We have started to do a bit more parkrun tourism and therefore adding reviews to the site. Thought it may be a good idea to add them all to one page. Parkrun Reviews by a Jeffer because there’s not often that I am not Jeffing parkrun.
Is Jeffing Allowed at parkrun?
The short answer is YES Jeffing is allowed at parkrun.
Parkrun is evolving all the time. They want it to be an inclusive community. Also, of course, it is not a race!
“parkrun is positive, welcoming and inclusive, there is no time limit and no one finishes last. Everyone is welcome to come along.”
Changes to parkrun
In fact changes have been made to parkrun to make it feel more inclusive. Such as the tailrunner changing to a tailwalker, the introduction of parkwalkers and the removal of certain stats so it doesn’t feel as intimidating.
Why Someone May Be a Jeffer at parkrun
Personal experience means that I do not believe everyone fully appreciates why someone would be a Jeffer at parkrun. Or even what that may look like.
It may be because that person isn’t able to run the whole thing. This may be due to them being new to running.
But Jeffers have run all sorts of distances. Most who call themselves so are doing it because they have decided that this technique is what is best for them. In fact the term Jeffing is named after Jeff Galloway a competitive athlete.
Things to consider as a Jeffer at parkrun
As I say Jeffing is a technique. Although possibly a misconception you do not stop and walk. What happens is you glide between faster walking and slower running. There are drills you can practice for this.
Obviously it is best to:
- keep to one side
- be mindful of where other people are in relation to you – look over your shoulder before transitioning
- warn people if needs be – personally I have a watch with Jeffing intervals – which makes noises that alert others (too)
- be prepared to keep going or run faster to pull back into gaps
- likewise going slower because it isn’t appropriate to overtake someone/not overtaking because you know you are about to transition back to a walk.
Parkrun Reviews as a Jeffer
As I say not all parkrun are as easy as others for a Jeffer. Not without potentially upsetting people. Obviously anyone could be running and needing to slow down but as a Jeffer people may wrongly assuming you are going too fast. They may also assume you should be “slow” and feel you need to start nearer the back,
Some parkrun courses are ideal for a Jeffer being on big open spaces, other not so. I write about my parkrun experiences to help others and remind myself should we wish to return.
Listed alphabetically for ease are my parkrun reviews by a Jeffer – although some of them I did not Jeff!:
- Arrow Valley parkrun, Worcestershire
- On tarmac path, with some inclines
- Aston Hall, Birmingham
- mix of path, grass and trail.
- Babbs Mill parkun, Birmingham/North Solihull
- Flat, normal shoes.
- Berkeley Green parkrun, Gloucestershire
- Flat, normal shoes.
- Brunswick Park – West Midlands. Alternative course road shoes.
- Cardiff parkrun, New Year’s Day
- alternative course road shoes
- Cheltenham parkrun, Gloucestershire
- Christmas Day Summer and Winter courses
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- Summer shoes for grass and bit hilly. Winter normal shoes and flat.
- Cycle Route 43, Ystalyfera parkrun, Swansea, Wales
- Road shoes
- Dudley parkrun, West Midlands.
- Be prepared to get dirty. Trail shoes most likely but there is track running too.
- Evesham parkrun, Worcestershire
- On grass, flat
- Forest of Dean parkrun, Gloucestershire
- forest – trail
- Gloucester City parkrun, Gloucestershire
- On path, flat (trainers may get dirty if going onto the grass to overtake)
- Gloucester North parkrun, Gloucestershire
- On grass, flat
- Grangemoor parkrun, Cardiff, Wales
- Path, Road shoes
- Hereford
- King George V Playing Field, Cheltenham parkrun
- trail shoes ideally especially when wet currently
- Kingsway parkrun, Gloucester
- path and grass
- Lydiard parkrun
- Newent, Gloucestershire
- trails
- Oaklands parkrun, Birmingham
- road shoes
- Rogiet parkrun, Wales
- road shoes
- Ross-on-Wye parkrun, Herefordshire
- On grass, flat
- Severn Bridge parkrun, Chepstow
- concrete path, flat
- Stonehouse parkrun, Stroud, Gloucestershire
- Mostly on grass, flat
- Stratford Park parkrun, Stroud, Gloucestershire
- On grass, hilly
- Tetbuy Goods Shed parkrun, Gloucestershire
- advised trails
- Tewkesbury parkrun, Gloucestershire
- On grass, mostly flat
- Three Brooks parkrun, Bristol
- road shoes
- University Parks parkrun, Oxfordshire
- On path
- Victoria Dock parkrun, London
- path, road shoes
- Wakehurst parkrun, Sussex
- path, road shoes
- Worcester parkrun, Worcestershire
- Mix of path, grass and woodland. Mix of flat with slight inclines
- Quakers Walk parkrun,Wiltshire
- Path, flat
- Y Promenâd, South Wales
- Yarborough Leisure Centre parkrun, Lincoln
- flat, road shoes
More parkrun tourism review posts will be added as we go along. If you ever see me at parkun please do come and say hello. You can usually find me where Tikiboo clothing or my new Flanci moo-ve it skort!