We headed to Ormskirk parkrun before then heading off to the UK Youth Development League Lower Age Group Finals. These were held at Wavertree Athletics Stadium in Liverpool. Not the nearest as that I believe is Princes parkrun. However, I fancied getting another O in preparation for a fourth in the parkrun Alphabeteer challenge.
Edge Hill University, Sporting Edge, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L39 4QP
Facilities at Ormskirk parkrun
- Toilets are open close to the start/finish area at 8:45am.
- Accessible by foot/bus/train and car (with free parking).
- It is a sports centre so there are showers – I would check it is okay to use them.
Ormskirk parkrun Course
This is another course that could potentially be seen as having “Strava art” – but not quite as family friendly as Oude Warande parkrun’s windmill!
A road shoes course which begins on the outside of a running track. Heading in an anti-clockwise direction you follow the track around for about half a lap. Note at no point do you run on the running track.
Next you go right onto the trim trail. Then pass the all-weather pitches, following the path as it bends left down the hill. You’ll turn left a few times and then end up at Hairpin Hill. This has a 180 degree turn at the top. Where you then turn right continuing on the trim trail.
Repeat the lap until you return to this point. Finally running back towards the running track. Turning left and then it is just 100m to the finish. This is not as far away as the start was.
No dogs course, other than guide dogs.
My Experience
To be completely honest we did miss the first timers briefing. Not sure why as we got there in time and even went to the toilet and did a selfie with the sign!
As I was expecting to run on the track I opted for my intervals pro setting and then my watch almost died! All I knew was it was two laps.
However, it was easy to follow everyone else. At the end I had some encouragement and told it wasn’t far – and it was closer than I had anticipated!
Start
A slow start, which I sometimes feel is better for me. Quite rightly I positioned myself behind two pushchairs – one being a double. They did indeed both finish before me!
Not Consistent
However, the congestion did slow me to around a 6:40 pace. This then spiked me to a 4:29/km which may have also caused me to slow right down by 2km!
That was just the start of my spiking and walking I think.
Finish
As I say I thought the finish was further away. Although I did speed up it wasn’t a sprint and there were so many of us finishing at once that I had to let someone in. Everyone was very polite to each other.
Stats at Ormskirk parkrun Event 534
361 participants took part at Ormskirk parkrun event 534. Of those 230 were male, 118 female and 13 unknown.
- Thank you to the 34 volunteers that made this event happen.
- 7 first timers to parkrun
- 33 tourists
Finishing Times
First finisher Ben was one of the 48 people to achieve a PB. Incredible seeing as he finished in 16:03 (and you do hairpin hill twice!).
Times ranged between Ben’s 16:03 and 1:06:04.
With the first lady finishing in 21:51.
Numbers Finishing
My husband finished in 115th place – 45 people ahead of me!
- Sub 1 hr – 357 people
- Under 50 minutes – 355
- Quicker than 40 minutes – 326
- Sub 30 – 213
- 28 or less – 168
- 25 or faster – 89
- There were 10 people finished sub 20
- 5 under 19 minutes
- 2 finishers under 17 minutes
Age Grading
Ben also had the highest age grading of 83.18% (VM35-39).
With Norma taking the highest female age grading with 82.32% (VW85-89) in a time of 42:48.
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