We headed to Sandwell Valley parkrun for their 312th event. Little did I realise what a great place to visit it is! Having completed this means that I’m left with needing only one more “S” for the snakes challenge. Ideally Southwick Country Park parkrun is where I’d like to complete it due to their fantastic social media team.
Sandwell Valley Country Park, entry is off Salters Lane, West Bromwich, B71 4BG
Sandwell Valley parkrun facilities
Wow what hasn’t Sandwell Valley got? Obviously there’s plenty of parking (at just 40p an hour) and toilets. Additionally, however, there’s lots of beautiful open green space, nature reserves, and woods. But additionally there’s farms, play areas, an outdoor gym, high and low ropes, mini golf, a lake, walking trails, and tennis courts!
Sandwell Valley parkrun Course
The description on the parkrun page felt very complicated. Fortunately the first timers briefing made it sound much easier. Basically there’s a run over the motorway bridge to do a small loop. Followed by a big loop and back over the bridge. All clearly marked out with signs and volunteers to guide you.
The Course For Me
The description is more to completely warn you I think. Although both out and back I don’t think I was prepared for the hills! These I feel are also to blame for not actually noticing the well ruins!
The lake however did look very inviting both times I went past. Definitely wished I’d found out if a post-run swim was possibly before we visited!
There’s a great map during the First Timer’s briefing.
My Experience at Sandwell Valley parkrun
Location
Firstly I was blown away by the location. As already mentioned it just had so much on offer. But it also felt really big and beautiful. Even the inclines didn’t detract from this!
Tourist
When we found the start immediately I ended up talking to Catherine. Initially this was because she’d offered to talk my photo. But then we talked about touristing, favourite courses and even our children.
She looked in her 40s and a very fast runner. In fact my 22 year old was pleased to have finished before her. This was not a given as they were yo-yoing a bit. Let’s say she looks VERY good for her age, and was NOT in her 40s!
Welcome
It wasn’t long before the RD approached us with a warm welcome. She explained that the course wasn’t as complicated as it sounded. Also reassuring us that there were plenty of signs and volunteers to guide us.
My Family at Sandwell Valley parkrun
My second eldest son and youngest came with us. It was the older of the two who came first in our family today. He used to always be the fastest and has been exercising more since returning from America. Plus his younger (but not youngest) brother did not come.
Downhill
He didn’t think I should be so far forward but it turned out to be a slightly slow start. This is most likely to the uphill start. However, the down is very quick to come. Luckily there is a marshal there because I think we both thought that I was going to fall!
Friendly
Other than it being a very beautiful run it was really friendly. One of those parkruns where you could really feel the community. At the end I couldn’t sprint finish properly as there was no room to attempt to go around the man going around people.
He, and a few others behind me, all thanked me for inspiring, encouraging – and one even said pacing – them!
Sandwell Valley parkrun Event 312 Stats
188 runners – 95 male, 84 female and 9 unknown.
22 volunteers. Happy birthday to marshal Barry Pawling and thank you for the tubs of chocolates.
14 very first time to parkrun
37 very first time tourists to Sandwell Valley parkrun from Gloucestershire, Derbyshire and Dresden, Germany
First finisher Catherine in 19:44. Also the highest age grade with 75.08%.
First male finisher in 20:08.
The highest male age grade, however, was Mark with 74.14% (VM70-74), in a time of 24:45.
17 PBs.
The tail walker crossed in 62:25.
78 participants finished sub 30.
I may have come last in our family, but today I took the highest family age grading!
Other parkruns nearby we have done are:
Brunswick Park parkrun (2.8m), Walsall Arboretum parkrun (4.6m), Cannon Hill parkrun (5.7m), Sutton Park parkrun (6.1m), East Park parkrun (6.6m), Dudley parkrun (7.0m), Oaklands parkrun (7.7m)
Also visit these other bloggers who cover parkrun: Sarah at Mum of Three World, Jackie at Never Imitate and Chrissy at It’s Me Chrissy J
It sounds like you had a great experience there. We went in early 2020. We hadn’t planned to go there, but when we arrived at Perry Bar, it was cancelled. So we had a big rush to find an alternative! We got to Sandwell Valley in time, but no time to get our bearings. That was only my second time of getting first lady!
Thanks as ever for the mention.