tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87786712733589836522024-03-19T08:47:42.283+00:00blog7tcopy7thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07869260780729697873noreply@blogger.comBlogger765125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8778671273358983652.post-31223625967755233922024-03-11T19:04:00.004+00:002024-03-14T06:11:16.768+00:00Oak Hill parkrunEast Barnet is an area in the <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-london-parkruns.html" target="_blank">London</a> Borough of Barnet, in north <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-london-parkruns.html" target="_blank">London</a>, with a population of approximately 16,000 people. The area used to sit within Hertfordshire and at one point belonged to the Abbey of St Albans. The Pymmes Brook Valley runs through East Barnet and it was very well known for the quality of the oaks that grew in the adjacent woodland, in fact, it was oaks from this valley that were used in the construction of St Albans Abbey. After King Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries in 1536, much of the abbey's land was sold off and some large country estates were created. The Monkenfrith Estate was one of these and in 1660 160 acres of land were enclosed as parkland.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-A8aGLtcf8yDWZJp2GQ9P-sCSjekj4e2dHQFpQVEmy5Xg2x5d5hj_r2FoShfN9AQlf8o-armU0ehrbQOD-tHUXtMjK_9KUQ6ldb0Rh8YBITZJFk5lS5_NAZa6OZrNgpC0ieBB9N6OcjSF1L2gwUyw9vEx4dO80CvmdGRp_WV6a8WoSspo9HZVNmlq_M/s3264/Oak%20Hill%20parkrun%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1419" data-original-width="3264" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-A8aGLtcf8yDWZJp2GQ9P-sCSjekj4e2dHQFpQVEmy5Xg2x5d5hj_r2FoShfN9AQlf8o-armU0ehrbQOD-tHUXtMjK_9KUQ6ldb0Rh8YBITZJFk5lS5_NAZa6OZrNgpC0ieBB9N6OcjSF1L2gwUyw9vEx4dO80CvmdGRp_WV6a8WoSspo9HZVNmlq_M/w640-h278/Oak%20Hill%20parkrun%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>In around 1790 the estate was renamed Oak Hill and in 1810 was bought by Sir Simon Haughton Clarke who was a fellow at the Royal Horticultural Society and apparently the seventh richest man in England at the time. He built a vinery and the estate became quite famous for the grapes and pineapples that it produced. The railway arrived in 1850, but unlike some other areas on the fringes of <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-london-parkruns.html" target="_blank">London</a>, there was no rush to build housing, and the area remained rural right up until the 1920's. The last private owner of the Oak Hill Estate passed away in 1928 and the parkland was bought by East Barnet Council in 1930.<br /><div><div><br /></div><div>In 1932 the mansion and part of the grounds became home to Oak Hill College, which is an Evangelical Theological College. The following year the rest of the grounds opened as a public park called Oak Hill Park. Adjacent, and contiguous with the park, is a 10 hectare area of ancient woodland, Oak Hill Wood, which is managed by the <a href="https://www.wildlondon.org.uk/nature-reserves/oak-hill-wood" target="_blank">London Wildlife Trust</a>. It has been a local Nature Reserve since 1997 and many of its trees are descendants of those used in the building of St Albans Abbey.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg774SCRu1JrzmNJd4zCRvI7GywixGE8a_78vmDeTgjqzMq7A3bnNCMlET36It21pyPJNz3Vzbvz5aYBSm8ashyU29ikz4HoMrwsMBvf_wvSDS5dsvZWmCaevq_FMVlT-0cJve2m0pS7e7vMIM6PybR5HFvpSJDEzWn9duOYwREC48RKStTdQ-OYRwOF2I/s3264/Oak%20Hill%20parkrun%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1419" data-original-width="3264" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg774SCRu1JrzmNJd4zCRvI7GywixGE8a_78vmDeTgjqzMq7A3bnNCMlET36It21pyPJNz3Vzbvz5aYBSm8ashyU29ikz4HoMrwsMBvf_wvSDS5dsvZWmCaevq_FMVlT-0cJve2m0pS7e7vMIM6PybR5HFvpSJDEzWn9duOYwREC48RKStTdQ-OYRwOF2I/w640-h278/Oak%20Hill%20parkrun%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The park itself is beautifully landscaped. It features a bowls green, football pitches, cricket pitch, tennis courts, outdoor gym, multi-sports court, children's play area, gardens and a cafe. However, for me, the stand-out natural feature of the park is the meandering waterway called Pymmes Brook. This is enhanced by the Weeping Willow trees that grow along its banks and make it very picturesque.</div><div><br /></div><div>On 27 August 2011 the park became home to <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/oakhill/" target="_blank">Oak Hill parkrun</a>. This is a free, weekly, timed 5km event which takes place on Saturday mornings at 9am. It is open to all abilities including wheelchair users and those who wish to walk. I <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2013/07/oak-hill-parkrun.html" target="_blank">first visited this event</a> on 6 July 2013 and took part in event 96. This write-up is from my second visit which was on 9 March 2024 at event number 589.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIUu8zxOywh4PsjTVSPDmZJr6wGimgcoxDoZqzmoP06CuQKq4LljWxemhsQ97fX66IjGyT7BhwmG-0v7tsH9gcVIDFtFv024wN5uwbiFe6EOV6H4x1g5KYt2JRnM7TDMLgCoLAQrgMpH0exUr0I-uVlbVjQ2VdwMdUUW2NQh3mepXhCdyDkhstckupDs/s3264/Oak%20Hill%20parkrun%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1419" data-original-width="3264" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIUu8zxOywh4PsjTVSPDmZJr6wGimgcoxDoZqzmoP06CuQKq4LljWxemhsQ97fX66IjGyT7BhwmG-0v7tsH9gcVIDFtFv024wN5uwbiFe6EOV6H4x1g5KYt2JRnM7TDMLgCoLAQrgMpH0exUr0I-uVlbVjQ2VdwMdUUW2NQh3mepXhCdyDkhstckupDs/w640-h278/Oak%20Hill%20parkrun%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Being in London it is pretty well connected transport-wise. The 184 and 382 buses both stop on the roads alongside the park. If travelling by National Rail, Oakleigh Park is the best station to head for, and is just 1 kilometre away from the park. It is served by Great Northern Railway trains from King's Cross and Moorgate through north London and onwards towards Welwyn Garden City. If using the London Underground, taking the Piccadilly line to Southgate station or the northern line to Totteridge and Whetstone would be the options. Please note they are both around 2.5 kilometres (1.5 miles) from the park. Cyclists can secure their bikes to the cycle racks next to the cafe or to one of the fences near the parkrun meeting area.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is a free-of-charge onsite car park located at the south-east corner of the park. It can hold about 55 vehicles and this includes the spaces for blue badge holders. It is very likely that the car park will be full shortly before the parkrun starts, so if looking for an alternative place to park, most of the nearby side streets are restriction-free and can be used. I'd just note that many of the houses have driveways, so this does reduce the amount of space available for on-street parking. The only specific request on the parkrun page is that attendees should not park on Parkside Gardens, East Walk or West Walk. There is an additional car park on Osidge Lane.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAkkBlXRGinSv_xfsMcWvSiQgcZWJP9_yZjv76pyowWWX0sB-uyRFlsikm6XAPCW4UTeuzK4dzkwaB_QEUhK5SVhHy4IE5VItU4QCFkPqK4UuCuEZ7yNXjbM-vT-dplvti4l-o2Aan7nTuyyLBzkSiIYeew8_1uQ2qPtxcb4GIin6VPwkAO-RlYGIvf-Q/s3264/Oak%20Hill%20parkrun%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1419" data-original-width="3264" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAkkBlXRGinSv_xfsMcWvSiQgcZWJP9_yZjv76pyowWWX0sB-uyRFlsikm6XAPCW4UTeuzK4dzkwaB_QEUhK5SVhHy4IE5VItU4QCFkPqK4UuCuEZ7yNXjbM-vT-dplvti4l-o2Aan7nTuyyLBzkSiIYeew8_1uQ2qPtxcb4GIin6VPwkAO-RlYGIvf-Q/w640-h278/Oak%20Hill%20parkrun%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Once in the park, the parkrun meeting point can be found towards the southern end, in the small area in-between the tennis courts, bowls green, outdoor gym and the children's playground. It's also quite close to the car park. Should you feel the call of nature, there are on-site toilets located on the side of the cafe building which is just a minute or two away from the meeting point. The toilets should be open at around 8am, which is also the time the cafe opens. The first timer and main briefings are held in this area, and once completed the participants are led along the path to the start line.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>The parkrun takes place over a two-and-three-quarter lap course, with the surface underfoot being 100% tarmac except for the finish line which is on grass. Those pushing buggies and wheelchair users should be fine at this event, but please note the next section... Given the name of this park, it will be of no surprise that this is not a flat course. If taking part on the <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10921523613" target="_blank">standard course</a> it's not quite as hilly as it could be where the elevation change over the 5k coming out at 31 metres on my GPS readings. If you happen to visit on a day where the <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10939353713" target="_blank">B course</a> is being used, then you will find things considerably hillier with the GPS data that I have showing the elevation change being around twice as much. My understanding is that the B course would usually be called into action if the path alongside Pymmes Brook becomes flooded/waterlogged.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmGLb3WwKKCJajndA3Qz_t7oy2CM2d6ELvokO1ruSs9nBOw2SoIRwQLV99o48IfejxvGQcmEieZbydVIUX5xhYRE6kzV7eYSdeVnDiM5rw6Cfy5t0VVPIgO8rTwfXqZVy2k3deNltKCmipNfIVl_LVRhCG4alcMAKs23IR6b0pEQpPDKe4rBdd9yhP6A/s3264/Oak%20Hill%20parkrun%205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1419" data-original-width="3264" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmGLb3WwKKCJajndA3Qz_t7oy2CM2d6ELvokO1ruSs9nBOw2SoIRwQLV99o48IfejxvGQcmEieZbydVIUX5xhYRE6kzV7eYSdeVnDiM5rw6Cfy5t0VVPIgO8rTwfXqZVy2k3deNltKCmipNfIVl_LVRhCG4alcMAKs23IR6b0pEQpPDKe4rBdd9yhP6A/w640-h278/Oak%20Hill%20parkrun%205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The course description below is for the standard course (please note there is a totally different starting point for the B course, which is 3-and-bit-laps - also a <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10939353713" target="_blank">new B course</a> was introduced in early 2024). The parkrun starts on the tarmac path (part of the Pymmes Brook Trail) which runs alongside Pymmes Brook and is about 400 metres away from the meeting and briefing area, but as mentioned above, everyone walks down to the start together so if you are a first-timer here, just follow the crowd. The initial section involves heading along this path to the north-west. There is a quick left-then-right turn as the route crosses the brook after about 200 metres. The course then follows the path, which rises ever-so-slightly in elevation, all the way to the north west tip of the park where there is a marshal and a sharp left hand turn.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now heading to the south alongside Church Hill Road, the route undulates gently, first with a gentle dip which is followed by another very gentle incline. Upon reaching the next marshal point, there is another chicane-style junction to negotiate, and after the quick left-then-right the course emerges onto a narrower path with quite a pronounced camber. This section of the park overlooks the football fields where the Pymmes Brook, Weeping Willows and the start area can be seen. A bit further in the distance is Oak Hill Wood, and if you are lucky you may even catch a glimpse of the former estate's white mansion nestled on the hillside. This path is where you will find the steepest of the inclines, but even that is not overly steep or long, the maximum incline reported on my GPS data was 3.7%.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-BrNdlPV8gqkQAW4rTndD3a7PHNndRmElU7JBpp_ODWafFur87H6HhK029vIVWuk7j8f_ms8q_0jyb7kOOun3itY4ns7EXdVSGiak2s-idMr-UUjQwpitSRvxupblCqQTGjWIP0ZkgCoDifWb0Jsc1DziyR0loDLMZr8q5kslyJObFv8DHwl5PnozU4/s3264/Oak%20Hill%20parkrun%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2066" data-original-width="3264" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-BrNdlPV8gqkQAW4rTndD3a7PHNndRmElU7JBpp_ODWafFur87H6HhK029vIVWuk7j8f_ms8q_0jyb7kOOun3itY4ns7EXdVSGiak2s-idMr-UUjQwpitSRvxupblCqQTGjWIP0ZkgCoDifWb0Jsc1DziyR0loDLMZr8q5kslyJObFv8DHwl5PnozU4/w640-h406/Oak%20Hill%20parkrun%206.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>This path also features the highest point of the course, and from there it is, of course, all downhill. The route passes the playground, meeting point, and the finish line and crosses another bridge where the course rejoins the Pymmes Brook Trail and follows the course of the river until reaching the start point. The full lap is 1.8 kilometres in length, and from this point it is just a case of following the same paths for the second full lap and for three-quarters of the third lap, at which point you simply enter the finish funnel which is placed just off the tarmac path on the grass.</div><div><br /></div><div>It is worth noting that the almost-three-lap course means that there is plenty of interaction between participants as those towards the front reach and overtake those towards the back. While this is great, it does mean that you need to stay aware of what is happening around you, especially on the narrower sections of path.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_cuJnwZODWFzLELJG7P82niiLUPmTDBhMYUZQoX89_-OVqZ8gcd4a1wB0eAQw7dCnBZ1VYqizZQWQUomYLceq9Iu1E63qk6sDVOCUGh4Y4IqkGMdRToNbSDcVaqveymAgMn9Hag4oR9U1COJhJDxMJPTx4OBYxIVd8wN09DXT6r9ZwxRUIFs5JyL-iM/s3264/Oak%20Hill%20parkrun%207a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1656" data-original-width="3264" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_cuJnwZODWFzLELJG7P82niiLUPmTDBhMYUZQoX89_-OVqZ8gcd4a1wB0eAQw7dCnBZ1VYqizZQWQUomYLceq9Iu1E63qk6sDVOCUGh4Y4IqkGMdRToNbSDcVaqveymAgMn9Hag4oR9U1COJhJDxMJPTx4OBYxIVd8wN09DXT6r9ZwxRUIFs5JyL-iM/w640-h324/Oak%20Hill%20parkrun%207a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Barcode scanning, as you'd expect, takes place within this grass area at the finish line. Once all of the participants have completed the 5 kilometre course, the post-parkrun refreshment gathering takes place over in <a href="https://www.oakhillparkcafe.co.uk/" target="_blank">Oak Hill Park Cafe</a>. The cafe has its own <a href="https://www.oakhillparkcafe.co.uk/soft-play/" target="_blank">soft-play area</a> for very young kids, but there is a fee to use it. I went to the cafe on my first visit, but didn't go on my second visit as we had other plans, so I can't comment on the quality. However, it serves everything you would expect including full breakfasts. They also specialise in Polish dishes, so that may be worth investigating if visiting. There is also a 'pay and play' <a href="https://www.oakhillgolf.co.uk/" target="_blank">golf course</a> in the park which has a kiosk that sells refreshments from about 10am.</div><div><br /></div><div>As I have noted above, I have <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10921523613" target="_blank">GPS data of the standard course</a> which I recorded with my Garmin. There is also an accompanying <a href="https://youtu.be/7qw0aRiZmlc?si=RxzYtMKUj8-v0nQb" target="_blank">Relive course fly-by video</a> which can be viewed on YouTube. I also managed to get hold of a <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10939353713" target="_blank">GPS file of the new 2024 B course</a>, so I have uploaded that onto my Strava account and also created a <a href="https://youtu.be/7VBF3owZhIY?si=WGEmT1ztPbEgcja1" target="_blank">fly-by video</a> for that one too. For the record, the GPS data for the <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10930802951" target="_blank">old B course</a> is also available to view. Feel free to check them out if you are looking for some extra course information.