We headed to Jubilee Bedford parkrun for my husband’s 100th different event. His Cowell. It ticked off so many parkrun challenges including the last letter I needed for the namely challenge. Plus with one alphabet complete it seems sensible to start a second, right? it did cover a lowish number I need towards my Wilson Indec too. But we actually headed there that particular week because of Adam ‘Tango’ Holland!
Jubilee Park, Harrowden Road, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 0SP /soccer.puppy.farmer.
Adam ‘Tango’ Holland
I noticed that Adam ‘Tango’ Holland was going to be there it seemed the right time to visit. This tied in with my husband’s 100th different event. His Cowell. So it felt a bit more special.
Adam has been appearing on my feed I think initially because he’s a Flanci Ambassador. Nicky (the owner) has been SUPER kind to me and gifted me a few different kits now. This includes my work skort which I absolutely love.
Adam at Gloucester City
Next I saw that a local runner had tried to keep up with Adam at Gloucester City parkrun. He had given up fairly quickly! Not surprising as Adam’s parkrun PB is a little over 13 1/2 minutes!!!
Turns out he’s a bit of a celebrity with his own wiki page! At the age of 23 he became the youngest person in Europe to have run 100 marathons.
I knew he was there as he was doing his volunteer alphabet. We had left our house at 6:30am to get there and so I was thrilled when I set eyes on him! A friend had previously met him and said what a nice guy he is. He was very friendly and he let me get my photos.
Facilities at Jubilee Bedford parkrun
- Free parking. No toilets before parkrun. We went to the nearby services on the way.
- It’s a short walk from the carpark but well signed posted. Personally I don’t think it was far away as described on the course.
- Afterwards it was so busy we just headed to McDonald’s. The carpark was hectic getting out so I don’t like to imagine what things are like with better weather.
- The start and briefing isn’t quiet where the finish is. Therefore, my husband ran with our bag of waters to pop them down by there.
- The park also boasts a well-equipped children’s playground, outdoor gym and skate park.
- Also accessible by bus.
Jubilee Bedford parkrun Course
The course to me sounded a little complicated. All I needed to remember was that you go around the “Stonehenge” roundabout three times! Other than that it was a case of following the people in front.
The front runners did get a little confused but were pointed in the right direction. It wasn’t clear whether we were to keep left or right. But the latter made more sense as the finish broke off to the left.
Mostly on path unless you wanted to also utilise the path to overtake. However, there’s a little bit on grass for the finish and this was really muddy (and therefore slippery).
Luckily as well the first incline was not repeated!!
My Experience
There was a lovely community feel at Jubilee Bedford parkrun for their 35th event. We had a hen party, milestone celebrations, and alphabet celebrations.
Also sadly a couple had lost their son. They had codes on their t-shirts fundraising. The father hadn’t run in years and think the support of the community made it even more emotional. I gave him a hug.
I managed to run the whole course, apart from when I had to stop and tie my lace. It wasn’t the flattest of courses but in a beautiful park. Not that I saw much as I just kept up with a lady who made it look like she was going for a brisk walk – focusing on her feet! She was so amazing, as I really put everything into my technique and struggled to breathe!
At the end the Hodkin couple sped up to make sure that I didn’t get across the line before them. No mean feat on the slippery mud! They were kind enough to let me have a selfie with them.
However, I was still first in my age category.
Jubliee Bedford parkrun Stats Event 35
- 196 participants – 112 male, 83 female and 1 unknown.
- 16:30-1:02:55
- An impressive 10 sub 20
- First female in 21:33
- 46 sub 25
- 115 sub 30
Despite Adam “Tango” Holland taking it easy, ahead of his Half Marathon the next day, he did achieve the highest age grading of 80.30%. He finished third. Personally I feel this was really impressive as he stuck to his intended sub17 time and didn’t push harder to finish first.
With the highest female completing it in 74.66% (VW50-54) a time of 23:37.
Welcome to the one person doing their first ever parkrun. There were also a further 92 tourists making their first trip to Jubilee Bedford parkrun.
Congratulations to the 30 people gaining PBs for Jubilee Bedford parkrun.
Children at Jubilee Bedford parkrun Event 35
Interestingly there were no under 11s! Well not participating anyway! Only 3 children ages 11-14. Two males aged 15-17.
Adult Age Categories
- In fact there was only one 18-19 year old too!
- Plus 5 in the 20-24 category
- 19 25-29
- 15 30-34
- 17 35-39
- 15 40-44
- 21 45-49
- Largest catergory of 30 50-54
- Third biggest 23 55-59
- Second 27 60-64
- 10 65-69
- 2 70-74
- 3 75-79
- Only 1 80-84
- Finally, 1 85-89
We have not been to any of the parkruns nearby.
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