We headed to Chipping Norton School parkrun. This was because it was our nearest available NENDY (nearest event not done yet). However, it also filled a gap in my Floating Wilson. A Wilson is the event number in order from 1. Floating Wilson is the most amount of event numbers in a row but not from 1.
Chipping Norton School, Burford Road, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, OX7 5DY
Facilities Chipping Norton School parkrun
Toilets are located within Chipping Norton Leisure Centre. To find them in the leisure centre go right, past the indoor play, to the changing rooms. In the ladies were two cubicles and two showers.
Limited parking spaces in the school and leisure centre. Plenty of free parking in the town.
We parked in the carpark at the leisure centre and this was right next to the parkrun field. We tend to arrive around 8:30am and there was plenty of parking. In hindsight it did mean that there was less parking for leisure centre customers when we had finished and so if we returned we would park in town.
Chipping Norton School parkrun Course Description
Two laps on a mixture of grass, trail and a broad track. The course starts around the perimeter of Chipping Norton School playing fields followed by a short transfer section through a trail and onto Glyme Lane to the William Fowler Memorial Wood. A loop through the wood then back along Glyme Lane to return onto the playing fields to start the second lap. The start and finish is at the rear of Glyme Hall.
Unfortunately dogs are not allowed at this event. The only exception to this rule is when accompanied by an assistance dog.
Elevation
Note – although Louisa Keyworth did warn us of a slight incline in her first timers briefing she was NOT referring to the slight incline on the field. Less fit runners like myself would call what she was talking about as a 1/2km hill! Remember you do this twice – it’s in the woods bit so at least the second time up you know you’ve nearly finished.
Nice flat (ish) surface to sprint finish. Although the first time around (on the first time around the field) it did feel like it has a bit of elevation.
My Experience at Chipping Norton School parkrun
First I would like to say what a great job Louisa did of the first timers briefing. Plus well done to the gentleman for saying that he was on his first parkrun. However, there were actually 7 first timers!
A well marshalled and marked out course. Quite simple to follow but initially sounded a bit more complicated than it is. The start heads back towards the carpark (which was initially what we were confused about).
About My Run
Even though it was a really hot day the wind made it feel quite nippy before we got going.
There was a fast pull at the start and I set off at around a 4km pace! Put into perspective I would love to aim to get down to 5!!! However, of course this was quite short lived but that coupled with the “incline” this was not to be a PB day. Besides I hate the heat.
First lap I managed to run, including the incline. In contrast I walked several times on the second lap. Struggled especially after the second time up the hill. A lady (aged 65-69) wearing a 500 parkrun top overtook me. But I am glad to say that she actually got the highest age grading (78.84%).
Finishing
Despite being done, thanks to the incline, I did manage a sprint finish.
Our speedy son finished in 4th position. Also I was first in my age category.
Also at the end I was chatting to a lad who had just run his 3rd parkrun. Getting a PB and pleased that he was first in his age category (JM11-14). In fact he finished just behind our youngest.
Chipping Norton School parkrun Stats Event 192
- Thank you to the 21 volunteers today.
- Benefiting were 161 participants – 83 male, 69 female and 9 unknown
- 17:33-53:01
- 85 sub 30
- 50 tourists
- 23 PBs
Over 60s at Chipping Norton School parkrun Event 192
There were 24 participants over 60 at Chipping Norton School parkrun event 192. That is just under 15% of all those recorded.
11 of which finished in sub 30. Which is just under 13% of all sub 30 finishers.
Males
12 males over 60. 8 of whom finished in sub 30.
- 5 VM60-64 – all finishing sub 30
- Again 5 VM65-69 – 3 Sub 30
- 1 VM70-74 finishing in 30:07
- Also 1 VM75-79
Females
12 females over 60. 3 of whom finished in sub 30.
- 7 VW60-64 – 2 sub 30
- 3 VW65-69 – 1 sub 30 (the lady who overtook me)
- 2 VW70-74
Other Nearby parkrun locations we have done: Oxford parkrun (15.6m); University Parks parkrun (17.4m); and Stratford-Upon-Avon parkrun (18.4m).
Parkrun was introduced to me by Sarah at Mum of Three World – visit her blog for more parkrun related content.