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QYpXcBtgq8rnDES9fDFAXQH6jjJ4QylQfVz6hslpOtNstXVxBRv_4Qw7BckM4QwPndqaqd_Ipo5zlPY4phCfKJfuVa1x8hPA1COHkAQUae2Qwfmd_tbY5VRWhz1APkiPVQqvzFzGqIDMB-4SESM5kZuoArMmCLwlMLzCXfxCE1qVxPlJpnJxqgcCVk4/s3264/Oak%20Hill%20parkrun%208.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1656" data-original-width="3264" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QYpXcBtgq8rnDES9fDFAXQH6jjJ4QylQfVz6hslpOtNstXVxBRv_4Qw7BckM4QwPndqaqd_Ipo5zlPY4phCfKJfuVa1x8hPA1COHkAQUae2Qwfmd_tbY5VRWhz1APkiPVQqvzFzGqIDMB-4SESM5kZuoArMmCLwlMLzCXfxCE1qVxPlJpnJxqgcCVk4/w640-h324/Oak%20Hill%20parkrun%208.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/oakhill/results/589/" target="_blank">results</a> were published a short while later and there were 341 finishers at event 589. As a general guide, as of early 2024 the event tends to attract around 300 participants each week. It certainly has grown since my first visit, on that day in July 2013 a new attendance record was set when they had 75 participants.</div><div><br /></div><div>We had a great morning in this lovely picturesque park in East Barnet. The volunteers and locals had been extremely welcoming and a huge thanks goes to everyone involved.</div><div><br /><br /></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Related Links:</b></div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10921523613" target="_blank">Oak Hill parkrun GPS data</a> (standard course - 9 March 2024)</li><li><a href="https://youtu.be/7qw0aRiZmlc?si=RxzYtMKUj8-v0nQb" target="_blank">Oak Hill parkrun Relive course fly-by video</a> (standard course - 9 March 2024)</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10939353713" target="_blank">B course GPS data</a> (NEW B course as of 2024)</li><li><a href="https://youtu.be/7VBF3owZhIY?si=WGEmT1ztPbEgcja1" target="_blank">B course Relive course fly-by video</a> (NEW B course as of 2024)</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10930802951" target="_blank">Old B course GPS data</a> (from October 2023 - no longer used)</li><li><a href="https://youtu.be/dMt-ZvZAlCY?si=I_TscnPDSkahveE-" target="_blank">Old B course Relive course fly-by video</a> (from October 2023 - no longer used)</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-london-parkruns.html" target="_blank">The London parkrun venues</a> (blog7t page)</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2013/07/oak-hill-parkrun.html" target="_blank">Oak Hill parkrun original write-up</a> (2013)</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>copy7thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07869260780729697873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8778671273358983652.post-16206896673421014042024-03-03T20:04:00.001+00:002024-03-05T06:32:51.838+00:00Richmond parkrunRichmond is a town in the <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-london-parkruns.html">London</a> Borough of Richmond Upon Thames. The borough is notable as the only one in <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-london-parkruns.html">London</a> to encompass both sides of the River Thames and is home to just under 200,000 people with around 21,000 living within the town of Richmond itself. It is often regarded as London's greenest borough with approximately 50% of the land made up of natural green spaces. The town was previously known as Shene and the monarch had a residence called Shene Palace. The original building was purposefully destroyed by a distraught Richard II after his wife Anne of Bohemia died. The rebuilt palace was destroyed by a fire in 1497. The palace was occupied by a large number of the royal family at the time of the blaze, and most, including the 6-year-old future King Henry VIII only just made it out alive.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi1qgcSzjd06C4tV6tClCSB_xn7qHVjH4LwqV-zEVcFCTTgpweS1c4BNViXcOmwczkPXrIA5-B0bEIZn8DgPDxCRwItHZuG7h1o_MFdS_oCNW4lXAeOvskyKdkxy3ZDJSdr6f700Y3ytUas3DAWVB1t_qk6q7QJ8bQxUsF_YiAxZ9-ESGGrJdX7tBL9SA/s3264/Richmond%201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="3264" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi1qgcSzjd06C4tV6tClCSB_xn7qHVjH4LwqV-zEVcFCTTgpweS1c4BNViXcOmwczkPXrIA5-B0bEIZn8DgPDxCRwItHZuG7h1o_MFdS_oCNW4lXAeOvskyKdkxy3ZDJSdr6f700Y3ytUas3DAWVB1t_qk6q7QJ8bQxUsF_YiAxZ9-ESGGrJdX7tBL9SA/w640-h324/Richmond%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">richmond park</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>King Henry VII had a replacement built and decided to name it, and by extension the local area, after his former title the 'Earl of Richmond', whose seat was at Richmond Castle, in Yorkshire. Thus creating the Royal Manor of Richmond. A number of monarchs resided in the palace over the years and they had a deer park just next door called Newe Parke of Shene, which was formally declared a Royal hunting ground by King James I. When Charles I ascended to the throne, he decided to create a much grander enclosed deer park. After buying a lot of land and in the process upsetting a lot of the locals, it was finally completed in 1637. It was initially called the King's New Park. To avoid confusion, the original Newe Park (of Shene) was renamed <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2023/05/old-deer-park-parkrun.html" target="_blank">Old Deer Park</a> and the King's New Park eventually became Richmond Park. The name it retains to this day.</div><div><br /></div><div>Covering an area of approximately 2,500 acres, Richmond Park is the largest of London's eight Royal Parks. Full access for the public was secured by an Act of Parliament in 1872. The park features ancient woods with over 1,200 veteran oak trees (some of which would have been standing during Charles I's reign), open grass and scrub land, as well as a number of streams and around 30 ponds, the newest of which is the Attenborough Pond - named after Sir David Attenborough who is a local resident. There are many gardens including the famous Isabella Plantation. It is a National Nature Reserve, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and a Special Area of Conservation. It appears as a Grade I listing on Historic England's 'Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England'. It is said to be the quietest and, at night, the darkest place in London.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgJvL9h4RXY0s_Z5nFmJ-ot8fI98oOSUVB-d3mqZsywtTTH4Xokw5bshjrkF5CZRe9xnUMZuYhruPT4GxGK1b2Df13rNForOcmlAkz2KWhr8qP65tEmIJ3nsEyRidXjGduyp3KH0qMZxtHV-puT8OqpdJ1fmCWg96ajJuY4OrUUSlgBR7y_eFSUQRj9s/s3264/Richmond%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="3264" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgJvL9h4RXY0s_Z5nFmJ-ot8fI98oOSUVB-d3mqZsywtTTH4Xokw5bshjrkF5CZRe9xnUMZuYhruPT4GxGK1b2Df13rNForOcmlAkz2KWhr8qP65tEmIJ3nsEyRidXjGduyp3KH0qMZxtHV-puT8OqpdJ1fmCWg96ajJuY4OrUUSlgBR7y_eFSUQRj9s/w640-h324/Richmond%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">meeting point and briefing</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>It also provides habitats for a large variety of wildlife. The descendants of Charles I's herds of red and fallow deer are the most well-known of the park's natural residents, they once numbered 2,000 but are now managed to around 600. There are at least 60 species of breeding birds including woodpeckers and Ring-necked Parakeets, there are also squirrels, rabbits, frogs, toads and snakes. There are 9 species of bat and 160 species of spider, plus 400 species of fungi. One of the park's most fascinating creatures is the Stag Beetle, which thrives here due to the presence of decaying ancient timber, thus providing the larvae with perfect conditions to develop into their glorious adult form.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are many structures and buildings within the park. The boundary wall is 8 miles (13 kilometres) long and most sections have been Grade II Listed by Historic England. There are a further 10 buildings within the park that are Grade II Listed, including some of the gates and Pembroke Lodge, which is a former residential building that now hosts functions and has a restaurant and a cafe. Another is Thatched House Lodge which was General Dwight D. Eisenhower's home during the second world war, and is the residence of Princess Alexandra, cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. There is also a Grade I Listed building within the park; White Lodge. Built in 1730, it was the birthplace of Edward VIII and the future King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (The Queen Mother) lived there in the 1920s. It is now home to the Royal Ballet School.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMOsAFhJ5Ln0kkTQ-aTQDrngls201RvEsnhociLvUS5As__eJb2KevPA2Dm2uXepVmXUTK5Lv65QxssQfwSBW911m64tVVyH8KzpsP7Z18ZG4yuZjm5hNgKD5N65HPbUehqeI5c10yMN3HfDrtppd1He-Asx33e-Rnc6SiWQjWO2oGckbKfnQA8UFxWw/s3264/Richmond%203.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="3264" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMOsAFhJ5Ln0kkTQ-aTQDrngls201RvEsnhociLvUS5As__eJb2KevPA2Dm2uXepVmXUTK5Lv65QxssQfwSBW911m64tVVyH8KzpsP7Z18ZG4yuZjm5hNgKD5N65HPbUehqeI5c10yMN3HfDrtppd1He-Asx33e-Rnc6SiWQjWO2oGckbKfnQA8UFxWw/w640-h324/Richmond%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">start area</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>I've visited the park a few times and also used cut through when cycling home from volunteering at Bushy junior parkrun, but the last couple of visits were to take part in the park's free, weekly, timed 5 kilometre event called <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/richmond/" target="_blank">Richmond parkrun</a>. When it had its inaugural event on 20 October 2007, the name 'parkrun' had not been introduced, so it was first called Richmond Park Time Trial. It is the 5th oldest parkrun. An interesting fact is that Richmond was the first parkrun venue to introduce the concept of a tail runner (now tail walker).</div><div><br /></div><div>I <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2013/11/richmond-parkrun.html" target="_blank">first took part</a> in the event in November 2013 and then revisited in March 2024. The parkrun is open to all abilities including those who wish to walk or use a wheelchair to complete the course. However, with the park being so vast, it is important to know exactly where to head to when visiting, and that place is just inside Richmond Gate, which is on the northwest side of the park. For anyone unfamiliar with the park it is best to enter via Richmond Gate, this is at the top of Richmond Hill and just next to the Royal Star and Garter Home, which provides accommodation and nursing facilities for injured service personnel.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-Lp4c9jTzXeHKPQHwxaKOV42OhAQ6IWXrWYvnYCeVBthqZwK-2YiNBUH8Ns8VxhENLPTPna8qxhAPlsDxe_AJZSqG1jDNZKTAs_-SF6Tb2da7Rr63HYMhsllH04GSPFiVa3Y7L1O4FFKZaSrViNSSC9y1tRuwQJ1PmlKkw4kEiHBzl1TF-DYTk7N6hc/s3264/Richmond%204.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1348" data-original-width="3264" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-Lp4c9jTzXeHKPQHwxaKOV42OhAQ6IWXrWYvnYCeVBthqZwK-2YiNBUH8Ns8VxhENLPTPna8qxhAPlsDxe_AJZSqG1jDNZKTAs_-SF6Tb2da7Rr63HYMhsllH04GSPFiVa3Y7L1O4FFKZaSrViNSSC9y1tRuwQJ1PmlKkw4kEiHBzl1TF-DYTk7N6hc/w640-h264/Richmond%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">opening stretch</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>There are seven free-of-charge car parks within the park's boundary, and if driving to the venue the obvious choice is to use the Pembroke Lodge car park (may also be labelled on some maps as Petersham Park car park). To access it by vehicle you would need to use Richmond Gate, Ham Gate or the Kingston Gate. The car park itself is about a 1km walk to the parkrun meeting point next to Richmond Gate. The next closest car park is the Sheen Gate car park, and that one is two kilometres away from the meeting point. This one is only accessible via Sheen Gate. The other car parks can be as far as 5 kilometres away from the <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/richmond/" target="_blank">Richmond parkrun</a> start area, so are not really options for the average parkrun attendee. It is worth noting that the Kingston Gate car park is actually closer to the start of Kingston parkrun (<a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2024/02/kingston-parkrun.html" target="_blank">write-up</a>) than it is to Richmond parkrun, and the Robin Hood Gate car park is closer to Wimbledon Common parkrun (<a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2023/04/wimbledon-common-parkrun.html" target="_blank">write-up</a>). The park really is that big!</div><div><br /></div><div>If arriving by public transport there are of course many buses that go to the centre of Richmond, but the 371 seems to be the best option for parkrunners because it stops just outside Richmond Gate. If travelling by train, the station to head for is Richmond Station which is located within the centre of the town. It is served by South Western Railway mainline trains that run between central London and Reading, and is the terminus of the London Overground's Mildmay Line and of the London Underground's District Line. The onward walk is about 2 kilometres (mostly uphill) but it looks like the aforementioned 371 bus runs between the two should you wish to avoid the walk.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAlVf0updS_r_np6jBKrVSBXlLVOsQWcbfvlYpsTKEpahWYM_NhsHJdZrtjeVgL0be-8rbVrJ04lBYbR5Vojlj-4B-pN4jKYB1ip5nVeo1wK6JUYseQkI2nRaFHD3Kl98xbOQpXKGZUuXPl3TXSFUH8ATWthDQzALjvFFzl1pBMbzgaeaUiucoy-FN1aM/s3264/Richmond%205.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1357" data-original-width="3264" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAlVf0updS_r_np6jBKrVSBXlLVOsQWcbfvlYpsTKEpahWYM_NhsHJdZrtjeVgL0be-8rbVrJ04lBYbR5Vojlj-4B-pN4jKYB1ip5nVeo1wK6JUYseQkI2nRaFHD3Kl98xbOQpXKGZUuXPl3TXSFUH8ATWthDQzALjvFFzl1pBMbzgaeaUiucoy-FN1aM/w640-h266/Richmond%205.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sawyers hill</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The park and local area is a very popular place for cycling, and if using a bicycle to travel to the venue, it is important to note that there are plenty of bicycle racks in the car parks, but none at the start area. I saw that some people had chained their bikes to a fence at the back of the adjacent housing. Please refrain from securing bikes to the trees as this can cause damage and the park rangers will most likely be very upset with you. There are a good number of toilet facilities spread around the park. For the purposes of visiting parkrun, the most convenient option can be found next to Richmond Gate. The toilets have a 20p charge in place and the only way to pay is via the contactless payment system (by card or mobile phone wallet app). They no longer accept cash. There are some free-of-charge toilets at the Pembroke Lodge car park, but these are not Royal Parks toilets and did not seem to be open pre-parkrun.</div><div><br /></div><div>The briefings take place at 'The Stump' before assembling at the start line a little further along the path, near Bishop's Gate and Bishop's Pond. Richmond parkrun takes place over a single, undulating, anti-clockwise lap around the northernmost section of the park. The surfaces underfoot are a mixture of tarmac, and a hard-packed gravelly path (possibly a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoggin" target="_blank">hoggin path</a>) and road shoes are usually the best shoe choice, however trail shoes may be preferred by some in unfavourable conditions. Strangely the usual parkrun paragraph on the course page regarding participating with a buggy seems to be missing from Richmond parkrun's <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/richmond/course/" target="_blank">course page</a>. However, fear not, the course is perfectly fine for buggies. Please be aware that the deer that reside in the park are wild animals and need to be treated with caution and respect. There are some general deer <a href="https://www.royalparks.org.uk/visit/parks/richmond-park/deer-richmond-park" target="_blank">safety guidelines plus some detailed advice for dog owners</a> on the Royal Parks' website.