Quakers Walk
- Salisbury
- Seven Fields
- Southwick Country
- Thoulstone
- Tidworth
Self-Seeding and being Overtaken by a Helicopter
Not all participants self-seeded at the start but there’s plenty of space to overtake safely out on the field.
This was apparent when I was overtaken by a helicopter!! This was Gary testing out his new costume for the Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity. This is for trying to break the Guinness World Record at Bristol Half Marathon. Currently the fastest male to complete a half marathon dressed as a three-dimensional aircraft is 2 hours, 8 minutes and 36 seconds. Gary is setting out to break this in support of Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance! Sponsor GaryCopter here!
In my defence the course is harder than it looks and that was on a warm March day! It isn’t a well shaded course and I prefer cold. Besides Gary finished in 26:34 which was my goal time!
About Us
We are a bit of a mixed family of runners and it was really great for all of us. Our son is trying to regain his speed after injury and was impressed with just how quick the front runners were: He was exactly 3 minutes after the front runner.
Whilst our younger son reported that many people checked that he was okay out on the course. It was a hot day and he had set out in joggers and a hoodie so ended up walking.
We finished in 13th, 56th, 70th and 104th positions.
Thoulstone parkrun Event 4 Stats
- 152 participants completed the course – 92 male, 54 female and 5 unscanned.
- In times ranging from 18:16-1:03:14.
- The Fastest Female finished in an impressive 19:38 and seventh overall.
- With 21 people achieving PBs.
- There were no official milestones, but there were TEN brand new parkrunners! Welcome to the family.
Average finish time 32:10 by event 4 was.
80 people finished in a time of 30 minutes or less.
Over 60s
30 (just under 20% of total) of participants were over 60. 9 (30%) of them in a time of sub 30. That is just over 11% of sub 30 participants (were over 60).
Males
24 males over 60 – 7 sub 30 (males over 60).
- 5 VM60-64 – 2 sub 30
- 12 VM65-69 – 4 sub 30
- 3 VM70-74 – 1 sub 30
- 4 VM75-79 – 2 sub 30
Females
6 females over 60, both sub 30 in the 65-69 category.
- 3 VW60-64
- 2 VW65-69 – 2 sub 30
- 1 VW70-74
Other Nearby parkrun courses I have done include:
- Quakers Walk (13.3m)
- Somerdale Pavillion (17.8m)
That sounds like a lovely parkrun, with quite a lot of finishers for such a new event.
It must be pretty close to The Old Showfield, which we do when we go to Center Parcs Longleat (which is near Warminster). Although The Old Showfield is actually in Somerset rather than Wiltshire!