We headed to Zegerplas parkrun in the Netherlands this half term. Those familiar with the parkrun challenges will know that the Alphabeteer Challenge is one that is very popular. What you need is to go to an event that starts with the first letter of every letter of the alphabet. However, currently in the UK there are none that begin with Z!
Zegerplas, Burgemeester Bruins Slotsingel 18, 2403 NC Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands
Travelling there
We took the Stena Line Ferry over to the Netherlands the day before. This is a long crossing and I highly recommend a cabin. We then stayed at Eurocamp but Zegerplas parkrun is roughly 47 mins (51.8km) away from Hook of Harwich port.
Other people had arrived on public transport and were helping each other out. However, this was a much smaller event than if you’d have gone to Zuiderpark Den Haag to collect your Z.
Facilities at Zegerplas parkrun
Unfortunately there are no toilets or showers at Zegerplas parkrun. However, there is free parking on Saturday mornings. We popped into McDonald’s on route.
De Pannenkoe restaurant for coffee and food afterward. This is around 450m/6 minute walk away, not far from the parking. The cafe wasn’t open for coffee until 10, and food 11 so the boys didn’t want to wait. Instead we headed to McDonald’s (in the car).
Zegerplas parkrun Course
Described as a flat out and back around the lake. With well-maintained walking and cycle paths.
The course is on paths but a lot was covered in leaves and wet from the rain. Also there was a broken bit of path so we had to move on to the grass.
You start in the direction towards the Chinese restaurant (sort of alongside the carpark) and then back that way but following the lake, passing the start area. Then you don’t go all around the lake but turn back around (probably about half way). Back past the broken bit onto the grass and back round (left) to the finish (which is also moved on to the grass).
Even with the small numbers of people it was too congested at the start and I ended up going too fast to try to get around people.
My Experience
We had been aiming to go to Zuiderpark parkrun Hoogeveen but we couldn’t get out of our campsite until 7am (and had been ready to leave at 6!!). Even getting to Zegerplas was a bit of a stretch as we like to arrive at around 8:30am. Despite arriving at around 8:55am I still have time to grab a photo by the sign (thank you Nigel) and hear the first timers briefing.
This was the first time someone mentioned how brave (or something like that) for my choice of clothing. Near the start someone said I would regret it. It wasn’t the warmest weather but definitely didn’t feel as cold as in Germany for Unity Day.
In fact in the end I ended up walking loads because I was just too hot.
Briefing
Thankfully the briefing was first done in Dutch and then English. It is very clear on the website that they do not celebrate the alphabet challenge as they’d just have too many. Also they are not interested in people volunteering for the sake of getting a Z volunteer credit and therefore only offer volunteer roles for the core roles.
Milestones were called out and someone said about their second/third alphabet and the RD said hopefully not too many planes or something to that effect.
Starting
Despite this skin of our teeth arrival, and seemingly late briefing, after a quick starting line photo it started bang on 9 o’clock.
Youngest started off just going behind me but finally left me when my husband went gliding by!
Getting Confused
Both myself and my son found things a little confusing but think this is due to the broken bit we had to go round which is not normally the case. People in front of me had disappeared (with a lady encouraging me as she overtook) so I let Nigel go ahead of me so that I had someone to follow.
However, we were unsure which way to go and decided to go one way (it was correct) and he told me to go in front. I assured him that I would at the end. At the end my husband had to tell me to go off the path and onto the muddy grass to finish.
Result
Gutted to take token 20 as that was my previous highest position. Especially as I had a time of 27:41 which I knew I could beat. But then it was actually my husband who took token 19 and he finished a good 42 seconds before me!
Stats at Zegerplas parkrun Event 95
- Of the 41 participants no-one was doing their very first parkrun. Helen came back for her all-important second however!
- 25 males and 16 females.
- There were 15 very first time tourists to Zegerplas parkrun and 5 PBS!
- 25 participants finished in less than 30 minutes.
- Times ranged from 19:48-53:13
- First Lady was 22:36.
Highly recommend Zegerplas parkrun. Such a beautiful location that even our youngest son wanted to go off and take photographs afterwards. Thank you to the 8 hi-vis heroes – who also took photos of us running.
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