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP6Iuf6K7KzwyN6q97VASF4P9v4NozaV1p1d4KN9xSPFCIzZ-2hSV0NVEygT_xduqpPMgjgbAWbzufTkBcJnQC1FtxmY1LqqnoemyxtlMkU8i44UY77OP4ybAGPSLgUnnztiH9awGgqYiAuUKlrZ9J56ibe7ykvsCp8y8lG0xAhsvpuLZb0pWzVAhSErw/s3264/Richmond%206.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1357" data-original-width="3264" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP6Iuf6K7KzwyN6q97VASF4P9v4NozaV1p1d4KN9xSPFCIzZ-2hSV0NVEygT_xduqpPMgjgbAWbzufTkBcJnQC1FtxmY1LqqnoemyxtlMkU8i44UY77OP4ybAGPSLgUnnztiH9awGgqYiAuUKlrZ9J56ibe7ykvsCp8y8lG0xAhsvpuLZb0pWzVAhSErw/w640-h266/Richmond%206.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sawyers hill / sheen cross / sheen gate</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The start is on the hoggin path which forms part of the Tamsin Trail footpath. The start area is taped-off creating a start funnel which keeps everybody on the path, preventing over-spill onto the adjacent grass areas. In practice this means the start is only the width of the footpath so expect some initial congestion. The course heads gently uphill to the west towards Richmond Gate, and once reaching the road, turns onto the tarmac footpath which runs alongside the internal road named Sawyers Hill. The tarmac path is not particularly wide, but as the field spreads out congestion starts to become less of a problem. The uphill theme continues throughout the first half-a-kilometre with the highest point on the course being reached just before the 500 metre point, where it levels out for a bit. On a clear day you can see into Central London from here.</div><div><br /></div><div>The whole of the second kilometre is downhill, so this is almost certainly going to be the fastest kilometre split for the majority of participants. Please note that there is a point which is not marshalled where the course crosses the internal access road for Holly Lodge. Still on the tarmac path, the lowest point of the course is reached at the southeast corner of the course where it reaches Sheen Cross, 2.3 kilometres into the route. At this point the tarmac path ends and the route turns onto the closed road which heads uphill towards Sheen Gate (in 2013 the course used the grass here). After approximately 400 metres, the course re-joins the Tamsin Trail footpath where it passes the Sheen Gate car park and the surface changes back to the hoggin path. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbeNJGP2c8Qo7i1XcT21kXH1p7KUeTD0oMtV4HuYjK9sRUyUjoAJvpR4LDpzD4ezk-PT8hD5Sd-gpm4RNsSuXfD5EZlJA3Bhj6jrXTUpfbiFg5v13pQ33dOEVNH_ViIgSepscwcFNkq4GJepAVauP3QBHfdK69_vdwhSiBNCBoh5CUstz-BZE0xp9mDk/s3264/Richmond%207.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="3264" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbeNJGP2c8Qo7i1XcT21kXH1p7KUeTD0oMtV4HuYjK9sRUyUjoAJvpR4LDpzD4ezk-PT8hD5Sd-gpm4RNsSuXfD5EZlJA3Bhj6jrXTUpfbiFg5v13pQ33dOEVNH_ViIgSepscwcFNkq4GJepAVauP3QBHfdK69_vdwhSiBNCBoh5CUstz-BZE0xp9mDk/w640-h210/Richmond%207.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tamsin trail</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The remaining two-and-a-bit kilometres feature a roller-coaster style series of undulations which gradually work their way upwards. The Tamsin Trail section first passes through Sheen Wood, and as the path emerges from the woodland a few hundred metres later, the view over the parkland to the south reveals itself. This part of the course is a lot of fun as it meanders in and out of the wooded areas. Eventually the course reaches the original start area and passes Bishops Pond for a second time. All that's left is to follow the path for a second helping of the opening incline and the finish is found upon reaching the area adjacent to Richmond Gate.</div><div><br /></div><div>Barcode scanning takes place just after the finish and the advertised post-parkrun refreshments are over at Pembroke Lodge, which is very convenient if that's where you parked the car.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtKDwbJ3VPaB4JwUrtpDTXJBDvVWSP2Gg57mltben7KSrpEVRJYIyhIZDWXdS0BUCkdjI1OQ6gVTnMu9ju1t48-nhSBtxyEJGLOUS7ElqxpZuolGQyNA88NixTLZwXhM7ZTlHmRMegyvaI1wcGHmhb5M20CJp0hjF1OyUpSGsXWlntehC_7z5-zRzjls/s3264/Richmond%208.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1424" data-original-width="3264" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtKDwbJ3VPaB4JwUrtpDTXJBDvVWSP2Gg57mltben7KSrpEVRJYIyhIZDWXdS0BUCkdjI1OQ6gVTnMu9ju1t48-nhSBtxyEJGLOUS7ElqxpZuolGQyNA88NixTLZwXhM7ZTlHmRMegyvaI1wcGHmhb5M20CJp0hjF1OyUpSGsXWlntehC_7z5-zRzjls/w640-h280/Richmond%208.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tamsin trail</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>I recorded the course with my Garmin and the <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10872204001" target="_blank">GPS trace of the course</a> can be viewed on my Strava account. The total elevation gain was recorded as 50 metres. I used that data to create a <a href="https://youtu.be/bfbAIJ-uKog?si=zauneue8RvIyzG4w" target="_blank">Relive course fly-by video</a> that can be viewed on YouTube. For the record, apart from using the road rather than the grass at the Sheen Gate end, the course used in 2024 was absolutely identical to the course that was in use when I visited in 2013. The course does not require very many marshals, so the only ones you are likely to encounter are at the Sheen Gate end of the loop who ensure that everyone makes the required turns onto the road and then onto the Tamsin Trail path.</div><div><br /></div><div>The results were processed and published a bit later that day and 352 people took part in <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/richmond/results/799/" target="_blank">event 799</a> on 2 March 2024. This was a little lower than the current average, and I'm almost 100% certain that this was down to the heavy rain. The attendance figures do dance around quite a bit here, but on a regular parkrunday, it would be fair to expect somewhere around 400 to 500 participants.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghOc5sl5Vr1X6yt2zQRT9NwsBPj2WeHqxhY6YSDryJatheJ_tC3S4Yg-S1PpndBk2kuUqZnh7NBPsAzo0OwrCDxK1pakCgE5-QZL0H4hdp882ZDEOdo2e5rRjgDn5EQwhPznTW4KwrRCX5HPU3a5ostvDHA-KaawaqG0QOolO4EzfpnhOD5RVXKYmyqbE/s3264/Richmond%209.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1174" data-original-width="3264" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghOc5sl5Vr1X6yt2zQRT9NwsBPj2WeHqxhY6YSDryJatheJ_tC3S4Yg-S1PpndBk2kuUqZnh7NBPsAzo0OwrCDxK1pakCgE5-QZL0H4hdp882ZDEOdo2e5rRjgDn5EQwhPznTW4KwrRCX5HPU3a5ostvDHA-KaawaqG0QOolO4EzfpnhOD5RVXKYmyqbE/w640-h230/Richmond%209.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">finish area</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Before we left, we managed to spot some of the park's majestic deer and also went up to King Henry's Mound which is a very famous viewpoint (and possibly also a prehistoric Bronze Age burial chamber). To the west is the panoramic view across the Thames valley and to the east is the protected view of St. Paul's Cathedral, both of which can be viewed through the onsite public telescope. The view is one of 13 London vistas protected under the London View Management Framework (LVMF). Sadly, due to the amount of cloud cover, we couldn't quite see the cathedral on this particular day, but we plan to revisit the park when the weather is better.</div><div><br /></div><div>We had originally intended to spend all day wandering around the park and the local area, however despite having a full change of clothes, the continuous heavy rain had really got to us and we decided to make our way back home. That does mean we didn't get to admire Richmond's other protected view, which can be seen from Richmond Hill. This view is protected under the Richmond, Petersham and Ham Open Spaces Act 1902, making it the only view in the UK to be protected by an act of parliament.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4ItTORiJndRAfElX9vIP8XdzGJ3dL4yQGBt_72LXhpq1ynR_bGiwRbmcV851e-2I1XOtYOk4w_4TMznoAxIzw5Iw8y_dXseO-POWfyx-oKxguYnsd4e3bOPtyRNDqTB95VcfKx9D3DxZFDDpm72GGawUDKelpiFq8r9B7rbebr5-uFya8mTgY7WPEe8/s3264/Richmond%2010.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="3264" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4ItTORiJndRAfElX9vIP8XdzGJ3dL4yQGBt_72LXhpq1ynR_bGiwRbmcV851e-2I1XOtYOk4w_4TMznoAxIzw5Iw8y_dXseO-POWfyx-oKxguYnsd4e3bOPtyRNDqTB95VcfKx9D3DxZFDDpm72GGawUDKelpiFq8r9B7rbebr5-uFya8mTgY7WPEe8/w640-h164/Richmond%2010.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">king henry's mound</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>Finally, this is a very special park and we are very fortunate to have a parkrun here. A huge thank you goes to all the parkrun volunteers that stood out in the rain to make the parkrun possible.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Related Links:</b></div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10872204001" target="_blank">The course GPS data</a> (2024)</li><li><a href="https://youtu.be/bfbAIJ-uKog?si=zauneue8RvIyzG4w" target="_blank">The Relive course fly-by video</a> (2024)</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-london-parkruns.html" target="_blank">The London parkrun venues</a> (blog7t page)</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2024/02/kingston-parkrun.html" target="_blank">Kingston parkrun</a> (2024 write-up)</li><li><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2023/05/old-deer-park-parkrun.html" target="_blank">Old Deer Park parkrun</a> (2023 write-up)</li><li><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2023/04/wimbledon-common-parkrun.html" target="_blank">Wimbledon Common parkrun</a> (2023 write-up)</li><li><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2013/11/richmond-parkrun.html" target="_blank">Richmond parkrun</a> (original 2013 write-up)</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>copy7thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07869260780729697873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8778671273358983652.post-84262704899416958802024-02-25T21:23:00.001+00:002024-02-26T17:42:04.211+00:00Pegwell Bay parkrun<div>The Isle of Thanet is the area in the far north east corner of <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-kent-parkruns.html" target="_blank">Kent</a>, home to the very well-known seaside resorts <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2023/06/margate-parkrun.html" target="_blank">Margate</a> and Ramsgate. Although now part of the mainland, it was historically cut off from the rest of Kent by a strait called the Wantsum Channel, which is thought to have formed somewhere between 5000BC and 2000BC. The channel started to silt up during the 12th and 13th centuries, by the 16th century the channel had completely dried up and the Isle became fully connected to the rest of Kent. Part of the area at the southern end of the former channel is now known as Pegwell Bay.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pegwell Bay is a shallow, sandy inlet that sits at the southern end of Thanet District on the east coast of Kent. The villages of Pegwell and Ebbsfleet are adjacent but the bay itself is within the Civil Parish of Cliffsend (Cliffs End). The bay contains seashore habitats such as mudflats and salt marsh which are essential to migrating waders and wildfowl. Some of the land that overlooks the bay was used during the 20th century as a landfill site. In the 1980's the landfill was capped and 29 acres was landscaped into a park, which is now called <a href="https://www.kent.gov.uk/leisure-and-community/kent-country-parks/find-a-kent-country-park/pegwell-bay-country-park" target="_blank">Pegwell Bay Country Park</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhj5mKEdSaJSbYuzM09_-zvVyZtYWtZbvM7x6VL50mMi4btzS7RWU0rBkmCnSKSYvyGWxN-Y_agQ-nSCmNevPwC7qgOJ8VZb7v5yRGCy2fxXOIi2df53hMAhAZDq1FN9lGn8V_2gBnpDefoncUABcq1xZJZ7bgy2o6pRipX1Wdp31UgqkSMbklgMekpM/s3264/pegwell%20bay%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1857" data-original-width="3264" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhj5mKEdSaJSbYuzM09_-zvVyZtYWtZbvM7x6VL50mMi4btzS7RWU0rBkmCnSKSYvyGWxN-Y_agQ-nSCmNevPwC7qgOJ8VZb7v5yRGCy2fxXOIi2df53hMAhAZDq1FN9lGn8V_2gBnpDefoncUABcq1xZJZ7bgy2o6pRipX1Wdp31UgqkSMbklgMekpM/w640-h364/pegwell%20bay%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The Wantsum Channel existed at the time of the Roman conquest of Britain and the immediate vicinity is home to a couple of places with notable connections to this period. The Roman's full scale invasion of 43AD is believed to have landed at Rutupiae (now called Richborough), on the mainland side of the Wantsum Channel. Rutupiae became a supply base for the Roman army before evolving into quite a large civilian town. A large triumphal arch (it was the largest in the entire Roman Empire) was constructed here and this effectively marked the entry point into Roman Britain. It also marked the starting point of Watling Street, the main road towards Londinium.</div><div><br /></div><div>Almost a hundred years earlier Julius Caesar had landed his exploratory fleet on two occasions, first in 55BC and again in 54BC. The exact location of his landings had been a mystery until in 2017 archaeologists found evidence of a large Roman fort near the hamlet of Ebbsfleet in Thanet. This has led many to believe that the area around Ebbsfleet / Pegwell Bay is the location of Caesar's 54BC landing. This may cause some upset over in <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2019/08/walmer-and-deal-seafront-parkrun.html" target="_blank">Deal</a> as they have a stone plaque on the beach claiming the landing point.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl46w9fqALzpnaoyMcVAlbgbirVAtopUvT9cAFjC3_oBFlIsubD14RlpD66BTqjMUkOjbr3EWWgpTtGzQAITaqyjj5l64v7loZeykpym8ScGTpSrGngNX9lt4fEcKtk7SgEdjErOvRvcLWEbSo5hWjbzKsx8hD8FwfqDBJ39UIHj-mI-Irb8-1jOeJx2c/s3264/pegwell%20bay%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1857" data-original-width="3264" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl46w9fqALzpnaoyMcVAlbgbirVAtopUvT9cAFjC3_oBFlIsubD14RlpD66BTqjMUkOjbr3EWWgpTtGzQAITaqyjj5l64v7loZeykpym8ScGTpSrGngNX9lt4fEcKtk7SgEdjErOvRvcLWEbSo5hWjbzKsx8hD8FwfqDBJ39UIHj-mI-Irb8-1jOeJx2c/w640-h364/pegwell%20bay%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The same area is also thought to be the landing point for Hengist and Horsa, the Germanic brothers who led the Angles, Saxons and Jutes when they arrived in Britain in the years following the Romans' withdrawal. Hengist went on to become the first Jutish King of Kent in 455. To commemorate the 1500th anniversary of their arrival, a Scandinavian longship called 'Hugin' was built and sailed across the sea where it was presented to the people of Thanet by the King of Denmark. The ship now stands on the clifftop overlooking the bay.</div><div><br /></div><div>In 597 a monk called Augustine arrived via the same route after the Pope sent him to Britain in order to lead the 'Gregorian mission' to convert Britain's Anglo Saxons to Christianity starting with the monarch of Kent. He was ultimately successful and <span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122;">Æ</span>thelberht became the first Christian King of Kent. Augustine went on to become the very first Archbishop of Canterbury and is known as one of the founders of the Church of England. There is a Celtic Cross near the village of Cliffsend which marks the spot where Augustine first met King <span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122;">Æ</span>thelberht. After his death he was canonised and is known as Saint Augustine of Canterbury.