Kilkenny Lane Country parkrun – The One with Plenty of Mud

We opted for Kilkenny Lane Country parkrun, the one in Oxford not Kilkenny parkrun in Ireland! Not only was this our NENDY (Next Event Not Done Yet) but it was also the next event number I needed for my Wilson Event (11).

Kilkenny Lane Country Park, Elmhurst Way, Carterton, OX18 1EY

Kilkenny Lane Country parkrun Facilities

The event is accessible by bus (S1 and 233) or on foot).

The Facebook page states that there is limited free parking in the following areas:

• Thornhill Close, OX18 1GT – w3w: ///prove.sprinkler.prime.
• Miles Drive, OX18 1NZ – w3w: ///tickling.assess.handfuls.

However, these are a short walk away and I feel it is unclear whether we are meant to use the carpark near the start. There’s big signs just before the carpark saying no parking for parkrun – but this may have been on the actual road. It is small and filled quickly so perhaps leave it for those who have accessibility difficulties whether you can use it or not.

Toilets

You can find the toilets within the above mentioned carpark (near the play area for the run briefing). These take 20p coins and I took a whole bunch of them with me. Unfortunately, after paying it just took my money and the door didn’t open. So I joined the queue where people were holding the door open. This meant we only just made it to the briefing and parked at 8:30am.

Belongings

Most people left their belongings near the park under shelter. As a first I actually had a jacket on which I left there – as it was a walk from the car and not particularly warm. Note I got too hot running mind! However, this meant that we didn’t have our water with us at the end, as we had to walk back here. Not too far but something to keep in mind if we return.

Kilkenny Lane Country parkrun Course

Kilkenny Lane Country parkrun has recently moved to its winter course.

Clearly laid out. Although there was one part I could have gone wrong if I wasn’t just following people in front. I think there was a volunteer there the first time we went around, but by my second and third laps I felt like I was dying!

Number of Laps

These are 3 smaller laps and a bit to the side to finish. You can clearly see where the finish is on each lap. It was particularly muddy and slippery here!

Description

The start is at the middle part (open green field) of the park. Then follows the outer perimeter of Kilkenny Lane Country Park. Described as enjoying a mix of grass, gravel, and sand paths. Although the path may be difficult in some trail shoes – you could easily move onto the grass I would have thought.

Described as mostly flat with a “gentle incline.” Personally my legs and gasping body wouldn’t have described it as such – but maybe the mud didn’t help. Strava recorded the elevation as 24m.

Hazards

Brand new RD Agnieszka told us a lot of information about hazards on the course – most noticeably we were told that the “path narrowed.” We didn’t quite expect that to me that there was a bridge and a massive hole you can fall down. However, there was white tape where this is, and a volunteer.

What to Wear

Trail shoes were mentioned as “advisable” and a change of clothes recommended. Although I did manage it in just road shoes that probably did hinder me. Plus I think that one of the volunteers was expecting me to fall at her feet! It did feel ever so close!

My Experience at Kilkenny Lane Country parkrun

This is definitely a parkrun I would recommend as I really felt like I worked hard for it. Early on I said it was a post-parkrun nap course. In the end I was thrilled to come in sub30 (officially 29m 35s). Only problem was the toilet not opening when I paid.

The first km I felt strong and thought I could keep going even though I could feel the elevation. For a while I even managed to keep up with my husband. By 2.5km though I was so noisy with my breathing and it felt really uncomfortable (for me) for the person in front. Obviously I apologised and they said it was okay. By 3km I walked so that they could get away from me.

There’s a lovely play area (no dogs allowed in the children’s play area where the run briefing is held). Plus lots of lovely horse (statues).

Despite the not particularly large numbers it was lovely to see familiar faces (Manda, Andy and Tracey) that I had met before. We all walked to the start together which felt quite a way away. Everyone had got there before they started us off though.

Even though the course was super muddy, I didn’t end up getting that dirty. However, being in road shoes I guess I didn’t run through the puddles as much. This may also account for why my Strava recorded it as being over 5k.

Kilkenny Lane Country parkrun Stats Event 11

There were 164 participants at Kilkenny Lane Country parkrun for event 11. 92 male, 69 female and 3 unknown.

Personally the fact that the first finisher was familiar with the course with a PB of 19:40 says it all to me! His overall parkrun PB being 18:46.

The most impressive runner has got to be the one with the highest age grade of 82.32%. In the age VM70-74 finishing in 11^th place in an impressive time of 21:58.

17 (over 10%) of participants were over 60.

• First female finished second in 19:58.
• Highest female age grading was 74.81% in 25:56 (VW60-64).
• The tail walker crossed in 1hr 1 minute and 6 seconds.
• 43 25 minutes or less (26%) and 87 sub 30 (53%).

There were 10 people doing their very first parkrun. Honestly, I promise you all that every course isn’t this difficult. Although some are harder! A further 96 were new to Kilkenny Lane Country parkrun. Meaning that only 58 were returning. Of which 14 (24%) achieved a PB!

Other parkruns nearby that I have done:

Witney parkrun (3.7m), Chipping Norton School parkrun (11.5m), Harcourt Hill parkrun (13.1m), Oxford parkrun (14.3m), University Parks parkrun (14.8m), Seven Fields parkrun (15.2m), Fire Service College parkrun (15.3m), and Cirencester parkrun (17.5m).

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