We headed to Diglis Fields Junior parkrun this weekend. Covering the roles of Warm-Up Leader, Marshal, Barcode scanner, Token Sorting and Post Event Close down. The RD is actually Chrissy from It’s Me Chrissy J so I was more than happy when asked to do the additional Marshal Role. You can read more about Junior parkrun.
Diglis Fields Junior parkrun, Worcester, WR5 3FB
Locker.glue.civic
Finding Diglis Fields Junior parkrun
Let’s be honest Junior parkruns are normally for people familiar with the area. Although we have been to Worcester many times we had never been to Diglis Fields before.
My husband put in the “what three words” and it took him next to the fields but where he couldn’t park. This is going to be rectified. Normally it wouldn’t matter so much as there’s plenty of free roadside parking and a small carpark on a Sunday. However, there were record numbers this weekend. Plus he did manage to find nearby street parking okay. The carparks are at known.drew.swaps or press.being.basket.
Other Facilities at Diglis Fields Junior parkrun
- There are no toilets at Diglis Fields Junior parkrun. Again usually people would have just travelled a short distance from home.
- There is a play area.
- A miniature model railway.
Volunteers Welcome
The volunteering reminder e-mail said 8:40 so we had also left it a bit later than normal. Luckily I sent Chrissy a message over Facebook to say that we were there but just trying to park.
After my husband dropped me off I found everyone easily. Obviously a warm welcome from said RD, but also the volunteer coordinator. There were lots of people helping out (they don’t turn people away) and everyone was lovely and friendly.
My Junior parkrun Volunteer Roles
I had offered for us to do several roles but the volunteer coordinated asked if I could marshal too, so I had agreed.
Warm Up Leader
A Junior parkrun only role and my third time of doing this and I’m starting to relax a bit more. Again I had juniors helping me out and everyone seemed to love the music.
The warm up was done in front of the start line. For future reference I need to make sure that the children know my countdown is to the end of the warm up and NOT the start of the run!
Marshal Turn Around Point
Next I moved on to my marsshal role. What I loved about this Junior parkrun is how clear the volunteer coordinator was. Explaining (and showing) clearly where I would be, and the purpose of being there.
However, an additional marshal also offered to help and so in the end I was able to move from my post and see the first children finish. As although my initial post was quickly redundant (only passing it once) the first finishers were quicker than the tail walker could get there.
Barcode Scanning
My husband enjoyed his barcode scanning and said it was easier holding a bucket up for the children to know where to put their tokens.
Token Sorting
Again there was lots of help with token sorting and there was a numbered box to help organise sorting.
Post-Event Close Down
Finally post event close down was mostly getting all the equipment back to the storage box. As again everyone had helped getting everything all in one place. Mostly whilst I was still sorting tokens. Then everything was carefully organised back into place. I have taken a photograph in case we return so we know how it all fits in.
Diglis Fields Junior parkrun Course
The Diglis Fields Junior parkrun is two laps mostly on grass but with a bit of path. However, it goes out around the perimeter of the park and then back towards the start. Passing where the start was the children go around the cones at the marshal, off the grass and on to the path to repeat the lap again.
Although near the end of the second lap the course splits off to the right for the finish, instead of continuing to where the start was. There were lots and lots of marshals making sure the children were always visible and most certainly knew where they were going.
My Experience of Diglis Fields Junior parkrun
Such a wonderful friendly Junior parkrun. Although there were not many of the upper age range when we went, there were some, and a very good mix of ages and runners. It struck me at just how many ran so brilliantly – even those who were clearly very young!
The course could have done with a keep left on the first lap, and right on the second. However, as it isn’t normally that busy this wasn’t the case. Plus, all the children dealt with it well and were very respectful of each other throughout. With no pushing at any point and just friendly sprinting from some at the end.
Was nice to see the community spirit even in those so young, as one girl just stopped running fast to walk and talk a young boy in!
Stats at Diglis Fields Junior parkrun Event 139
- A record 162 finishers were at Diglis Fields Junior parkrun for event 139
- 90 male
- 70 female
- 2 unknown
- Finishing in times ranging from 7:21-23:06
- First female 7:47
- Who also had the highest age grade 74.3%
- 4 junior volunteers
- 33 adult volunteers
- 162 participants
- 32 new PBs
- 10 first ever parkrun
- 5 tourists
Finish Times at Diglis Fields Junior parkrun
- 3 sub 8
- 14 under 9 minutes
- 34 in under 10
- 49 under 11
- 75 in under 12 (equivalent to a 30 minutes 5k)
- 107 under 14 minutes
- 128 children finished 16 minutes or quicker
- 152 under 18 minutes.
We have volunteered at nearby Evesham Velo Park Juniors (13.5m) and Winchcombe Juniors (18.6m).
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