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKXB4pQE02n-2v4Npb0GsdtPK6ArE_celtgnM2PT_A1Z2jMRiatVnt2ODlabHCIQFua3yQWEC7sGSAXMRTm_ha2R8WARMHgx6jrICDiGCBkgOGKZ4ja5NX317bqWQAqPeMy85Csn2ha-mheCz11C0tFhU7ebv9wr0ahyhi92foE4LMqqgch6qFbRSdOs/s3264/pegwell%20bay%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1857" data-original-width="3264" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKXB4pQE02n-2v4Npb0GsdtPK6ArE_celtgnM2PT_A1Z2jMRiatVnt2ODlabHCIQFua3yQWEC7sGSAXMRTm_ha2R8WARMHgx6jrICDiGCBkgOGKZ4ja5NX317bqWQAqPeMy85Csn2ha-mheCz11C0tFhU7ebv9wr0ahyhi92foE4LMqqgch6qFbRSdOs/w640-h364/pegwell%20bay%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>In Victorian times it was quite fashionable for the well-to-do to visit coastal resorts in order to escape the dirty city and take in the sea air. An effort was made to turn Pegwell Bay into a resort similar to its neighbour Ramsgate. A pier was constructed, but this venture failed and the pier dismantled just a few years later. An area of the bay contains a large concrete structure which used to be Ramsgate International Hoverport. Four hovercraft provided services between Pegwell Bay and Calais from the port which operated between 1969 and 1987. Although the site remains, it is slowly being reclaimed by nature.</div><div><br /></div><div>On 11 May 2013 <a href="https://www.kent.gov.uk/leisure-and-community/kent-country-parks/find-a-kent-country-park/pegwell-bay-country-park" target="_blank">Pegwell Bay Country Park</a> became home to a free, weekly, timed event called <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/pegwellbay/" target="_blank">Pegwell Bay parkrun</a>. I first took part in the event on 22 February 2014 which was event number 39, I returned 10 years later to take part in event number 492 which was held on 24 February 2024. On both occasions I travelled by car and parked in <a href="https://www.kent.gov.uk/leisure-and-community/kent-country-parks/find-a-kent-country-park/pegwell-bay-country-park/parking" target="_blank">the on-site car park</a>. As of 2024 the cost to park here at the weekend is a flat charge of £3 and this covers the entire day. Payment can be made by cash or card at the payment machine, but I could not get it to process my payment. Fortunately payment can also be made by using Park Buddy, PayByPhone or Ringo apps (the apps may cost slightly more as they will include a booking fee - Ringo cost £3.20). Holders of a Kent Country Parks season ticket do not have to pay to park. The parkrun page mentions the car park at the Viking Ship Cafe (1.2km along the coast) as an alternative, but this was closed when we visited in February 2024 (probably a seasonal thing).</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4lbcD2oYk4H4nlKmG2umEn7FYBgtcaQg0IHudKvjYkPeFTLAXwT5sMpISqfZ9ll3GNNRU3QpcTwQJshpbQXoUPp6NliyVYGo4CFy9sACb6VM1txMtFkk7ed8xqjw7LqP-2GBdvb_jxDyD6u-OAimS65QwKA5VBVIorRxT1CJ0V18jDKCjbjbwmgB6i4/s3264/pegwell%20bay%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1462" data-original-width="3264" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4lbcD2oYk4H4nlKmG2umEn7FYBgtcaQg0IHudKvjYkPeFTLAXwT5sMpISqfZ9ll3GNNRU3QpcTwQJshpbQXoUPp6NliyVYGo4CFy9sACb6VM1txMtFkk7ed8xqjw7LqP-2GBdvb_jxDyD6u-OAimS65QwKA5VBVIorRxT1CJ0V18jDKCjbjbwmgB6i4/w640-h286/pegwell%20bay%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Travel by public transport is possible and the closest train station is Thanet Parkway (in Cliffsend), which opened in July 2023. Off-peak services are fairly limited with the only Saturday trains running from <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-london-parkruns.html" target="_blank">London</a> being High Speed services from St. Pancras. There is a better selection of trains which run to Ramsgate and Sandwich but those stations are further away. The 45 bus seems to run from both of these stations through Cliffsend where you can alight. The <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/pegwellbay/course/" target="_blank">parkrun course page</a> also mentions that the Stagecoach East Kent 87 and 88 buses stop close to the venue. Finally, if cycling, the park is well connected via the local cycle paths and there are bicycle racks next to the car park. The venue's toilets and the parkrun meeting point can also be found here.</div><div><br /></div><div>When I first visited in 2014 the start was located on the sea-facing side of the park and the full 5 kilometre course ran for two-and-a-bit laps. However, in 2017 work began on the installation of the 1,000 megawatt HVDC sub-marine <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nemo_Link" target="_blank">Nemo Link</a> cable which connects the nearby Richborough Energy Park to Belgium and allows for high voltage electricity to flow between the two countries' electrical grids. The decision was made to run the cable right through Pegwell Bay Country Park. It was supposed to be laid underground, but there was some worry that doing so could disturb the materials in the landfill which could then contaminate the surface. With that in mind the cable was laid on the surface and covered with a 'chalk bund' which resulted in the creation of a berm (an artificial ridge) which goes right through the parkrun's original start area. </div><div><br /></div><div>In order for the parkrun to continue the course had to be modified, but owing to the layout of the park and limitations of the paths there was only one option - to move the start, but keep the finish in the same place. This would mean a slightly shorter course, which I understand is parkrun HQ approved. The revised course became active on 27 May 2017.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2_OGxvJpKhjmaX7GhZJp2-wol1BgGuoecDKQVAFi1EINRjUEJHMsIW5aetzN2GgfqbDKmLYyfVbmBUUXVED4MaOdUhAj3hTvzefGS7JGhgzLKp4PTmjz1nkvrvckYRVz8wipGjwVRyw9G0IicAk5PmtQX38Q7WznO6r39tY53_2Oxmecl1jiTMTk1iZw/s3264/pegwell%20bay%205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1462" data-original-width="3264" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2_OGxvJpKhjmaX7GhZJp2-wol1BgGuoecDKQVAFi1EINRjUEJHMsIW5aetzN2GgfqbDKmLYyfVbmBUUXVED4MaOdUhAj3hTvzefGS7JGhgzLKp4PTmjz1nkvrvckYRVz8wipGjwVRyw9G0IicAk5PmtQX38Q7WznO6r39tY53_2Oxmecl1jiTMTk1iZw/w640-h286/pegwell%20bay%205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The parkrun now takes place over a two lap anti-clockwise triangular-shaped course and the surface underfoot is a mixture of tarmac and gravel (the tarmac has been added since my first visit). The route is almost completely flat and it is perfectly fine for those taking part with a buggy. I would imagine that wheelchair users would most likely be fine on the course, but the gravel may make things a little more difficult. As for footwear, I'd say regular road shoes would be fine most of the time, but those of us who like to be cautious may prefer to stick on trail shoes in the winter or after wet weather. The briefings, the toilets, the start and the finish are all condensed into the same grassy area adjacent to the car park. The actual start line is located at the northern section of the grass area.</div><div><br /></div><div>The start area is wide enough to accommodate a fairly wide start line, but this narrows down into the regular-width tarmac path very soon after. Almost immediately after this, the course has to cross the park's vehicle entrance. This is of course quite rare at a parkrun, but rest assured, this spot is very heavily marshalled and if any vehicles are present, they will be stopped to allow the participants to cross. The course continues to head along the tarmac path until it reaches the south-west corner of the park. Please note that the tarmac path forms part of the Sustrans route 15 cycle path, so watch out for cyclists.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZGVddFXmm4tVPrDR8rtIJ2wAxS4qLC_61WiftLV9HSeAKpRk0NpPnfDFm3dLENfV1Ugr8A37AxdUlIkzTBGPuF89KBqTZEvWxxrjmJaPklRPZMtlgKwiY6vShKyvLsxCwkUz-Jlg6l7WqHVp5_QxBioUx2xGXDZ3KaO5QNI4Rktl03cmdlzgb4oWhUc/s3264/pegwell%20bay%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1462" data-original-width="3264" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZGVddFXmm4tVPrDR8rtIJ2wAxS4qLC_61WiftLV9HSeAKpRk0NpPnfDFm3dLENfV1Ugr8A37AxdUlIkzTBGPuF89KBqTZEvWxxrjmJaPklRPZMtlgKwiY6vShKyvLsxCwkUz-Jlg6l7WqHVp5_QxBioUx2xGXDZ3KaO5QNI4Rktl03cmdlzgb4oWhUc/w640-h286/pegwell%20bay%206.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>At the corner the course turns to the left and the surface underfoot changes to the gravelly, stony, off-road style path. Now heading in an easterly direction, the surroundings start to open up a little. To the right is the Stonelees Nature Reserve, the salt marsh and the mouth of the River Stour. To the left is the inner park and there are fields that are home to cattle including highland cows (I didn't manage to see any). When the path reaches its next change of direction, the stunning view of Pegwell Bay itself with the backdrop of the white cliffs at Cliffsend comes into view. If there has been rain, it may be a little splashy at points along here as quite large puddles can form across the path. The course continues along the sea-front with the vast mudflats stretching across the entire bay.</div><div><br /></div><div>The final 200 metres of this sea-front section narrows down into a single file path, so participants towards the back of the field may find that those at the front are lapping them during this section. It's very difficult to pass along here, so it's a case of trying to work together to ensure everyone has a nice experience. If you look to the left of this path you can see the berm running alongside it. I'm guessing it must be made out of, or topped with chalk as it stands out due to being white. Also if you look at the satellite view on Google maps you can see the white scar making its way across the whole park. At the end of this path, there is another marshal and a left hand turn back onto the open grass start area.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOI7abdJNXyxFlZxJrtxUc-mH5722scMr7VQ5MpYvPNK9kf2naCrBBCX4a2qUvTO4L6UeYoZwOvkBvlEy_guN_4E5d9hZJ-ySCmVYK1NOwel5EF10H_M0-l2txjoslgzGLhh0VYrqYNYsaXqv4D6Pev1tJRsY3RUqxDmOQ6qVzwvnGrwthWdRTcSurOc/s3264/pegwell%20bay%207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1462" data-original-width="3264" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOI7abdJNXyxFlZxJrtxUc-mH5722scMr7VQ5MpYvPNK9kf2naCrBBCX4a2qUvTO4L6UeYoZwOvkBvlEy_guN_4E5d9hZJ-ySCmVYK1NOwel5EF10H_M0-l2txjoslgzGLhh0VYrqYNYsaXqv4D6Pev1tJRsY3RUqxDmOQ6qVzwvnGrwthWdRTcSurOc/w640-h286/pegwell%20bay%207.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The second lap is identical to the first, and once both laps have been completed the finish funnel can be found on the grass where the briefing took place. Barcode scanning takes place in the area just outside the toilets. A really nice touch at this venue was a table set up with facilities to make tea, coffee and hot chocolate, with boiling water provided in urns by one of the volunteers. If you are lucky they may even have some biscuits. I found this set up really encouraged a larger group of participants to linger post-parkrun, which no doubt works wonders for the community side of this event. Anybody that is on the look-out for a more substantial breakfast can simply walk around to the park's on-site refreshments facility, the Salty Seal Cafe. There's also an on-site playground which should keep any children entertained. </div><div><br /></div><div>After having a quick drink at the refreshments table we headed off to see the Scandinavian longboat 'Hugin' - sadly because it was winter it was partially covered in order to protect it from the cold weather. We then went and found St. Augustine's cross in Cliffsend. The highlight of our post-parkrun activities was our visit to see <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/richborough-roman-fort-and-amphitheatre/" target="_blank">Richborough Roman Fort</a> which I can thoroughly recommend.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXv1MIvjHlUj1NlcT1vs2XXBzzhPnINWvPrVXZ87YRqmGkjLlGop8rHNt4gZlxXBbSpBRIT5btz8TOyxFHrNhAeQFsco7OS2GrWlVLRdS334SUbmcti0GuTGwErEVisvFrg2NJB2eZfjdLUOOpFyE6WLYrGmfv2cmyPEDX9kIZ6Udf7jPqQPyiGItF-D0/s3264/pegwell%20bay%208.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1462" data-original-width="3264" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXv1MIvjHlUj1NlcT1vs2XXBzzhPnINWvPrVXZ87YRqmGkjLlGop8rHNt4gZlxXBbSpBRIT5btz8TOyxFHrNhAeQFsco7OS2GrWlVLRdS334SUbmcti0GuTGwErEVisvFrg2NJB2eZfjdLUOOpFyE6WLYrGmfv2cmyPEDX9kIZ6Udf7jPqQPyiGItF-D0/w640-h286/pegwell%20bay%208.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/pegwellbay/results/492/" target="_blank">results for event 492</a> were published a short while later and there were 184 finishers which was representative of the current (2024) expected attendance figures. On both of my visits, I recorded the course with my Garmin and you can see the data on my Strava account. The <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/115075410" target="_blank">original course</a> came in at the full 5 kilometres for me when I visited in 2014, and the new <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10824928733" target="_blank">revised course</a> (May 2017 onwards) measured 4.82km according to my data (I have seen variations from 4.77 - 4.84 km). There are also Relive course fly-by videos for both of my visits and they can be found on YouTube via the links below.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am aware that the short course could be quite frustrating for many parkrunners, especially if a personal best is recorded that then proves to be out-of-reach in terms of bettering on a full 5km course. However the event still retains everything else you could want from a parkrun, so the short course is a small price to pay in order to retain the wonderful community they have here at <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/pegwellbay/" target="_blank">Pegwell Bay parkrun</a>. If you are keen to visit but do not want to record an unbreakable personal best, I would recommend just taking your foot off the gas a little and focus on enjoying the park and the views rather than going for a time. Finally I would like to add a huge thank you to all of the volunteers that welcomed us into their community for the morning.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Related Links:</b></div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10824928733" target="_blank">Pegwell Bay parkrun GPS data</a> (February 2024)</li><li><a href="https://youtu.be/j3dz9CJF9Tk?si=MLPg2AlR6FFkzSdO" target="_blank">Relive course fly-by video</a> (February 2024)</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/115075410" target="_blank">Pegwell Bay parkrun GPS data</a> (February 2014 - ORIGNAL 5K COURSE)</li><li><a href="https://youtu.be/EqvE33dAR0E?si=adgvz_G77-ptztcS" target="_blank">Relive course fly-by video</a> (February 2014 - ORIGINAL 5K COURSE)</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/pegwell-bay-parkrun.html" target="_blank">Pegwell Bay parkrun 2014 write-up</a> (blog7t page)</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-kent-parkruns.html" target="_blank">The Kent parkrun venues</a> (blog7t page)</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>copy7thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07869260780729697873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8778671273358983652.post-25043232413521511542024-02-11T21:22:00.001+00:002024-03-13T07:58:29.433+00:00Kingston parkrunKingston Upon Thames (or simply Kingston) is a town in the Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames with a population of around 43,000 people (the wider borough is home to 163,000). It historically sat in the county of Surrey, but became part of Greater London in 1965. The earliest written record of the name is from Saxon times (838) when it was recorded as 'Cyninges Tun'. Over the next few centuries the name evolved where it was recorded in the 1086 Domesday Book as Chingestune, before becoming Kingeston, and then Kyngeston super Tamisiam (Tamisiam is a 13th century name for the River Thames). By 1589 was known as Kingestowne upon Thames.