The parkrun Alphabet is probably the most known and common of the unofficial parkrun challenges. Here is some further information that you may not already know!
About the parkrun Alphabet
To achieve a parkrun Alphabet you just attend an event with the starting letter for each letter of the alphabet. That means if the event is called “the” something, that letter is a T.
Some people like to do this in alphabetical order too. You can do it in any order though.
It is not possible to get an X currently. Again an option is to go somewhere with X in the name, but this is seen as optional. We went to Exmouth parkrun for example.
If you are in the UK you will need to go abroad to finish it off as we have no parkruns starting with a Z.
Why Do it
People complete their parkrun alphabet for a variety of reasons and motivations. Some maybe due to the really lovely community spirit that comes with it. Others to help them narrow down which event to visit next. With parkrun growing so much there are becoming more and more options. Although some people like to stick with their home parkrun it is good to try out different terrains and meet new people.
Apps for Tracking Alphabeteer Status
You can track your progress on one of the many parkrun apps, including the now official parkrun app.
The Running Achievements App tells you what percentage of your Max Alphabets you are on. Currently that is 250 different events for 10 different alphabets. Even suggesting where you can go to get the missing letters.
Difficult Letters
The Parkrace App very neatly tells you how many of each letter you have got. Personally I have done all the B, C, S and W events I need – so they are clearly more common. In the UK more tricky letters are I, J, Q, U, V and Y.
Noteable Alphabeteers
Cass Castleton and Andy Airey have completed as much as they can for 11th alphabets. Although Cass got there first!
Cass was the first person to do 6 alphabets, therefore it is now known as a Cassabeteer. See in which order these were achieved, and on what date, at Challenge Chaser. Deb Airey was the first woman in the world to achieve a Cassabeteer.
Some people start their parkrun journeys by chasing alphabets and so have completed one on their first 25 parkruns. Jo Dyer completed 3 alphabets in 74 weeks (over 75 runs).
Celebrating completing a parkrun Alphabet
People celebrate becoming an Alphabeteer in many ways. This includes with flags at the event, with badges, and having t-shirts or sweatshirts printed. And of course they take chocolates, cookies and CAKE to their final event!
There are many tourist groups that travel together – and so some people many it a really special event. Especially if they are ending on a Z. Personally I was really lucky that someone was also celebrating and took a balloon when I got one of my Zs.
Also people have their photo taken by the event signs and make a collage of them at the end (in alphabetical order) and people compare how many they match.
Volunteering parkrun Alphabet
Of course parkrun only runs with the help of the volunteers. Therefore, some people like to add in some volunteering on their travels and do the same challenge and gain their volunteer alphabet.
Backwards Alphabet
Someone even had the idea of doing a backwards alphabet – where you complete parkruns that end in each letter of the alphabet. This can be created as a challenge on the 5k app. This limits the challenge down to 24 letters as there is no Q or V ending parkrun events at present.
About My Family parkrun Alphabet
Last year I finally finished mine, as did our youngest son. My husband is just one letter away. Unfortunately that is a V and we are hoping to complete at Victoria Park, Newbury and it keeps being cancelled. Fingers crossed her will complete on Valentine’s Day when we are off to Valentines Park parkrun.
Unfortunately, Victoria Dock parkrun, where myself and our youngest got our Vs has been struggling with volunteers so is not running. This is the same with Aston Hall parkrun, where I got one of my As.
For my second alphabet I need I, J, Q, U and V.
This is as much as I know – is there anything I have missed? Are you doing a parkrun alphabet – or maybe you are on your eleventh. How are you getting on? Do you have a favourite?