We headed along to Green Park parkrun for their 17th event. For those following my parkrun adventures here I am sure you are aware that this was to help my Wilson Index.
Green Park, 200 Longwater Avenue, Reading, RG2 6GP
Facilities
- Free parking a short walk away
- There are plenty of signs clearly showing the way
- No toilets
- Trim trail equipment
It is important to note that there is no return to the start so you must leave any belongings you wish to not take around with you at the finish area. We did walk past this on the way to the start area from the parking.
Green Park parkrun Course
- It is one and a half laps on paths around the lake and business park.
- Parts of the course cross a bridge.
- The finish is up a small incline.
About Green Park parkrun
A very organised newish parkrun:
- It was made clear about belongings with plenty of time to take them to the finish and return
- The first timers briefing was JUST for those doing their very first parkrun. Well done to all 11.
- Personally I think this is a much better idea as too many tourists make it difficult for first timers to hear any important information. There were 142 tourists.
- Self-seeding markers for different predicted finish times.
- Clear map and km markers around the course.
- Finish token hooks in two places.
My Experience
Although the briefing was all very clear, the 3, 2, 1, Go, seemed very quiet. There was still a bit of a slow start, particularly as there was a double pushchair trying to go, but we all soon got moving. Note that the double pushchair user was in the right place and flew around the course!
At 4km the couple I had been trying to just keep going with apologised for jumping in and out of my way (due to overtaking on the left instead of the right as was practical at the time). It was here I told them that they were keeping me going and without them I would have ended up walking. However, they then decided to sprint off at this point, so I did indeed end up walking!
Did manage a slight sprint at the finish. Starting behind the 28 minutes seeding sign, just back a bit more, I was pleased to finish in 27:49.
Green Park parkrun Stats Event 17
- Another hot one with 327 participants and 30 volunteers.
- 191 male, 132 female and 4 unknown.
- There were 52 PBs.
- With times ranging between 17:43-1:06:35.
- First lady finished in 20:36 (SW25-29).
- It was a female with the highest age grading – (VW65-69) 81.84% in 25:09.
- The highest male age grading was 80.31% (VM55-59) in 19:38.
Finish Times
- One sub 18
- Total of 7 sub 19
- Twelve sub 20
- Sixty-nine sub 25
- 123 participants finished in 28 minutes or less.
- 167 sub 30
- 283 in 40 minutes or quicker
- 310 in 50 minutes or quicker
- 321 in under an hour.
I haven’t done any of the other nearby parkruns
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