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg415aD_M_WyKbj0wESdzmyBc1viCWJsk4ZK2vzDXcHnHrptAhlZNGByHnlbZtXK2SF3dInPSnni2DhupRIQBHjQl0gATr8_nqqbHr2D2bloapGPRMlH7Zzwr1XsDe6JH0NGdfcGr3psMmg0h9J1oox0sJJr7yqGhfw4TFyxGR-Ld12UzUu7DzTZ3S3E-Y/s3264/kingston%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1531" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg415aD_M_WyKbj0wESdzmyBc1viCWJsk4ZK2vzDXcHnHrptAhlZNGByHnlbZtXK2SF3dInPSnni2DhupRIQBHjQl0gATr8_nqqbHr2D2bloapGPRMlH7Zzwr1XsDe6JH0NGdfcGr3psMmg0h9J1oox0sJJr7yqGhfw4TFyxGR-Ld12UzUu7DzTZ3S3E-Y/w640-h300/kingston%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The town's name means King's Manor or King's Farmstead, and it was a place of residence for Saxon kings. In fact, so important was the town that it was the location of at least seven Anglo-Saxon coronations including Edward the Elder in 900, <span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;">Æ</span>thelstan in 925, who was the first king to rule the whole of England, and Ethelred the Unready in 978. An important artefact in the town is the Coronation Stone which was recovered from the rubble of St Mary's Church, which had collapsed in 1730. It symbolises Kingston's important role in the history of England.<div><div><br /></div><div>Kingston's prosperity was partly thanks to its market which had been granted by Royal Charter which forbade any other markets for 7 miles around. The fact that it had a bridge spanning the River Thames, assisted with the town's prosperity and also made it a key strategic place, vulnerable to attack during times of war. The first Kingston Bridge would have been wooden; the exact date of construction is unknown, but it is likely to have been around a thousand years ago. Until 1729 it was the first bridged crossing point to be reached west of London Bridge, so it would have been a busy place. The current bridge dates from 1828 and is Grade II listed. In 1838 the railway arrived in the town and provided the catalyst for the expansion of the town we see today.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW58YrYBDT1Quzs20AQ10gqUgkZh3F5wfDFjAeE-KhVe5ZkBMH9rsPifVXsMOuYMvO0g8ZdVZ1dXXgqRJaXWZogX62W5utrlCas-rmT2ktEZX0jISyCve2qQXc8CeZ1e_wDGneN96GbBd-ZtHyWNI0FI3sdD4k2nS72Vhgs-dixXtaJK5X6hXD_WL5GlE/s3264/kingston%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1531" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW58YrYBDT1Quzs20AQ10gqUgkZh3F5wfDFjAeE-KhVe5ZkBMH9rsPifVXsMOuYMvO0g8ZdVZ1dXXgqRJaXWZogX62W5utrlCas-rmT2ktEZX0jISyCve2qQXc8CeZ1e_wDGneN96GbBd-ZtHyWNI0FI3sdD4k2nS72Vhgs-dixXtaJK5X6hXD_WL5GlE/w640-h300/kingston%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>In 1912 the government introduced a National Factory Scheme in order to increase the production of aircraft in the lead up to the First World War. A 38 acre site at the northern end of Kingston was developed into one of these factories and the Sopwith Aviation Company occupied the premises where they produced the Sopwith Pup and Camel. The company soon became HG Hawker Engineering Company (later Hawker Aircraft Limited) who produced many famous aircraft at the Kingston factory including the Hurricane and the Harrier Jump Jet. The factory was at one point leased by Leyland Motors who built vehicles. The factory, which was demolished in 1993, had its very own sports club right next door called Hawker's Sports Ground, and this remains in use where it is now called the Hawker Centre.</div><div><br /></div><div>Since March 2010 Kingston Upon Thames has had its very own free, weekly, timed 5 kilometre event called <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/kingston/" target="_blank">Kingston parkrun</a>, which takes place along the bank of the River Thames, and the Hawker Centre's facilities have been central to the success of the event. Firstly it provides toilet facilities for attendees of the parkrun, secondly it has a cafe which is used for the post-parkrun social gathering. Also, just in front of the centre itself are around 15 cycle racks which can hold about 30 bicycles. The final element was the free-of-charge parking facilities, which I used on both of my visits. However, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kingstonparkrun/posts/pfbid0Ct7L6usYzdsZwrQeGDj46VfWCBqvbVFdYqKsJZfevfTsh2EuRdyQeTMt8vuoVK5Nl" target="_blank">it was announced in March 2024</a> that the centre's parking facilities will not be available to parkrunners from 6 April 2024 onwards. The alternative is to use the nearby restriction-free residential side streets. Some of these are closer to the start than the Hawker Centre, but as these spots may be snapped up early, you may have to find a space a little further away.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPeatcYhARQoLoP0lsFdVz7kLqdoJekBSoWdz6539iSm8Xwy_LHBUV8ideIcSH7q1O91Z_ZuwOQNKgY4a32ezSkT3aVqX1oaRlQGX8LYXwXanEofYdsLW20QG3LGPRvUQ8HDLNJoxqf_r9YiIsA5XMUoGWTo0BtLNZSWpx10FZCwq0D6kQoEMvh6VB1I/s3264/kingston%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1531" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPeatcYhARQoLoP0lsFdVz7kLqdoJekBSoWdz6539iSm8Xwy_LHBUV8ideIcSH7q1O91Z_ZuwOQNKgY4a32ezSkT3aVqX1oaRlQGX8LYXwXanEofYdsLW20QG3LGPRvUQ8HDLNJoxqf_r9YiIsA5XMUoGWTo0BtLNZSWpx10FZCwq0D6kQoEMvh6VB1I/w640-h300/kingston%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>For those travelling by public transport, the best way to get close to the venue is by bus, and the K5, 65, and 371 all stop fairly close by. If travelling by train, the closest station is Kingston which is about 2 kilometres away, where the connecting walk is a rather pleasant stroll along the riverside path. Once at the Hawker Centre the initial parkrun meeting point and bag drop can be found on the grass on the river side of the sports centre building. The start point and briefing area can be found a couple of hundred metres further along the path on the open grassed area which is called Burnell Avenue Play Space.</div><div><br /></div><div>The first timers' and the main briefings are held on the open grass area and the parkrun gets underway at 9am. This is a flat out-and-back style course along the Thames Path. The surface underfoot is mostly tarmac or other hard surfaces, but there are also a couple of sections on grass and dirt. Choice of shoes will depend on conditions, during the winter or other periods of wet weather trail shoes may be beneficial to help navigate the non-tarmac sections, but when it is dry standard road shoes are fine. Participants pushing buggies will have no trouble on this course, and I would expect wheelchair users could also get around, but obviously be aware of the presence of the off-road sections. An important thing to note is that dogs are not permitted at this event, although there is an exception for assistance dogs.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3yIxqYTO1XABjrqZFZrcz-VfZneRft_bgJitjTUmgGRX9ipu0rSYy205rWvm293B4fgCAbGFCHdggny7hRlHdJyLbhaoWzSo_uoG1EyXBcsjbS0rYj5PqXA7y9uyXBjRTfnxpL3T_NiFzdcGFZMkwQ1cqEx8lJGkKwb_BqtWn_AEiORvx01hyjZZCI4/s3264/kingston%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1531" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3yIxqYTO1XABjrqZFZrcz-VfZneRft_bgJitjTUmgGRX9ipu0rSYy205rWvm293B4fgCAbGFCHdggny7hRlHdJyLbhaoWzSo_uoG1EyXBcsjbS0rYj5PqXA7y9uyXBjRTfnxpL3T_NiFzdcGFZMkwQ1cqEx8lJGkKwb_BqtWn_AEiORvx01hyjZZCI4/w640-h300/kingston%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The course starts with a 500 metre-long loop around the open grass area. This is quite a clever way to start as it helps to thin the parkrunners out before joining the Thames Path, which is mostly just a standard footpath width and can be busy with non-parkrunner such as cyclists and people having a pleasant morning stroll. Shortly after joining the path, it passes a white stone - this marks the boundary between The Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames and the London Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames. Interestingly, only around 500 metres of the course actually sits within Kingston, the remaining 4.5km (90%) is entirely within Ham, in the London Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames. The path meanders along nicely as it heads to the north-west.</div><div><br /></div><div>The next notable features are Teddington Weir and the Teddington Lock footbridge. Upon reaching the footbridge, the course passes underneath and changes slightly. The footpath ends and is replaced with a private road which is slightly wider where it passes Teddington Lock and a couple of houses. Please note that there may be some parked vehicles in this section. The first lock to be built here was the 'pound lock' in 1810. However when the old London Bridge was dismantled it caused problems with the river level and a newer lock was built, this is called the 'launch lock'. Finally a third lock was built, called the 'barge lock'. It was completed in 1905 and at 198 metres in length is the largest lock on the River Thames.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-Vqe4aGkFBOkwKG1TjihZoL3EEzDsxFvcX_9P_Lx7y11OvM7uvKlsOUOcivvPz2c5KuJTS5jMt55-qznU2TdIny9lK438DsYEjuG3x7CooyKVJt5mJGuzEkAuTjzDHODS2PothBf_2WktzR2a3PJIHZ2VfStFv6RzL_q-mT6wcAOhsNduzJlhaYiIlA/s3264/kingston%205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1531" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-Vqe4aGkFBOkwKG1TjihZoL3EEzDsxFvcX_9P_Lx7y11OvM7uvKlsOUOcivvPz2c5KuJTS5jMt55-qznU2TdIny9lK438DsYEjuG3x7CooyKVJt5mJGuzEkAuTjzDHODS2PothBf_2WktzR2a3PJIHZ2VfStFv6RzL_q-mT6wcAOhsNduzJlhaYiIlA/w640-h300/kingston%205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Once past Teddington Lock, the course returns to a more natural setting with trees on both sides. There is at times a fairly steep bank down into the Thames, so stay clear of the edge. A short while later there is a stone structure adjacent to the path. This is the Teddington Obelisk, and it marks the formal boundary of the responsibility of the river. The upstream section is managed by the Environment Agency while the downstream section is governed by the Port of London.</div><div><br /></div><div>Continuing along the path there is a point where it opens up and crosses a bridge over a small channel. This channel (canal) was constructed in the 1920s in order to create a loading lagoon where sand and ballast excavated from the adjacent area called 'Ham Lands' could be transferred onto barges. The excavations ceased many years ago and the lake is now home to the <a href="https://www.surreyoutdoorlearning.uk/centres/thames-young-mariners" target="_blank">Thames Young Mariners</a> centre where they offer many kinds of water-based activities.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQmZNv3V_g99KsYatvqdjLsiVbz3mMw3kv2huCjgFeZ4CrkdLPRv6TV94_PazYcgGswv8nJOkUH9ad0ZKC0L88Jut2lwvcqmaKFsWZ0yy8ogv1W0_KS217ch3GuRh0WGNJRVf4KDBntRwsqnkAdCEWJRrN4X0kx7gI33ZifWTm7BjU5Ku0Kji7PzZKg4/s3264/kingston%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1531" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQmZNv3V_g99KsYatvqdjLsiVbz3mMw3kv2huCjgFeZ4CrkdLPRv6TV94_PazYcgGswv8nJOkUH9ad0ZKC0L88Jut2lwvcqmaKFsWZ0yy8ogv1W0_KS217ch3GuRh0WGNJRVf4KDBntRwsqnkAdCEWJRrN4X0kx7gI33ZifWTm7BjU5Ku0Kji7PzZKg4/w640-h300/kingston%206.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Once over this crossing the course continues following the Thames Path until a marshal directs the participants onto Ham Lands for a short off-road section. It creates a loop and the parkrunners soon return to the Thames Path just next to the lagoon bridge. However Ham Lands contains natural flood-meadows, which naturally hold onto water when the levels rise. If that happens the ground can become waterlogged or boggy, so a slight adjustment to the course can be made where the route stays on the Thames Path and a standard turn-around point is set up a bit further along. Once the far end of the course has been negotiated, the route simply follows the same path all the way back along the river.</div><div><br /></div><div>Upon passing the borough boundary stone and re-entering Kingston Upon Thames, the course passes the original start area, and continues along the Thames Path for about another 200 metres until it reaches the small grass area outside the Hawker Centre, and this is where the finish can be found. Barcode scanning takes place on this small patch of grass and once all the participants and the tail walker have crossed the line, the kit is packed away (I was called into action to assist dismantling the finish funnel, which I was very happy to do) and the team move into the Hawker Centre's cafe for some refreshments. The cafe has both indoor and outdoor seating, and there is also a small children's play area.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb15sfbOvr7ZLAeECwD-ka2rVuR2BZPhXpSHj8q3v-KnB3O5iE_FbdfonCmsVKq0HCoogY9v8gL9hhu3r8Z6fe7ypSc-tbBP6Xr-SfS7VbRkOcffz7cgX4qkKfiMb_czXqyJ8V8G7_m-KVRMOpgqyFApQoYf6XONuBxOTulEcb8cth52N-JHyUo6dKRMk/s3264/kingston%207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1531" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb15sfbOvr7ZLAeECwD-ka2rVuR2BZPhXpSHj8q3v-KnB3O5iE_FbdfonCmsVKq0HCoogY9v8gL9hhu3r8Z6fe7ypSc-tbBP6Xr-SfS7VbRkOcffz7cgX4qkKfiMb_czXqyJ8V8G7_m-KVRMOpgqyFApQoYf6XONuBxOTulEcb8cth52N-JHyUo6dKRMk/w640-h300/kingston%207.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The results were published a bit later that day and there were 336 finishers at <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/kingston/results/648/" target="_blank">event number 648</a>. This number was quite representative of a normal week, where around 300 participants would usually be expected. As far as GPS data goes, the course used during my 2024 visit was the <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10732016608" target="_blank">alternative course</a>, and this was because Ham Lands was a little too boggy to send over 300 people through. So the course data from this visit is the alternative course. I have obtained some GPS data of the <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/88490979" target="_blank">standard course</a> and that can also be found on my Strava account. I also have my GPS data from <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/88490979" target="_blank">my 2013 visit</a> when the course used to start near the Hawker Centre, this can be viewed for historical purposes. All three versions of the course have their own accompanying Relive course fly-by videos, which can be viewed via the links at the bottom of the page. </div><div><br /></div><div>After parkrun we decided to go for <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10733858541" target="_blank">a walk along the river</a> towards Kingston town centre (we used to visit regularly between 2007 and 2010 when we lived in Putney) where we identified the crossing point for the old wooden bridge, had a wander around Kingston's historic market place complete with its central building The Market House. We saw the coronation stone and the Guildhall. We had a walk around the All Saint's Churchyard, had some lunch, and saw the 'Out of Order' telephone boxes sculpture which has been in place since 1989. There is also a museum, but we ran out of time to visit.