Westminster Mile 2013

When I signed up for this race I was in the middle of an 3 month injury to my foot and didn't know if I'd actually make it to the start line.

pre-race

Fortune had it that I did make it to the start line, but after the lay off I was not in as good condition as I would have liked to have been. During the sign up process the website asked for a predicted finish time, so I optimistcally put down 7 minutes.

About a week before the race I received my pack which contained a guide to the day, my race number, my timing chip and a baggage tag in case I wanted to leave my bag in the bag drop area while I raced.

Buckingham Palace

The course starts halfway along The Mall and takes you around the outside of St. James's Park until you reach the finish line just outside Buckingham Palace. It's about 3/4 of a lap of the park.

Green park is used as the main area for all race related stuff such as the changing areas, toilets, information tent, water stations, etc etc.. There are plenty of spaces for supporters to watch the races but most tend to gather just outside Buckingham Palace near the finish line, which creates a really good atmosphere as you round the final corner.

My supporters (including mobot attempt)

Everything is very well organised, all you need to do is be in the right place at the right time, wearing your number and timing chip that were sent and the rest takes care of itself.

My race number had me in the blue C starting wave, which meant that I had to be in the C start area in time for a 10am start. Small, individual races are run throughout the whole morning and set out at around 5-10 minute intervals.

The start

I had never raced one mile before so had no idea how exactly would be best to run it. I decided to just run and if I got it wrong it would be a good lesson for next time.

As we set off down The Mall I felt good, but pretty soon after turning the corner into Horse Guards Road I had a sense that I should have started a tiny bit slower. Still I pressed on and before I knew it I was passing the 800 metre point (also known as 'half-way'), I glanced at my stopwatch and it said 3.15 - On target for a 6.30 finish time.

My last few agonising metres

Once you turn the next corner onto Birdcage Walk there are markers every 200 metres, plus a 100 metre marker just before you turn the corner into the final straight. I'll be honest and say that during the second half of this race I was complete agony and did not enjoy it all at. I just wanted to stop. Maybe that's just what one mile races are supposed to feel like.

Post race hugs

Upon reaching the finish straight I had nothing left in me and couldn't sprint across the line, I just tried to maintain my pace as best I could. Looking down at, and stopping, my stopwatch as I crossed the line I was surprised to see that it reported my finish time as 6.10.

Once my timing chip had been removed I followed the road around to the goody bag and medal distribution point and then exited back into Green Park before heading off to find my supporters.



You have to have the medal (and stopwatch) shot!

I'd definitely be interested in signing up for next year's race to hopefully try to better my time, and in a shock piece of the news the wife also said that she quite fancied signing up too.

Later on that evening the results appeared online and gave me an official time of 6.14 - My result

(31 May) EDIT: An interesting point to note is that a few people have commented on Westminster Mile's facebook page that their own timings were 3-4 seconds faster than the official published times, which seems to point towards my own timing being correct.

Gunnersbury parkrun

As Gunnersbury parkrun is only 13km's (15km's when you add the diversions that I had to take) away from where I'm living at the moment I thought it would be a good choice of venue to cycle to. Before I did I wanted to check that there would be a safe place to leave my bike. However, I could not find any information about bicycle racks at Gunnersbury park online - not a huge issue because parks are always going to have fences that can be used, but anyway for anyone looking for cycle parking information I now have it right here for you...

Option 1: You can leave it on the grass at the start/finish. There were about 12 bikes left here but I felt a little nervous at using this option.
Option 2: There are fences all over the park, but the closest is the one that surrounds the playground near the start/finish (I went for this option).
Option 3: There are cycle racks about 200 metres south of the start line, roughly in the centre of the park.
Option 4: There are a few more cycle racks and another playground with a fence at the cafe in the park. (not quite as close to the start/finish but good if you're going to the cafe afterwards).

The start of the run is on the grass adjacent to the car park so is pretty convenient for those that arrive by car. The park was being used by lots of football teams for training, and there were a few walkers (but no dog related problems as far as I could see).

There are toilets somewhere near the start but as I didn't use them I can't tell you what they were like. Tarmac makes up about 90% of the surface but the beginning, middle and end are on the grass start/finish area. It's an undulating course, but fairly gentle.

The route has been very well thought out and gives you the opportunity to explore the whole of the park. Firstly you'll head slightly downhill along the central avenue of the park where at the end you'll turn right, pass the Potomac (fish pond) and follow the path around the perimeter of the western half - to give you an idea of size, this half houses 36 football pitches. The path takes you on a long gentle incline and will wear you down if you don't manage your pace. At the end of this half you'll hit the half-way point (complete with half-way timer) and then go back through the start line.

About 80 metres after crossing the the start line for the second time, you'll swing a left and start to explore to eastern side of the park. Here you'll pass the stunning round pond, the cafe, miniature golf course and the mansion (which is the home to the Gunnersbury park museum). The paths meander more in this half of the park and is prettier than the the west side. There are still ups and downs as you progress through this side, and the very last section has you running back towards the start/finish area in the opposite direction that you ran at the start (which means it's uphill).

It is definitely worth mentioning the condition of the tarmac paths. They are not quite as smooth as they once would have been and are clearly due for some maintenance. Saying that, as long as you keep an eye on where you are running you should be fine. The condition of the paths is a sign that this wonderful park has been neglected and as such some of the magnificent buildings are on the English Heritage at risk register, which really is a shame because our parks deserve to be preserved for us and future generations to enjoy.

