Known for being one of the UK’s Toughest Courses we decided to take on Woolacombe Dunes parkrun. It used to be the hardest but that is now known to be Great Yarmouth Beach. Some say that Woolacombe Dunes parkrun is still at least second – but the run briefing said it was fourth. But that it wasn’t far behind third.
Woolacombe Dunes, near The Porthole cafe at the end of Marine Drive car park, off Challacombe Hill Rd, Woolacombe, EX34 7ZZ – w3w location: ///enclosing.short.outgoing
Facilities at Woolacombe Dunes parkrun
There are toilets, showers, café, and parking available. Also accessible on foot.
Additionally there were pegs for belongings next to the first timers briefing.
Parking Costs
- Parking (free for National Trust Members) – register your membership with the JustPark app.
- Otherwise pay on the JustPark app Location ID 80508 or by phone 07520 634455
- All-day pass is required £10 peak season, £8 mid and £5 in the winter.
- No vehicles over 6m (lol if you were considering it).
- Open from 8am
There is other paid for parking in the town. Also some spaces that for 1 hour parking (no return 2 hours) between the times of 10am-6pm, 15 March- 31st October.
The Woolacombe Bay Central Car Park is:
- £1 per hour Winter (November through to February)
- £1.50 per hour Spring/Autumn (March, April, May and October)
- £2 per hour Early/Late Summer (June and September)
- £2.50 per hour Summer (July and August)
Woolacombe Dunes parkrun Course
Obviously this is what everyone is interested in is the Woolacombe Dunes parkrun course! Luckily it is only a one lap course! Starting and finishing in very slightly different points not too far away from each other near the café in the car park.
You then head along a path that has a lot of small rocks underfoot. This is reasonably wide before it turns to the right and creates a bottle neck as it narrows. This then takes you down quite steeply to a grassy sandy area. Take a left and eventually you will come to a lovely sandy slope on to the beach. Note there’s another bottle neck here.
The Beach and Dune of Doom
Next take a right and run across the beautiful sandy beach. When reaching some rocks you will know that you have found the Dune of Doom. Go up here and then if I am honest my memory is a little hazy! Follow the people in front unless you are first! It kind of just follows back round on the grassy sandy area until you come back to that original steep slope you came down at the start!
Slope of Hope
Fondly called The Slop of Hope, for me this had to be the harder than running on sand! After you have managed your way back up there it is a left turn back on to the rocky road. Just around 400m until the finish.
Not suitable for all types of buggy!
My Experience of Woolacombe Dunes parkrun
As we had walked over, from Woolacombe Bay Holiday Park, we had arrived quite early as we didn’t want to be late. Our youngest son and I had done a reccy the night before so knew where we were going. This meant that there was plenty of time to go to the toilet, take photos, and generally have a chat.
Briefings
The first timers briefing was done in the carpark (with an explanation of the course, first timer ever, tourists, etc) before us moving to the start. Then a main briefing was held and we were off. Slowly.
Even though 200 people on a wide path doesn’t sound a lot it felt like it. Not sure how quickly the bottle neck was causing an issues. As I was in my Vibrams and the road was rocky I was in no hurry to race off.
Down the Slope of Hope
Soon enough though I was going down the steep hill thinking about how hard the return up it would be. Just then our eighteen year old was just beside me saying how fun going back up was going to be! He stayed with me a while but then disappeared.
Sandy bits
Next I saw that I had caught up with the youngest son. Not sure how long I managed to keep up with him but when we got down to the beach I could tell he didn’t want me to get ahead.
On the sand was strange. I could see just so many people ahead of me, forever in the distance. Running didn’t feel that hard (the weather was a bit damp which most likely made it easier). However, when I looked at my watch I was indeed running slower than usual.
Walking the Dune of Doom
As soon as the rocks were in sight it felt like everyone was walking. It seemed fruitless to even try running. Although it still didn’t seem as bad as all the videos. Again maybe the weather helped. Or perhaps I was far enough back that everyone had made nice steps in the sand.
Up the Slope of Hope
By the time I reached the Slope of Hope I just knew I wasn’t going to attempt running it. Personally I think it was the toughest part of the course.
My Finish at Woolacombe Dunes parkrun
As I approached the finish I told a lady who was catching me up not to worry as I would need to slow down due to the rocks underfoot hurting in my barefoot shoes. Although said eighteen year old had finished and was then encouraging me to race and beat his little brother.
A very comical trying to sprint whilst saying ouch, ouch, the rocks then ensued. Very proud to say that my youngest son did not let me beat him, and I finished right behind him!
Many thanks to Ian who was staying at our holiday camp and gave us a lift back up!
Stats for Event 342 at Woolacombe Dunes parkrun
200 finishers were at Woolacombe Dunes parkrun event 342. Not sure how quickly they finished as first place went unknown. However second did it in 21:59. The tail finished in 1:03:25.
- First lady in 26:01 (SW18-19) although not her PB for the course.
- Highest age grading (66.10%) went to VW55-59 in a time of 27:23.
- With the highest male age grading (65.11%) going to VM50-54 in a time of 23:13.
Well done to the 8 people who thought that Woolacombe Dunes parkrun was the place to try their very first parkrun!
There were a further 82 tourists
Also to the 26 people who not only returned for more but got a PB.
Finishing Times
- 198 people finished within an hour
- 168 less than 40 minutes
- 131 under 35 minutes (which includes all 4 members of my family who ran)
- 88 managed a sub 31
- 75 a sub 30
- Our son finished 65th and was the last of the sub 29s
- 42 sub 28
- 24 sub 26
- 18 sub 25
- 9 sub 24
- 5 sub 23
- 2 sub 22 (including the unknown)
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