{"id":34248,"date":"2025-05-17T20:51:11","date_gmt":"2025-05-17T19:51:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/blog\/?p=34248"},"modified":"2025-05-18T21:05:43","modified_gmt":"2025-05-18T20:05:43","slug":"cannon-hill-parkrun-666-a-bit-of-a-devil","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/blog\/2025\/05\/17\/cannon-hill-parkrun-666-a-bit-of-a-devil\/","title":{"rendered":"Cannon Hill parkrun – 666 A Bit of a Devil"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We headed to Cannon Hill parkrun<\/a> for event 666. When I say we, it was just myself and my husband. Finally completing a 666 event. Originally I had wanted to head to Forest of Dean, but broke my foot! Next I planned Leamington\u2019s 666, but my husband was ill and I really don\u2019t like driving!<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Cannon<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Cannon Hill Park, near Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham, West Midlands, B12 9QH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

About Event 666<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cannon Hill parkrun is really scenic. However, I didn\u2019t take any of it in on the run! Thank you to the Birmingham Swifts Running Club for their takeover today. They are a free, LGBTQ+ running group open to everyone no matter the ability, age, sexuality or gender.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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\"LGBTQ+<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Pride flags and capes everywhere. Additionally the briefing mentioned all about Pride and how parkrun was inclusive of everyone. Birmingham Pride<\/a> is next weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, they even provided pacers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Facilities at Cannon Hill parkrun<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Firstly I was aware that there wasn\u2019t any open toilets available before parkrun. The toilets are open at the MAC at 9am, and also the Tea Rooms for paying customers. Actually to be honest we just headed straight for the nearest McDonald\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are two car parks mentioned on the Cannon Hill parkrun page. These are MAC car park (B12 9QH) and the Russell Road (B13 8RD) car park. You can pay by phone or cash and it is recommended to have both options available.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Queens<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Additionally there is the Queens Ride South Car Park. This is \u00a32.50 up to 2 hours. However, charges do not apply to Blue Badge Holders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Course at Cannon Hill parkrun<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Note that Cannon Hill parkrun is a no dogs course and it\u2019s not suitable for double pushchairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First head to the Bandstand. That\u2019s is where the briefings take place and then move on to the path for the start. Really it\u2019s ONE lap! But for explanations they call it three – because it\u2019s in 3 parts, and bits cross over themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Cannon<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Follow<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Starting with an anti-clockwise direction to the Tea Rooms. Of course you can read the description on the Cannon Hill parkrun page, but honestly follow the people in front. Having done it and looked at my Strava I still couldn\u2019t explain it! Also obviously they do describe it in the first timers briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Cannon<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

What I will say is that it isn\u2019t FLAT! Pretty sure it was described as a flat fast course with a bit of an incline at the end. Yes there\u2019s a hill at the end – but it isn\u2019t the only place!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep Right<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There is an out-and-back as part of the course and therefore we were told to keep right. At one point I was right but the tail walker and participants were on my side! At least they were all on one side so I could go round them!<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Cannon<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Finishing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

So when you\u2019re near the end and you\u2019ve run up a hill then please keep in mind that this is probably not the slight incline they refer to! I took a photo at the bottom but it doesn\u2019t do it justice. As you go up it you can see the cones to guide you to the finish. This felt like it went on for forever.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"finish<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Once you pass the finish you will be asked to stay in order. The finish funnel was really long, bending back on itself. At other parkruns we have been to, they utilise more than one funnel so this was quite something else. All very well organised.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"one<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Scanned<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Finally you are scanned behind the Bandstand and you pop your number in the pot with the corresponding number of your finish position.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"some<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Stats at Cannon Hill parkrun Event 666<\/h2>\n\n\n\n