We headed to Five Arches parkrun Event 111. This is known as a Nelson which is a cricketing term and one of the parkrun challenges. Actually I think it may be one of the removed challenges. Anyway we headed there because our original destination was cancelled. A friend from Boomerang HQ was going to surprise us there (the first place) and this is where she was now headed.
Five Arches parkrun, Norton-Radstock Greenway (by the Tom Huyton Play Park), Somervale Road, Radstock, BA3 3AA
Facilities
Free parking atWaterloo Road (BA3 3EP) and Church Street car park (BA3 3QG). Need a ticket and the machine was being a bit odd. Can also use the app.
Toilet (only disabled one was in action when we went).
Post parkrun faff – The Miners Rest inside The Radstock Hotel (Market Place, Radstock Road, BA3 3AD). Dog friendly. Yummy breakfast. Plus there was a deal for a coffee and cake (a delicious, large, brownie) for only an extra 30p on top of my latte – seemed rude not to really! Waiter service as well!
The Five Arches parkrun Course
Describe as a flat, tarmac path utilising the old Somerset and Dorset Railway. Passing by woodland, fields and through the Five Arch railway tunnel (count 4 arches as you do). Consisting of one short loop and one longer loop, starting and finishing in the same place.
Dog friendly.
Looking at the results you may think this is indeed a great place for a PB. However, as mentioned in the briefing, the term “flat” depends on your meaning! Yes it isn’t hilly but my word your legs will feel it on the out (elite runners won’t be reading my blog no doubt lol).
A kind volunteer was there saying, “it’s all downhill now” on the way back towards the finish.
My Experience
It moved quite nicely at the start. The first km was disappointing to see on my watch as it felt a lot faster! Least it meant I hadn’t gone out too fast I guess.
It was a nice course for us to be able to encourage each other as we went by.
Managed to keep running until 4.5km. Disappointing really but even days later my legs are still killing and it just wasn’t going to be a PB.
My 2 mile time was 17:51 so really it was possible! Plus my finish time (27m 02s) is only my (joint) 11th fastest parkrun time ever. Finishing 13th female overall and fastest in my age category.
Five Arches parkrun Stats Event 111
For a change I am going to start with the highest age grading at Five Arches parkrun. Now it was 85.77% (SW30-34) but feels like it should be much more as the first female, and second place finisher, completed in a time of 17:20.
Just 10 seconds behind the first finisher (who did not have the highest male age grade!). Jerry (VM65-69) had that title with 84.64% and a time of 20:11 (not his PB!)
- 194 participants. 108 male, 84 female and 2 unknown.
- Times varied between 17:10-52:25.
- 22 sub 20
- 60 sub 25
- 118 sub 30.
- 28 PBs
- 6 first timers to parkrun
- 45 first time tourists to Five Arches parkrun
- 19 volunteers
Other parkruns Nearby that I have done
Brickfields Park parkrun (6.5m), Somerdale Pavilion parkrun (9.5m), Southwick Country Park parkrun (9.5m), Thoulstone parkrun (10.6m), Pomphrey Hill parkrun (13.0m), Ashton Court parkrun (13.2m), Eastville parkrun (13.4m).
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