Parkrun
- Details
- Category: Leagues
Arrows at Parkrun
parkrun is a timed 5k run that takes place at 9 O'clock every Saturday morning across a large number of venues in the UK, and some overseas. It’s for all levels of runners from brand new beginners to those wanting to improve their sprints. It’s absolutely free, just turn up and run ….. but if you register online at parkrun.org.uk you can get a bar code that gets scanned each time you run and you build up a table of your own personal results (your one personal bar code works at all parkruns, even those overseas).
One thing that all parkruns have in common is that they are fun and all involved are really friendly and welcoming to all runners.
There are a number of venues close to Harpenden, the nearest and most popular ones are St Albans Parkrun which usually attracts around 400-500 runners with 5-15 arrows turning up, and Luton Wardown which is slightly smaller and perhaps more accessible. Panshanger (near to Hertford) and Gadebridge in Hemel Hempstead, Haughton Hall and Dunstable are all close too.
parkruns have varying terrains, but St Albans and Luton are very similar. Both are pretty flat and involve running three times around a lake in a park on tarmac, so very good underfoot and both offer PB possibilities. (Webmaster - St Albans modified route is now all grass with a couple of hills!) Panshanger is very different. It is off-road and more akin to a cross-country with plenty of mud on wet days. It is a single 5k lap, once again, around a lake with some small hills.
There are hundreds of parkruns in parks around the UK, so if you are away on a Saturday check out the parkrun website to search for a parkrun near to you.
Article by JOHN ROWLANDS
(And this video by John Rowlands too!)