Fortunately the neglected parts do not spoil the overall parkrun experience. It regularly attracts over 200 runners (exactly 200 on the day I visited) and after my visit I can really see why they come here. For the record, despite the bad condition of the tarmac this course would be fine, but perhaps a little bumpy, for a spot of buggy running. The volunteers are spectacular and I thank you all for making me feel so welcome.

Greenwich parkrun

Please note an updated blog from July 2022 is now available: Greenwich parkrun (2022 update)

Greenwich parkrun is in Eltham, which is in the Royal Borough of Greenwich but nowhere near the place most people know as Greenwich. I've always wondered if it could have been named better (Eltham parkrun, or even Avery Hill parkrun). Anyway, that doesn't really matter because when you set foot in Avery Hill Park you will forget what the parkrun is called and just wonder why you've never been there before.

One of the first features you'll notice is the Victorian mansion which sits proudly at the highest point of the park, then you notice the extremely well-kept grass, trees and hedges. There is a cafe, which houses the toilets (note: one shared male/female toilet and one disabled-friendly toilet - so you may have to queue).

Next to the cafe is a small childrens' playground where we spent some time in beforehand and which almost convinced the toddler to abandon her buggy run. Next to this is an outdoor gym - very convenient if you fancy an extended workout. Before the run started I listened in to the first-timers' briefing which was very informative if you're unsure as to what this parkrun thing is all about. There was also an invite to join the team in the cafe afterwards - which unfortunately we couldn't do as we had to be in Dartford by just after 10am.

We travelled by car and parked in one of two decent sized car parks just inside the entrance of the park. The car park is free at weekends but you do have to pay during the week. Had I cycled I would have been able to secure my bike to one of the four bicycle racks outside the cafe. Falconwood are New Eltham are the closest train stations.

The route of the parkrun has you running three identical laps (not the full perimeter) around the park. About 75% of the course is on grass and the rest on a tarmac path. If I were to describe the lap it would be like this - Slightly uphill to start, then very gently undulating or flat until you reach the latter part of the lap where you have a longer incline on the tarmac path, then you switch back to grass and continue to climb before negotiating a short sharp drop - which the toddler loved - back down to the starting point. On the last lap you swing left at the bottom of this section and give it all you've got until you reach the finish line.

If you are buggy running (I use a baby jogger 2) here you'll find certain sections are a little bumpy for the occupant of the buggy - EDIT: Since I ran here the bumpiest section has been turned into a real tarmac path.

I re-visited this course on Christmas Day 2016 - the blog can be found here Greenwich parkrun 363

(thanks to Mrs7t for the photos)

Brockwell parkrun

PLEASE NOTE: There is a newer write-up for this venue. It can be found via the link below:

Brockwell parkrun (2023 write-up)

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Original 2013 post below:

Despite growing up not too far away from Brockwell park, I had only ever set foot in it once before and that was to visit the lido (a grade 2 listed building), which didn't involve me venturing that far inside the gates of the park. So I was quite excited to finally be heading towards the park find out what it has to offer.

If I had been alone I would have cycled to this venue, but when our plans for the rest of the day grew out of control I decided the best way to travel was by car. The ladies hadn't accompanied me to a parkrun for a few months so I thought it would be nice for the toddler to join me for a buggy run in the baby jogger 2.

Car parking is available on the road adjacent to the park, outside the lido (Dulwich Road) and is free on Saturdays. If you decide to travel by bicycle, there are quite a few spaces in the cycle racks next to the lido/start line (see photo below). Herne Hill station is the closest you'll get by train, or you could take the tube to Brixton but it's a bit of a walk - however it would probably serve as a nice warmup.

As we entered the park the majority of the marshals and runners were huddled together outside the lido - the reason for the huddle was that it was gently raining. After the pre-run announcements, just as we were all making our way to the start line, the rain suddenly got much heavier.

It's worth noting that if you have a bag or any items that you are not going to run with you can drop them near the finish line and then make your way to the start line. As the run got underway, the parkrun weather fairies jumped into action by stopping the rain and pushing those clouds aside to let the glorious sunshine take its place!

The course is of the undulating variety and is all on tarmac apart from the last few metres where you are diverted onto the grass to the finish funnel. It's run over two laps, but the laps are not identical - The first lap is slightly longer than the second and follows the path around the perimeter of the park.

As you start the second lap you are directed onto a path that cuts through the park, which is where you'll negotiate the steepest of the undulations before joining up with the perimeter path once again.

As I've been out injured for what seems like forever, today was never going to be about finishing time and I'm really glad that I took the time to take in the sights and I'm even gladder that I took the toddler with me for the run. It is quite difficult to run up a hill and make conversation with her at the same time, but somehow that's what she had me doing - I reckon it's probably quite a good training technique.

After crossing the finish line we joined one of the two orderly lines to have our finish token scanned before having a chat with the only other buggy runner from the day's event.

The park really is quite lovely. The rolling landscape and the thick, plush covering of beautifully green grass made it a delight to run. At the highest points you can see across into the City of London with the Gherkin and the Shard both being clearly visible.

In addition to the lido, you'll also find three ponds, a miniature railway, a really good playground, children's paddling pool, a BMX track, tennis courts, basketball/volleyball court, football pitches, a walled garden, and the historic Brockwell Hall.

Brockwell parkrun is well worth a visit. If you do so in the summer I imagine it would be a great location to spend the whole day, which I've made a note to do when the real summer arrives.

The photos were taken by Mrs7t, who never complains (to me at least) about being dragged out of bed early to stand in the rain while I run - thank you!