A relatively new, beautiful event in the West Midlands saw us heading to Haughmond Hill parkrun. It was event 34 so great for my lower numbers for the Wilson Index and Fibonacci (see parkrun Stats and Challenges). Plus I do love playing the “which parkrun” game in the West Midlands group so it is good to get another one ticked off.
Haughmond Hill, Upton Magna, Shrewsbury, SY4 4PW
what3words: ///rental.shuts.played.
Haughmond Hill parkrun Facilities
Surprised when we arrived that there was an open toilet before the parkrun. Luckily we always arrive early and there was no queue as it is just the one. It wasn’t long before this was a very different story. There are more available after the event.
We had already stopped at the M54 Services – which was interesting in itself and worth a visit.
Pay and display parking.
Haughmond Hill parkrun Course
One lap course but there’s a couple of out and back points so you do get to see other people you know ahead of you. Following narrow trail paths around Haughmond Hill. Naturally it’s “undulating,” and uneven. With tree roots, rocks and mud. Personally I opted for my road shoes and it was the right choice for me given the dry weather.
The start and finish are near to the main car park and café. Items can be left on the table of trust at your own risk.
Dog friendly course.
My Experience
Very organised they got us to go and line up at the start in order of when we expected to finish. So I optimistically went with the 30 minute lot as knew it would be too slow for me if I started any further back.
Already planning on Jeffing I managed to run straight for almost a km keeping up with my husband. At that point I felt that the pack had dispersed enough that I could begin my run/walk technique. However, I ended up walking even more than that. Warned about the hills, but it was worse than I had anticipated and my knee still hurt. See bitten by a dog at parkrun
However, despite walking the whole half a km uphill at one point, and then Jeffing a 90:30 I managed just 2 second over 30 minutes. Annoyed as it would have been sub 30 but my music ran out and I was sorting that not realising how close I was to the end!
Support and Finish
Thank you so much to everyone around me who offered so much support to help me keep going. The wonderful reception from the RD Louise on my sprint finish. Actually she asked me if it was a PB and told me I should ring the bell anyway! Also to the man who came to say that he tried to keep up with me at the end but just couldn’t.
If happens to read this and it’s any consolation Strava recorded my peak of the sprint finish as a 2:36km pace. Additionally it said I finished actual 5km under 30 minutes. With my fastest 400m and ½ mile of 2026.
Haughmond Hill parkrun Stats for Event 34
- 154 finishers
- 24 volunteers
- 18:19-1:07:45
- 3 sub 20
- First female position 15 with a new PB of 22:53
- 30 sub 25
- Officially 65 sub 30 but I know it was 67 as I only just missed it and there wasn’t anyone immediately in front of me.
- 8 first timers at parkrun and a further 61 tourists.
I haven’t completed any of the parkrun events listed as 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 and Nickie at I am Typecast