I thought it would be a good idea for me to make a clear page about parkrun for anyone coming to my blog that was new to it. But also to make what I have written easier to find too!
What is parkrun?
Parkrun – with a little p – started off as a 5k (3.11 miles) time trail in Bushy Park in London. Founded by Paul Sinton-Hewitt on 2nd October 2004.
It has since evolved into much more of a community event – free for all. All though it is still a timed event it has a clear message that parkrun is not a race. Many people were saddened by the removal of a lot of stats – and there’s a campaign to Bring Back the Stats.
You can walk, jog, Jeff, run, volunteer or spectate every Saturday. If you do any of those, apart from spectating, you can gain a credit on your account. You can also record “freedom runs” by running when parkrun isn’t actually on!
Parkrun Events
New events are starting all the time (and unfortunately closing too, such as in France). Currently parkrun happens at over 2,000 locations across 23 countries and 5 continents.
On this blog, and various other places, people go to new events and either write or film about them – in order to help the wider community. Plus the courses are not only very different but it isn’t always the same course at the same venue (these are called the alternative courses – or sometimes Summer and Winter).
How to Join in with parkrun?
Parkrun is for everyone – from elite athletes through to those who need support to walk. Some events have guides for the visually impaired. If you have any questions or require help then reach out to the core team. There are a number of ways on social media or you can e-mail them. Each event also has a parkrun website page – with information about the course and facilities.
Making an Account
You could just actually turn up and join in. However, then you will not receive a credit unless you have signed up. This is free and simple to do. Likewise you do not need to complete the full course, but are asked not to cross the finish line unless you have. Again no time will be recorded.
Parkrun Barcode
Next you will receive a barcode. When we started it was a piece of paper and you had to have it with you. Now there’s a number of ways to show your barcode. We have bought parkrun bracelets because they have in case of emergency details on. We felt this was especially important for the children the more we did tourism and they were not know to the volunteers and other participants.
No barcode no time is the rule. But these days someone else can most likely call up your barcode either from the parkrun website or via one of the unofficial apps.
The parkrun account records lots of information – such as all the events you have visited (you can opt for not scanning and go as “unknown”); and your times and age grading. You can then achieve milestones – both for participating and volunteering.
Pacers and Self-Seeding
Some events have pacers (this can be weekly or certain times of the month, or even randomly). These are good for helping people achieve their own personal time goal targets. But also they are good at helping self-seeding. That is that people start nearer the front depending on how fast they think that they may run (and finish).
Whether there are pacers or not, some parkruns have markers to indicate roughly where to stand to start – depending on your predict finish time.
How to parkrun
Arrival time
It is a good idea to arrive early if it is a new event. Giving yourself time to arrive and find the first timers briefing. All the events I have done start at 9am on a Saturday morning and we like to park by 8:30am. Different countries have other start times however, so do check before you leave!
If you are volunteering you may need to arrive earlier than this – but you should receive an e-mail with instructions.
Participating at parkrun
There will be a run briefing telling you important information and then a 3, 2, 1, GO! From that moment the timers start.
What happens then is you going round the course and at the very end you will go down a “finish funnel.” When you have crossed the line the time keeper will record your time. It is then very important to stay in order. Sometimes there are multiple finish funnels but someone will guide you where to go.
Next you will be given a parkrun token. Then you take your barcode and the token to a scanner (this is a person with usually a phone and bucket). Basically they match up the barcode (which identifies you) with the token (which identifies the finishing time).
You will never be last as there’s a Tail Walker who makes sure everyone has safely completed the course. They can also help you if encouragement is required. Plus there’s parkwalkers – who are ahead of the tailwalker but are there to support, and demonstrate that it is perfectly acceptable to walk.
The Results
Then some magic happens (thanks to the volunteers) and a list is produced with the order everyone finishes. You will get a time and an age grading. It is possible to see if you have run at that event quicker than before – and also if you have run quicker than any other time you have done parkrun PBs (personal bests).
Children and parkrun
Children have to be over 4 years old to receive a time, must not be carried, and if under 11 be within arm’s reach of an adult. Some courses allow pushchairs – however, not all are suitable – especially if it is a double (side-by-side).
There’s also a shorter version (2km) for 4-14 year olds on a Sunday called parkrun Junior. When we started doing the 5k version it was questioned whether children should do parkrun?
Parkrun Tourism
When we started we visited our “home parkrun” (this is the one in which you are registered at) many times before venturing out. Some people may never do any parkrun tourism, whilst others never visit the same event twice.
Parkrun tourism feels like it is growing all the time. There are various Facebook groups and Apps for it. See Parkrun Tourism Stats and Challenges.
The community is great and I feel really helping people with their mental health. Lots of people like to find the parkrun sign for that event and get their picture taken next to it.
There are all manner of challenges and trips organised. Plus just generally ways to help each other out and the community to grow. For example one parkrun, South Beach in Australia, has sent out 10 Boomerangs and they are travelling around the world finding out all about the people and places that they go to. Read more about my adventure with 10 Boomerangs JB9.
I hope that all makes sense. Any questions just ask. Have I forgotten anything?
Big thanks to Sarah for introducing myself and my family to parkrun. It has made such a positive impact on our lives. You read about her first parkrun here.