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnjphkP9sNIfOxpH9OoJT-mgIY9RrOrOJVXi1w2yq15OOd1uBEqIB5rnq7WXaILx0nbscV8DSNflF4UwbXA9MxoW5mZUqN3iZ7khxnW5V2wMXEERpCLWD_DZMcxiw4XK5Amv8O-Z3n1JsOnxBnPClC4OKDuXcc3p0-CXWm612htCwDUeYvCVQPOUdc1s/s3264/kingston%208.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1531" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnjphkP9sNIfOxpH9OoJT-mgIY9RrOrOJVXi1w2yq15OOd1uBEqIB5rnq7WXaILx0nbscV8DSNflF4UwbXA9MxoW5mZUqN3iZ7khxnW5V2wMXEERpCLWD_DZMcxiw4XK5Amv8O-Z3n1JsOnxBnPClC4OKDuXcc3p0-CXWm612htCwDUeYvCVQPOUdc1s/w640-h300/kingston%208.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The parkrun itself was of course the highlight of the morning and we had a great time visiting. A huge thank you goes to all the volunteers for putting the event on and for making us feel so welcome.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Related Links:</b></div></div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10739921329" target="_blank">Kingston parkrun GPS data - Regular course</a> (the current standard course as of 2024)</li><li><a href="https://youtu.be/muLmT-wNuOU?si=G-sOPIdhSbYbmUsH" target="_blank">Relive course fly-by video - Regular course</a> (2024)</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10732016608" target="_blank">Kingston parkrun GPS data - Alternative course</a> (the course I used in 2024)</li><li><a href="https://youtu.be/Ms4g9EG2Oqo?si=NRucQ4KXMHU63Ccl" target="_blank">Relive course fly-by video - Alternative course</a> (2024)</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/88490979" target="_blank">Kingston parkrun GPS data - Old course</a> (2013 - no longer is use)</li><li><a href="https://youtu.be/XDL3Y9dTNgo?si=_XqoVnCByEB-GPKX" target="_blank">Relive course fly-by video - Old course</a> (2013 - no longer in use)</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-london-parkruns.html" target="_blank">The London parkrun venues</a> (blog7t)</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2013/10/kingston-parkrun.html" target="_blank">My original Kingston parkrun blog</a> (2013)</li></ul></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>copy7thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07869260780729697873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8778671273358983652.post-59108305200441211572024-02-04T15:15:00.020+00:002024-02-04T18:11:19.613+00:00Mile End parkunMile End is a district in the London borough of Tower Hamlets with a population of just under 30,000 people. Its name was recorded as 'La Mile Ende' in 1288 and it refers to a hamlet or settlement which is located a mile away. A mile away from what? Well, it seems that it refers to it being a mile away from Aldgate in the City of London, which sat at the eastern boundary of London while it was still a walled town. So it was a mile away from the boundary of London. It was largely open fields with no significant buildings before the 14th century.<div><br /></div><div>The area is known to have been the place where around 100,000 rebels camped during the Peasant's Revolt in 1381, and it is where King Richard II met with them to discuss their demands, which he initially agreed to. He later rescinded the agreement and at least 1,500 of the rebels were subsequently killed. In 1841 The City of London and Tower Hamlets Cemetery opened in the east of Mile End. It is now called Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park and is one of London's Magnificent Seven cemeteries. In 1866 Dr Barnardo moved to London and he opened Mile End's Copperfield Road Ragged School in 1877, which gave the poorest children a basic education.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNVaQITlSoScCN_bFz3cKF-UD2SgYsNBKDuW0JIsC2VHViXWG-SeiRH_MUR29iXpAYJwPKHE3zDf4Uu2i_rl9fAWAV06xeGERs3PAO_gGnYw0nTDDiaEfibrlXfE3BmyUyT5398CcEEOGzdFm0f32W45p_VkA2ANvMvo3f-DlCGkcrSX-07aedpQrk5s/s3264/mile%20end%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1381" data-original-width="3264" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNVaQITlSoScCN_bFz3cKF-UD2SgYsNBKDuW0JIsC2VHViXWG-SeiRH_MUR29iXpAYJwPKHE3zDf4Uu2i_rl9fAWAV06xeGERs3PAO_gGnYw0nTDDiaEfibrlXfE3BmyUyT5398CcEEOGzdFm0f32W45p_VkA2ANvMvo3f-DlCGkcrSX-07aedpQrk5s/w640-h270/mile%20end%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The first housing started to be developed from the 16th century, but it was at the beginning of the 19th century that the two-story terraced houses, built to house the working and lower class began to be constructed. It was also a popular residential area for immigrants to settle. The Regent's Canal was constructed through Mile End in the early 19th century and the adjacent areas of land became a popular location for factories. The area became part of the London Underground network in 1902 when Mile End Station opened.</div><div><br /></div><div>At this point in time the area had become dense with terraced housing. The East End of London was hit very hard during the Second World War, and Mile End was the first place in London to be hit by a V1 flying bomb, more commonly known as a 'Doodlebug'. This one bomb caused the deaths of 8 people, injured 30, and made 200 people homeless. The location it hit is now marked with a blue plaque. Mile End's canal-side factories, and the canal itself, were specifically targeted by the Germans as they were involved in the production and distribution of items to assist in the war effort. By the end of the war the large area of industrial land alongside the Regent's Canal and the adjacent housing had been left in ruins.<br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJMyxIt4LeeSX_qtPDrh4st9h-XvN96wgJ9LIDA-3s1rrwgYQcZARkOcxVcd2RDH24wd0LtkJm-F_1Ve1WICWoGGZaWNhrIlry0x3gQvELc4uTWxYBJl3UYOxQtkylX5DxFEcdgJLO_H5qMsgdzIFDM4CJHptUoE6EVC7Jnilm0XhthYe_mPJ_M6gq2yk/s3264/mile%20end%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1381" data-original-width="3264" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJMyxIt4LeeSX_qtPDrh4st9h-XvN96wgJ9LIDA-3s1rrwgYQcZARkOcxVcd2RDH24wd0LtkJm-F_1Ve1WICWoGGZaWNhrIlry0x3gQvELc4uTWxYBJl3UYOxQtkylX5DxFEcdgJLO_H5qMsgdzIFDM4CJHptUoE6EVC7Jnilm0XhthYe_mPJ_M6gq2yk/w640-h270/mile%20end%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Immediately following the war, a plan was put in place to transform the bomb-damaged land into a park. In 1952 the first section of park was opened as part of the <a href="https://www.fieldsintrust.org/king-george-v-playing-fields" target="_blank">King George V Memorial Fields</a> scheme. The original Portland stone entrance containing the Heraldic Panels which portray a lion on the left and a unicorn on the right still exists. It wasn't until the 1990's that the park was landscaped into the place it is today. Amongst the devastation, some houses had survived. Sadly some families lost their homes through compulsory purchase orders in order to make way for the park's creation. In 1999 it was finally finished and opened to the public as Mile End Park. The newly created space features meandering pathways and different zones, each with its own theme. Throughout the 32 hectare linear park you will find an ecology park and pavilion, art park and pavilion, a terrace garden, children's play area, climbing wall, a sports stadium and leisure centre.</div><div><br /></div><div>On 4 February 2012, the park became home to its very own free, weekly, timed 5k event called <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/mileend/" target="_blank">Mile End parkrun</a>. It is open to all abilities including wheelchair users and those who wish to walk. I first visited the park to take part in the parkrun in September 2013, revisited in April 2022 and again in February 2024.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYM-ZAjpNv8WxDEX8DWdmJ9dRlVbH0B8EsT_T48zBew0ixqpGHjZknshspteV4ijWfBFMXFjRw4B7G42aTSgNlYX7_Usco7Uxm5tPGDQov3vLxIgH8vjuZvxLc5yk_ehoakRWfeBWnXbIrmaBm70w6LzusS5SPJBsxVljVkTrEezkzmecd4m7WZfnfwJo/s3264/mile%20end%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1502" data-original-width="3264" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYM-ZAjpNv8WxDEX8DWdmJ9dRlVbH0B8EsT_T48zBew0ixqpGHjZknshspteV4ijWfBFMXFjRw4B7G42aTSgNlYX7_Usco7Uxm5tPGDQov3vLxIgH8vjuZvxLc5yk_ehoakRWfeBWnXbIrmaBm70w6LzusS5SPJBsxVljVkTrEezkzmecd4m7WZfnfwJo/w640-h294/mile%20end%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>On all three occasions I travelled by car. There is a car park at the southern end of the park, just off Rhodeswell Road which holds around 40 vehicles, plus there is the main leisure centre car park off Burdett Road. The current cost is £1.50 for two hours. There are also some side streets that allow parking at the weekends, notably the roads just to the south-west of the park including parts of Copperfield Road and others on the opposite side of the canal, just remember to check the signage closely. If using Google Maps for directions please note that using Rhodeswell Road as a destination may not get you to exactly the right spot as the road has been split in two since the end of the Second World War.</div><div><br /></div><div>Being in London, the area is well connected in terms of public transport. If travelling by bus, the 309 stops on Rhodeswell Road, which is the closest bus stop to the parkrun meeting point. The 277 and the D6 both stop outside the leisure centre. The 339 stops just on the other side of the canal. There are also some bus stops on Mile End Road which are served by the 25, 205, 425 and probably some others that I have missed. Mile End Road is also the location of Mile End Underground Station which is served by the Hammersmith & City, District, and Central lines. The closest National Rail station is Limehouse which is served by c2c trains between London Fenchurch Street and southern Essex including Southend. This same station is also served by the Docklands Light Railway (DLR).</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVqr-mlwAZwCDnEkuY21Q-2zJ2b0g3Bd6pqva_FnkRd4WMdn3d3jRrp8_JIxSrxuTRLCU1EMieXKXbrinvLsmCNLSaR01jLNw-9zunDmRaxzXvA6g81MNJQh8GrVS2cWqIz-0tRUUuzk6o9Ne10vDVmrc_Yd_-iGqSNZrmq3VchD1mFLtdKDx0BUxECs/s3264/mile%20end%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1502" data-original-width="3264" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVqr-mlwAZwCDnEkuY21Q-2zJ2b0g3Bd6pqva_FnkRd4WMdn3d3jRrp8_JIxSrxuTRLCU1EMieXKXbrinvLsmCNLSaR01jLNw-9zunDmRaxzXvA6g81MNJQh8GrVS2cWqIz-0tRUUuzk6o9Ne10vDVmrc_Yd_-iGqSNZrmq3VchD1mFLtdKDx0BUxECs/w640-h294/mile%20end%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The parkrun meeting point, start and finish are all located at the southern end of the park just off Rhodeswell Road, right next to Mile End stadium. Cyclists will find some bicycle racks outside the main entrance to the stadium, but if they fill up there is a section of the boundary fence that was used as an alternative. Upon arriving at the meeting point, Barnardo's old Ragged School building, which is now a museum is clearly visible. The words '<a href="https://raggedschoolmuseum.org.uk/" target="_blank">Ragged School Museum</a>' are in large letters along the top of the building. The stadium has toilets and showering facilities, although do bear in mind that the parkrun course page advises that they cannot guarantee access. For the record, the toilets have been available pre-parkrun every time I have visited.</div><div><br /></div><div>Interestingly the course has been different on all three of my visits. It has always taken place over two laps, and in 2013 it was an anti-clockwise route including a section alongside the canal. In 2022 it was the same course, but negotiated in a clockwise direction. However at the end of 2023 the course was changed to remove the canal section from the course, which makes sense because the towpath is pretty busy and the risk of an incident was probably pretty high, especially as the number of attendees continues to grow. The current course as of my 2024 visit is now effectively a double out-and-back along the park's meandering and gently undulating paths.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEphltDKCcLWB3_2IWr1ZJTZsH2sB5udrS3tv6sgRzxND4aNOC61o_wgvrrsCxO-9Yb1RFvxRSxu1ERApe6jCEZn8mUcy-xVSssDWOOoAtRJvqYcR_UREDsUQvHL1A6vcTLJXL-hzGiszvkKD2jBSBsumHflmk9iB50LjLcnh4eo5H_HLJ-xkAweEJETY/s3264/mile%20end%205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1502" data-original-width="3264" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEphltDKCcLWB3_2IWr1ZJTZsH2sB5udrS3tv6sgRzxND4aNOC61o_wgvrrsCxO-9Yb1RFvxRSxu1ERApe6jCEZn8mUcy-xVSssDWOOoAtRJvqYcR_UREDsUQvHL1A6vcTLJXL-hzGiszvkKD2jBSBsumHflmk9iB50LjLcnh4eo5H_HLJ-xkAweEJETY/w640-h294/mile%20end%205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Underfoot is entirely hard paths, so standard road shoes are always the correct choice. It is perfectly fine for participants who wish to take part with a buggy and also for wheelchair users. As for those undulations, my <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10685480058" target="_blank">GPS data on Strava</a> reports that it adds up to 35 metres of elevation gain over the full 5k course. The first timers' briefing takes place shortly before 9am and the main briefing is held once everyone is lined up at the start. In terms of numbers of participants, the event is currently attracting around 400 people each week. It was slightly elevated during my 2024 visit as the new year's resolutionists were still out in force, plus it was the event's 12th birthday.</div><div><br /></div><div>From the start, the parkrunners, parkwalkers and everybody in-between follow the main path which heads north. A really useful feature of this park is that the main path is divided into two separate paths by a central section of planting. Technically one is supposed to be for pedestrians and the other for cyclists, however for the purpose of parkrun, the left hand side is the 'out' path, while the right hand side is the 'back' path. It gently meanders as it progresses through the park, and every now and then there are a couple of rows of bricks set in the ground which I believe are probably there as a speed calming measure for cyclists.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZARzom2Gul1puh3sx7QC3e-HvZAIJLKuct-dxzpPF8fBLViiGVwk9oCpXIIrrVy9gPYu3garupmH_b1RtkADlvaJNHw5_8JrxtiyeUfPJS1XRFacyfVi-lKPes3rPq2j2PqjWg6u0l0MlQ5MZ318ZuVkmX5KwVgU-_SxFHsRgLRwTGhoUhd7FTjWO5mw/s3264/mile%20end%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1998" data-original-width="3264" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZARzom2Gul1puh3sx7QC3e-HvZAIJLKuct-dxzpPF8fBLViiGVwk9oCpXIIrrVy9gPYu3garupmH_b1RtkADlvaJNHw5_8JrxtiyeUfPJS1XRFacyfVi-lKPes3rPq2j2PqjWg6u0l0MlQ5MZ318ZuVkmX5KwVgU-_SxFHsRgLRwTGhoUhd7FTjWO5mw/w640-h392/mile%20end%206.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>There are marshals posted at key points along the course - notably at places where other paths intersect with the parkrun course. There are also some sections with cones to help guide the way. The park also has great views towards Canary Wharf and there are even a couple of spots where The Shard can be seen. There are a few notable features to the left and right of the path such as a small woodland walk, open children's play area, and a dog training area (it has the types of obstacles you would see at a dog show). Being a linear park, it's a fairly slim piece of parkland which covers the area running north-south on the eastern side of the Regent's Canal.</div><div><br /></div><div>Given that the park used to be home to hundreds of terraced houses and intersected by many roads, it is no surprise that there is still an element of fragmentation here, and the full length of the park is split into a number of sections. At one point the main thoroughfare Mile End Road cuts right across the park. In order to create a seamless connection across the road an innovative idea was put forward by a local resident and architect. The result was the creation of the 'Green Bridge'. The parkrun course course goes over this bridge, and it is totally possible that you could take part and not even realise you have just crossed the busy road beneath.