It was quite a late decision to attend Marlborough Common parkrun for the tu-tu weekend! That is because it was the 22nd of the month!!
See the thing is I didn’t have work, and now our son who works Saturdays can’t go at all (he’s switched to the morning shift) it meant we weren’t as limited to how far away we travelled. Plus our youngest still wasn’t 100% and the weather wasn’t great.
Marlborough Common, Marlborough, SN8 1DL
Both myself and my husband weren’t feeling well either plus my husband is still chugging away at redoing our kitchen. With it being only an hour away from home also meant we got more of a lie-in.
Marlborough Common parkrun Facilities
Parking
There is free parking at Marlborough Common parkrun until 10:30am. From then if you wish to go to the golf club for breakfast you need to move your car there. It is really close, I walked over. We were asked to park in a particular spot and to reverse into that space. This was on a field. It was because they didn’t fancy pushing us out apparently!
Breakfast
Very yummy with a great view. We had an 18 Hole Full English at £14.95 each.
Toilets
Before parkrun there are no toilets at the start. Apparently there are some in the town centre, carpark behind Waitrose. Afterwards as I say you can go for breakfast at the golf club where there are toilets. Note you will need to take any muddy footwear off. Luckily for me I had also got my crocs with me!! There’s no way I was getting my Vibrams back on and my socks were muddy and soaking!
Marlborough Common parkrun Course
There was a very thorough description of the course. Mostly you need to know that even in my trails and going slowly I nearly slipped over a few times! That it consists of a well-marked out and marshalled out and back and then further two laps – with a slight additional bit to the right to finish.
It isn’t flat; almost entirely on grass, with an uneven surface in places; there are some inclines and the total ascent is about 40m. Personally I was able to follow someone in front but did struggle with the finish as I couldn’t visualise it. This is entirely due to my disability, further not helped by my not wearing my glasses! Once I had processed where it was it was really obvious!
My Experience
What a lovely welcome we received. The lady doing the First Timers Briefing hadn’t done it before and did a marvelous job!
They even asked to take my photo (and if it were okay to put on social media) for wearing a tutu. Someone said it was dedication. A parkrun tourist asked me what it was about!
Also I knew I was ill because I got my husband to get me my running top to wear as well as my running jacket, as I was so cold and assumed I would end up walking a lot! Thank you to the kind marshal who took them both and put them on the waterproof sheet to keep them dry as I went round on my second lap.
Jeffing Marlborough Common parkrun
Having been ill for a week, and hardly being able to breathe, I knew there was no way I would be able to run the course. Thinking I would be around the 40 minute mark I headed right near the back of the pack to start.
Starting
Little did I know that the start was a hidden incline, thinking it was just my illness, and so ignored my beeper when it went off. This was because my husband seemed to be taking it easy too and I thought I would just keep up with him. Turns out it must have just because there were so many people in front/the incline because we had sped up to a 4:49km pace before I gave up and walked!!
Ease
It was a really easy course to be Jeffing at as there were no narrow bits being on wide open field. Everyone seemed fine with me stopping and walking and just cheered me on. Hardest part was actually when the lady I was following also stopped to walk!
Finish
Despite not feeling well, or completely getting where I was going, I did manage a sort of sprint finish! Official time slightly over my Strava at 31m 51s but pleased with that. Oooh and they had Jelly Babies at the end!!
Marlborough Common parkrun Event 278 Stats
- 105 participants
- 20:11-51:32
- First Lady 22:05 (sw30-34)
- 64 sub 30
- 6 PB
- Highest age grade 77.46% in 23:22 (VW55-59) and male 72.38% in 20:42 (VM50-54)
- Well done to Emma on her very first parkrun – particularly given the weather!
- Plus 19 tourists on their first visit to Marlborough Common parkrun
Other parkruns nearby that we have done:
Lydiard parkrun (10.8m), Seven Fields parkrun (11.4m), Quakers Walk parkrun (12.2m),and Chippenham parkrun (16.6m).
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