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQF4v_f_AYdDrn107sJrUwQ-502su68UKj35ZXuBhBrcGIqb6WiCeunPec8Ptbi8YKQQQgvfg9C2s0YI8nMml3PYPBMyKHn9ICUH1HaAOqsCHhTgj9kO9jcVV_T1xc-iws0ZU5zwmUB9LEmEwE6Ah2dtpGwlgKNfjuguLNImoBzBqeIODWt7MQ9HqVno/s3264/mile%20end%207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1998" data-original-width="3264" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQF4v_f_AYdDrn107sJrUwQ-502su68UKj35ZXuBhBrcGIqb6WiCeunPec8Ptbi8YKQQQgvfg9C2s0YI8nMml3PYPBMyKHn9ICUH1HaAOqsCHhTgj9kO9jcVV_T1xc-iws0ZU5zwmUB9LEmEwE6Ah2dtpGwlgKNfjuguLNImoBzBqeIODWt7MQ9HqVno/w640-h392/mile%20end%207.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The main road also marks the boundary between Mile End and the neighbouring ward of West Bow. The path continues to meander with long sweeping curves as it works its way through the next section of the park. This contains the Arts Park and Pavilion, and if you take a quick glance over the hedge there is a beautifully laid out garden area with a bridge and a lovely lake. Just after this, the course reaches its turnaround point. Please note that there are posts in the ground which can be a bit tricky to negotiate, especially if you are within a large pack of parkrunners or being lapped. The return section takes place on the adjacent path, but it follows the exact same route all the way back to the start area. Once back at the start area, there's another turnaround point and the out-and-back is completed a second time.</div><div><br /></div><div>At the end of the second out-and-back, continuing on at the end of the path leads straight into the finish, and the funnel snakes around on the grass until reaching the point where position tokens are given out. Barcode scanning takes place immediately. Once all of the participants, marshals and tail walkers have returned to the meeting point and all the kit is packed away, the team move on to their post-event social venue. This is listed on the course page as being in the <a href="https://www.raggedcafe.com/" target="_blank">Ragged School Cafe</a> (the entry point is on the canal side of the building), but after our 2024 visit, the team headed to another venue whose name I can't quite remember.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv83HNeXMwMsG-dfCL7XHfB2FFf_TjQ2Yn_LBV2qTtWMqW5sx9khJN1i-JsgkqBTFfpkxVZ0lyy9Oh_-On8-KtcEvFqKVGoxdlZX3DM340mdlOWajxLDnJqBwg0bM9ILO3SOvrpzpCN51XXaYjrBoLTfBiqsQXDYrzegYKxfcoPqIRNxrr3Mc-0DaDABM/s3264/mile%20end%208.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1309" data-original-width="3264" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv83HNeXMwMsG-dfCL7XHfB2FFf_TjQ2Yn_LBV2qTtWMqW5sx9khJN1i-JsgkqBTFfpkxVZ0lyy9Oh_-On8-KtcEvFqKVGoxdlZX3DM340mdlOWajxLDnJqBwg0bM9ILO3SOvrpzpCN51XXaYjrBoLTfBiqsQXDYrzegYKxfcoPqIRNxrr3Mc-0DaDABM/w640-h256/mile%20end%208.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>After the event, it is worth exploring the park further as the parkrun doesn't cover the entire park. Of course you could take a walk along the canal or explore the nearby cemetery. There is also a go-kart track next to the park, but if you fancy visiting you may need to book in advance. On this occasion we took a walk over the <a href="https://stepneycityfarm.org/" target="_blank">Stepney City Farm</a>, which I thought was very nice. Entry is free and they have an on-site cafe. The parkrun results were published a short time later and there were 522 finishers at <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/mileend/results/552/" target="_blank">event number 552</a>. I'm a big fan of this venue and I love the park's back story, which is quite similar to Burgess Park's, in south east London (you can read that write-up here: <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2021/09/burgess-parkrun.html" target="_blank">Burgess parkrun</a>). A final thanks goes to all the locals and volunteers who made us feel so welcome.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Related Links:</b></div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10685480058" target="_blank">My GPS course data</a> (2024 course)</li><li><a href="https://youtu.be/Tsk03pMdw0A?si=vmaO5lUctVLb_tc-" target="_blank">My Relive course fly-by video</a> (2024 course)</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/7026641472" target="_blank">My GPS course data</a> (2022 course - no longer in use)</li><li><a href="https://youtu.be/1Xw4PXFaSAw?si=lViQE2wuvxQlET5O" target="_blank">My Relive course fly-by video</a> (2022 course - no longer in use)</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/82277855" target="_blank">My GPS course data</a> (2013 course - no longer in use)</li><li><a href="https://youtu.be/iSXutPEb__I?si=Ty0qlIcj-BiWzyGz" target="_blank">My Relive course fly-by video</a> (2013 course - no longer in use)</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-london-parkruns.html" target="_blank">The London parkrun venues</a> (blog page)</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2013/09/mile-end-parkrun.html" target="_blank">My old Mile End parkrun blog</a> (2013 and updated in 2022)</li></ul></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>copy7thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07869260780729697873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8778671273358983652.post-48730087553363584002024-01-24T11:18:00.003+00:002024-01-29T16:01:30.495+00:00Peckham Rye parkrunPeckham sits within the <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-london-parkruns.html" target="_blank">London</a> Borough of Southwark, in south east <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-london-parkruns.html" target="_blank">London</a> and has a population of around 71,000 people. It was recorded in the Domesday book as Pecheham. The name is thought to have come from the old English words 'peac' and 'ham', indicating a homestead by a peak (or hill) and the area is also home to one of London's lost rivers, the River Peck. It is thought that the river was named after the settlement. There is also evidence of a Roman settlement in the area, probably a 'vicus' (village or administrative settlement).<div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5gpU7-LCGve9kr2r4bI6iK4NktIRj0YQtSPWynclC1yYLhw_N1Zf8tEEOxWQdXdpnbaqVt9b1s7cPnLto97_Wh4NlFCMj_6kOUoIsiC4jIsGjwuyQW2xSzm9TrBBP7-__OaVRCf6lFXl223uKqdnFEGI3hdHGOx-hSs0mxGhBQVRWLAy6q8GdCEy4tS8/s3264/peckham%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1431" data-original-width="3264" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5gpU7-LCGve9kr2r4bI6iK4NktIRj0YQtSPWynclC1yYLhw_N1Zf8tEEOxWQdXdpnbaqVt9b1s7cPnLto97_Wh4NlFCMj_6kOUoIsiC4jIsGjwuyQW2xSzm9TrBBP7-__OaVRCf6lFXl223uKqdnFEGI3hdHGOx-hSs0mxGhBQVRWLAy6q8GdCEy4tS8/w640-h280/peckham%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>In the 12th century, the Manor of Peckham was owned by William the Conqueror's fourth son, King Henry I. The King gave the manor to his illegitimate son Robert FitzRoy, 1st Earl of Gloucester. Upon the Earl's marriage to the heiress of the neighbouring Manor of Camberwell, the two manors became united. Peckham is said to have been used as hunting grounds by King John in the 13th century and he later granted Peckham an annual fair. By the 16th century, Peckham had started to become popular as a wealthy residential area. It was also surrounded by many farms - mostly small holdings called market gardens, and orchards, where the produce could easily be transported to the markets in the centre of London. In the 19th century the place was described as a 'small, quiet, retired village surrounded by fields'.</div><div><br />The railway came to Peckham in 1865 which provided easy access to the centre of London for workers, and by 1868 almost all of the local fields had been lost to housing. So the vestry of Camberwell St Giles bought an area of common land in the Peckham Rye area to protect it from being developed, and to ensure the local population had a green space to use for recreation. However, the common was so popular that it became dangerously overcrowded, so the vestry then purchased the adjacent Homestall Farm (the last remaining farm in the area) and in 1894 Peckham Rye Park opened. Shortly after this, in 1905, the H.J. Heinz company opened its first UK factory in Peckham.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoH7BPNvoxmTxMsDwknGBilBwgokoyahnCFSGG-xdSiFXimrS7AI7QgbjKQsFaX6zkniihDvza0y6bcgGb3N88j9aDFgAeRU14HP_zTojRxYiY-dKOKEDZ9bDyzcq75VLwUGIqLbJM7ptZVWuvFERK9ZUeZR2ZLY2mpws9tbUYhgRVLZYmzm6aIIFl7sc/s3264/peckham%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1431" data-original-width="3264" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoH7BPNvoxmTxMsDwknGBilBwgokoyahnCFSGG-xdSiFXimrS7AI7QgbjKQsFaX6zkniihDvza0y6bcgGb3N88j9aDFgAeRU14HP_zTojRxYiY-dKOKEDZ9bDyzcq75VLwUGIqLbJM7ptZVWuvFERK9ZUeZR2ZLY2mpws9tbUYhgRVLZYmzm6aIIFl7sc/w640-h280/peckham%202.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div>Post-war Peckham saw many high rise residential buildings built including the infamous North Peckham Estate - this went on to become one of the most deprived residential areas in Europe, but has now been demolished and replaced with a better housing solution. It was the location of the murder of 10-year-old Damilola Taylor in November 2000. One of his friends, and one of the last people to see him alive, was the actor John Boyega, who is most well-known for his role as Finn in the Star Wars movie franchise. Peckham was also the fictional setting for the much-loved sitcoms 'Desmond's' and 'Only Fools and Horses'. In more recent times it was the setting for 'Apple TV's series 'Youngers' as well as the films 'Rye Lane' and 'I used to be famous'.</div><div><br /></div><div>During the latter part of the 20th century, Peckham Rye Park suffered from years of neglect and maintenance was a low priority. However, in the early noughties the park was awarded a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £2,461000 to pay for restoration works. The park and the common are contiguous but still retain their own identities; The 64 acres of common, which is predominately open grass, covers the northernmost section of this picturesque triangular open green space, while the 49 acre park, which is laid out in a typical Victorian fashion, sits to the south. It is this southern section called 'Peckham Rye Park' that provides a home to Peckham's free, weekly, timed 5 kilometre event called <a href="http://www.parkrun.org.uk/peckhamrye/">Peckham Rye parkrun</a>. It is open to all abilities including those who wish to walk and wheelchair users. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPR5eHvNU-MW3bUg_4Kz-yGAEZq2OK130Gume2qEn1VJi8f63G964Ilq_D87Ah-mMvHyQPl85C-9HI8jTBa-QJ9nDaIW13qC12bsUzLMeFu2IxsZ4nGGcmDMZtC_B93WUKVI77wOHlOE938Ij2UY1DP-mrA65cMUcHD1JsDX9LIj8Xt47vk8S-dN_kN-w/s3264/peckham%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1431" data-original-width="3264" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPR5eHvNU-MW3bUg_4Kz-yGAEZq2OK130Gume2qEn1VJi8f63G964Ilq_D87Ah-mMvHyQPl85C-9HI8jTBa-QJ9nDaIW13qC12bsUzLMeFu2IxsZ4nGGcmDMZtC_B93WUKVI77wOHlOE938Ij2UY1DP-mrA65cMUcHD1JsDX9LIj8Xt47vk8S-dN_kN-w/w640-h280/peckham%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I first took part in Peckham Rye parkrun at the <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/peckhamrye/results/1/" target="_blank">inaugural event</a> on 21 June 2014, and revisited to take part at <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/peckhamrye/results/442/" target="_blank">event number 442</a> on 20 January 2024. If travelling by car, the obvious parking option is to use the designated parking areas which are accessed via Straker's Road. It is possible to park in the marked bays on the road itself or in the car park which has approximately 35 spaces - the parking facilities here require payment and this is done via PayByPhone. In the period between my visits the original car park has been redeveloped into a playground and a new, smaller car park created. The other option is to use one of the side streets to the south of the park (the area around Colyton Road) which are all completely free of restrictions. The <a href="https://www.southwark.gov.uk/parks-and-open-spaces/parks/peckham-rye-park-and-common" target="_blank">Southwark Council website</a> says the car park has designated bicycle racks, but I couldn't see any in that location. There are however a few sets of racks dotted around the park.</div><div><br /></div><div>For travel via public transport, the 12, 63, 78, 197, 343 and 484 buses will get you to Peckham Rye. If using trains, please note that there is no London underground service that serves the area. There is, however, a London Overground service that stops at Honor Oak Park station. This station is also served by Southern mainline trains. The onward walk is about a mile, but be warned that it is a hilly route. Peckham Rye station is in the middle of Peckham's main shopping street, and provides another Overground and mainline option, where it is served by Southeastern and Thameslink trains as is Nunhead station. East Dulwich which is served by Southern trains is also nearby. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1g4BTtQFjZ-yjFrqaQSPz1-WiIFTW-oga38Ssc5A2XGPE46y3EJdIHB-ot_zv2Z2RS5LYNXTFshp6_mNjmoDutaN7xQJ_XtTng_CjXletgk_RCiVmU1B15Zpnt7jEl3ib7jjsYKnOxEu95KgPazdYNbn3dXi0RwQ0jQpVI5pquiKr7r6UT4hgEW6lr-0/s3264/peckham%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2020" data-original-width="3264" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1g4BTtQFjZ-yjFrqaQSPz1-WiIFTW-oga38Ssc5A2XGPE46y3EJdIHB-ot_zv2Z2RS5LYNXTFshp6_mNjmoDutaN7xQJ_XtTng_CjXletgk_RCiVmU1B15Zpnt7jEl3ib7jjsYKnOxEu95KgPazdYNbn3dXi0RwQ0jQpVI5pquiKr7r6UT4hgEW6lr-0/w640-h396/peckham%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The park has toilet facilities and these can be found adjacent to the car park, just off Straker's Road - the toilets didn't seem to have their opening times listed, but the gates to the park officially open at 7.30am, so they may be opened at around the same time.</div><div><br /></div><div>The parkrun meeting point / start and finish area, can be found towards the southern end of the park near Colyton Road. The participants and volunteers gather on the main path, not far from the 'Two Trees' crossroads. The two trees are in fact an English Oak and a Common Ash tree. The briefings take place on the main path and at 9am the parkrun gets underway. The course consists of three anti-clockwise laps with a short tail which joins the loop to the start/finish area. It is 100% tarmac underfoot so road shoes will always be the best footwear option. The park is almost perfectly flat, and it is absolutely fine for wheelchair users and those who wish to participate with a buggy.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6ZhRNTlG-hWMkwEtoLOqnGY9P5wEymCe4kfxLKdprbajmDS2PDQu248r2W5QeCSsJMcm_Ny6iDeYAJ7OY8kk2pTLfwTZcQvE-jEZvLsFA0VLwvvkNNdpSXDHyq_eoEt6xFKHcaMBcHYkA_a4UFVDIN-sanxHVABOLCElPCBl-EfDQuhHZhjM7tXrjBg/s3264/peckham%205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2020" data-original-width="3264" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6ZhRNTlG-hWMkwEtoLOqnGY9P5wEymCe4kfxLKdprbajmDS2PDQu248r2W5QeCSsJMcm_Ny6iDeYAJ7OY8kk2pTLfwTZcQvE-jEZvLsFA0VLwvvkNNdpSXDHyq_eoEt6xFKHcaMBcHYkA_a4UFVDIN-sanxHVABOLCElPCBl-EfDQuhHZhjM7tXrjBg/w640-h396/peckham%205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>From the start, the course heads a short distance north along the nice wide path before bearing right when the paths divide at the picnic area & arboretum. The 1.7 kilometre lap goes past most of the park's features with the next being a small children's playground. Shortly after, the course passes the first of multiple locations within the park where the River Peck is visible - the rest of the river was enclosed as the area became heavily populated and is now one of London's hidden underground rivers. The highest source of the river is a short distance to the south-east, on One Tree Hill (next to Honor Oak station). Here stands the Oak of Honor - This name was given to it after Elizabeth I picnicked beneath it. The current oak was planted in 1905.</div><div><br /></div><div>Upon reaching the perimeter path at the Homestall Road side of the park, the course takes a couple of left hand turns as it circumnavigates the park's adventure playground. The path that runs along the northeastern section of the course meanders gently from left to right before passing the skate park and the outdoor gym. This is immediately followed by the crossing of a small stone bridge across the River Peck. I'd advise being cautious while crossing the bridge as there is a risk of clipping your hip on the stone wall as you turn right to join the pond-side path. The route continues along the northern and western banks of the pond, which is home to all the usual kinds of pond-dwelling wildlife. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUB4nD38A_SnJUGleBBHyW1bXvcBiM4ueVi2xDxsB03Ha8wMfeSx65EgMk7razqkcTbsIW2WrxYWVXK-IYzlVWNIL84vNribNf2paWZSZ594gyE94bkl0jMo3QgP78bqnrqof_IsailekCQ38ehmwdGkdXy4aHaA4NaaOy96wFSHW2NjWM2GHw7oZ4Pw/s3264/peckham%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1832" data-original-width="3264" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUB4nD38A_SnJUGleBBHyW1bXvcBiM4ueVi2xDxsB03Ha8wMfeSx65EgMk7razqkcTbsIW2WrxYWVXK-IYzlVWNIL84vNribNf2paWZSZ594gyE94bkl0jMo3QgP78bqnrqof_IsailekCQ38ehmwdGkdXy4aHaA4NaaOy96wFSHW2NjWM2GHw7oZ4Pw/w640-h360/peckham%206.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Next up is the American Garden, and then the Sexby Garden - this was named after the park's original designer, Lt.Col. J.J Sexby - Chief Officer of Parks to the London County Council, who served until 1910. This garden is laid out in a formal style. A feature of the garden is a very old Ginkgo Biloba tree which has distinctive two-part leaves (this tree is the large one on the corner as you turn right next to the bowling green).</div><div><br /></div><div>The course has a few twists and turns in this section, but the route is very clearly signed and marshalled, so the risk of taking a wrong turn is very slim. A detail that really makes this park stand out are the formal cast iron railings which really give it that typical formal Victorian park feeling. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1R4MkQWlJI68moATorEidYlfzKU3olqF9XprM2T-_9TOEo3ZREP4YyXdv98vWHoU0wGdtLuKAZy7roy6hy2-q6g9FN50bclc7jagW89YgxZ5fyJUMwMwIG7hZF8KtroPTDH2nBsiL-1yNyDurr4_CrclkliX_5TBtP3wMl4ObMvGR9BsecUbURS0Up0/s3264/peckham%207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1832" data-original-width="3264" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1R4MkQWlJI68moATorEidYlfzKU3olqF9XprM2T-_9TOEo3ZREP4YyXdv98vWHoU0wGdtLuKAZy7roy6hy2-q6g9FN50bclc7jagW89YgxZ5fyJUMwMwIG7hZF8KtroPTDH2nBsiL-1yNyDurr4_CrclkliX_5TBtP3wMl4ObMvGR9BsecUbURS0Up0/w640-h360/peckham%207.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The course continues past the Japanese Garden (c.1908) which is home to a Maple Tree complete with red leaves in the autumn and pale leaves in the spring/summer. As if that wasn't enough gardens, next up is the rockery and then the Ornamental Pond Garden. The twists and turns on this course just keep coming and they continue through the next section called 'The Oval' (no, not the cricket ground, although that is only a short distance away). It is another nicely laid out garden area which as the name suggests, is oval shaped. The final part of the lap leaves the proper formal gardens and the area to the right opens up into sprawling open grass fields, with a small woodland area designed to encourage wildlife. This completes the lap. </div><div><br /></div><div>Once the three laps have been completed, the course turns down the tail section where the finish can be found. Barcode scanning takes place straight after and the results appear online a short while later. I recorded the course with my Garmin and the <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10592733697" target="_blank">GPS data</a> can be found on Strava. For the record, the course as of 2024 is identical to the course that was in use when I first visited in 2014. I used the course data to create a <a href="https://youtu.be/tMpR_kYOKbM?si=BDZLQrDgOVt7q8rr" target="_blank">Relive course fly-by video</a> and that is also available to view online. Being a three lap course, after a while the participants start to get mixed up as the faster crowd starts catching up to, and lapping, the rest. So whether you're at the front or the back, it's worth trying to stay focused on what's going on around you.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLT257T2_OX-eUJv-0evc-32ieo4HekrO9KU1KcgCIB83AAnPeC7SS_rYao868cNLGNy1y3HFb7fHWQE2p3pCa5IMC3mKIx7skRZkPOYnBxoI39wd4lqA-EHiSDEnsiasNILLGvlkg4KkyrFr_vnyQgAFXXLYxoDC5QS_q_k1DYvAAelSQVngpM_DYsA/s3264/peckham%208.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1884" data-original-width="3264" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLT257T2_OX-eUJv-0evc-32ieo4HekrO9KU1KcgCIB83AAnPeC7SS_rYao868cNLGNy1y3HFb7fHWQE2p3pCa5IMC3mKIx7skRZkPOYnBxoI39wd4lqA-EHiSDEnsiasNILLGvlkg4KkyrFr_vnyQgAFXXLYxoDC5QS_q_k1DYvAAelSQVngpM_DYsA/w640-h370/peckham%208.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>An interesting event takes place each year, usually in September - The four parkruns in the London Borough of Southwark have an event called the 'Southwark Slam'. This is where people are invited to visit all four of Southwark's 5k parkruns (<a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/burgess/" target="_blank">Burgess</a>, <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/southwark/" target="_blank">Southwark</a>, <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/peckhamrye/" target="_blank">Peckham Rye</a>, and <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/dulwich/" target="_blank">Dulwich</a>) during the month. A brilliant idea which I'd imagine really helps to maintain a great community between the four venues.</div><div><br /></div><div>After the parkrun, there is the opportunity to have some refreshments in the cafe called <a href="https://www.colicci.co.uk/locations/peckham-rye-park" target="_blank">The Round</a> (formerly cafe on the rye) which is run by the same family who run The Pheasantry in <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2023/02/bushy-parkrun.html" target="_blank">Bushy Park</a>. I'd describe the pricing as 'premium'. It is located next to the new playground and faces onto the Peckham Rye Common side of the park. During the second world war, huts were erected on Peckham Rye Common to detain Italian prisoners of war. One of these huts was still standing when I first visited, but they have all now been removed.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq68zJT64kX61ulZtzlrHxYGYgIMRHAQ5ui9xBs7Jo5Sj4tH2M-xLwLPUoSXCvrDlyxDcExw5iUpqfpv_pUH4rznzoVYw8E1vgxXRb5XdysxCmPZ1P9Zh6t1x3eAqGrbaP0qjap0p15TJfFxQWd_D9_CZRJ-77PXvNSzvSAkFdZNpSIZcl3lL8OgLdxzQ/s3264/peckham%209.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1425" data-original-width="3264" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq68zJT64kX61ulZtzlrHxYGYgIMRHAQ5ui9xBs7Jo5Sj4tH2M-xLwLPUoSXCvrDlyxDcExw5iUpqfpv_pUH4rznzoVYw8E1vgxXRb5XdysxCmPZ1P9Zh6t1x3eAqGrbaP0qjap0p15TJfFxQWd_D9_CZRJ-77PXvNSzvSAkFdZNpSIZcl3lL8OgLdxzQ/w640-h280/peckham%209.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br />If you are looking for sampling a bit of Peckham's unique culture, it is worth heading over to the main shopping area 'Rye Lane' where you will most-likely bump into all sorts of colourful characters. The southern end of the street is quite rough with lots of graffiti and boarded-up shops, while the northern end features more of the standard high street chain stores. Mixed in amongst the two are some independent shops plus the occasional trendy bar or cafe. There is supposed to be a colony of feral cats living just behind some of the shops - I had a look and I saw evidence of some shelters built for them, but couldn't find any of the cats (I read they may have been neutered a few years back, so this may explain it).</div><div><br /></div><div>Just off Rye Lane is an independent cinema called <a href="https://www.peckhamplex.london/" target="_blank">Peckhamplex</a>, which occupies an old Sainsburys (we used to go shopping there when I was really young). Anyway the cinema prides itself on its low ticket prices which as of 2024 are £5.99 plus 60p booking fee. It also hosts film premieres such as the aforementioned film 'Rye Lane'. Just behind the cinema is an old multi-story car park which has been repurposed into a cultural centre called <a href="https://peckhamlevels.org/" target="_blank">Peckham Levels</a>. It hosts theatrical and musical performances, workshops, art exhibitions, has a food court and a few bars. Plus it has a great view towards the centre of London.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you head slightly to the south, you can visit One Tree Hill (mentioned above), or head east and you will find Nunhead Cemetery which is one of London's '<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnificent_Seven_cemeteries" target="_blank">Magnificent Seven</a>' cemeteries.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFDB7NQjce35Ni6X38oKxELAVujKAX7Q0EGFiO1MOI6Y5OHsC5Bp4SN9WBWBJE4D5m9QWSwPfnTJFQW7PPnvLDQLGBm2ygZGV4xJK_9cT0WFq6zE9iIxzEIWsnYRbiW7UAlmTUfcPjm_em4b6ZS7Qh_pxASracMxeRtahEYyGGshJQdosWc3fJKFJ6Qg/s3264/peckham%2010.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1425" data-original-width="3264" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFDB7NQjce35Ni6X38oKxELAVujKAX7Q0EGFiO1MOI6Y5OHsC5Bp4SN9WBWBJE4D5m9QWSwPfnTJFQW7PPnvLDQLGBm2ygZGV4xJK_9cT0WFq6zE9iIxzEIWsnYRbiW7UAlmTUfcPjm_em4b6ZS7Qh_pxASracMxeRtahEYyGGshJQdosWc3fJKFJ6Qg/w640-h280/peckham%2010.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Turning attention back to the parkrun... In terms of attendees, Peckham Rye parkrun has an average weekly attendance of around 300 people. However, when we visited in January 2024 (<a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/peckhamrye/results/442/" target="_blank">event 442</a>) there were 428 participants - the increased turnout being down to the new year's resolutionists. It really is a great little park which deserves to be seen and enjoyed, and having the parkrun here gives a few more people a reason to pay it a visit. I've really enjoyed both of my visits here. Finally, a huge thank you must go to all of the volunteers that made the event possible.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Related Links:</b></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10592733697" target="_blank">My GPS course data</a> (2024)</div><div><a href="https://youtu.be/tMpR_kYOKbM?si=BDZLQrDgOVt7q8rr" target="_blank">The Relive Course Fly-by Video</a> (2024)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/156111042" target="_blank">My original GPS data</a> (2014) (exactly the same course)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-london-parkruns.html" target="_blank">The London parkrun Venues</a> (blog7t page)</div><div><br /></div><div>Other Southwark Slam venue write-ups:</div><div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2021/09/burgess-parkrun.html" target="_blank">Burgess parkrun</a> (2021)</li><li><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2017/01/dulwich-parkrun.html" target="_blank">Dulwich parkrun</a> (2017)</li><li><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2023/09/southwark-parkrun.html" target="_blank">Southwark parkrun</a> (2023)</li><li><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2024/01/peckham-rye-parkrun.html" target="_blank">Peckham Rye parkrun</a> (2024)</li></ul></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>copy7thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07869260780729697873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8778671273358983652.post-1428160357533928362023-12-30T18:08:00.003+00:002023-12-30T18:21:04.073+00:00Harrow parkrunHarrow is a town that sits within the <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-london-parkruns.html" target="_blank">London</a> Borough of Harrow, in the north west of London and has a population of around 150,000 people.<div><br /></div><div>Historically, the town was centred on the Harrow-on-the-Hill area, which is the oldest and most ancient part of Harrow, and features a number of conservation areas. The earliest recorded version of the name is 'Harrowe atte Hille'. The name is said to come from the Old English word 'Hearg' which would indicate a heathen temple, probably on the site of the Grade I Listed St Mary's Church which stands at the top of the aforementioned hill. The summit of the hill is at 124m (408 feet) which is the thirteenth highest point (of land) in the whole of <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-london-parkruns.html" target="_blank">London</a>. It is notable that within the list of 'highest points in London that are over 100 metres', it is the only isolated hill. The others are all part of escarpments/ridges. The church is noted as being the highest building in Middlesex.</div><div><br /></div><div>The hilltop is also the location of the prestigious public school 'Harrow School'. It was founded in 1572 and is one of the leading independent schools in the country. It can count seven former British prime ministers amongst its former students, the most-famous of them being Sir Winston Churchill. It also has three nobel prize winners and members of various royal families amongst its alumni.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFa6TTMXx7or1v8Xld6wo_F_8m5H16-1Z94QH-yyLMmbdALX14LtpuQVzWfpBJcg5E2CLGD2UReBjfh22tPKK8rOUQBYdjPC5nZnTFSFay_VSLRvLrkOGdb6utFZAzde56M_jLFbJwMNak5jwtA2fFX9jndu47-90XEre1hbPCw1Bq5oVwK8XB0IMd3AI/s3264/Harrow%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1419" data-original-width="3264" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFa6TTMXx7or1v8Xld6wo_F_8m5H16-1Z94QH-yyLMmbdALX14LtpuQVzWfpBJcg5E2CLGD2UReBjfh22tPKK8rOUQBYdjPC5nZnTFSFay_VSLRvLrkOGdb6utFZAzde56M_jLFbJwMNak5jwtA2fFX9jndu47-90XEre1hbPCw1Bq5oVwK8XB0IMd3AI/w640-h278/Harrow%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The areas around the hill were traditionally used largely for farming, but the arrival of the railways in the 19th century provided the catalyst for the town's expansion. Like many outer-London areas the farmland was bought and houses built. The expansion of north-west London (and beyond) along the Metropolitan railway was known as Metroland and Harrow was unofficially thought of as its capital.</div><div><br /></div><div>In 1890, Harrow became home to the first Kodak photographic manufacturing plant to be built outside the United States, and it also had a research and development department. It was the largest Kodak factory in the UK and in its heyday employed around 6,00 people. Owing to the falling demand for traditional photography equipment including the film and photographic paper produced here, the factory was slowly wound down. In 2016 it closed completely, and the site has now been developed into a residential development called Eastman Village - named after George Eastman who was one of Kodak's founders. If you look around there are many other nods to the world of photography in the names of the roads.</div><div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxBrAIUufgopLqsQOSBJOXYYgcMDqOaPE1t24qt-Mk5dIkOzaFSL3Aom-nv-kZhjo1sDAhD5J6PzT__d-ZAZMsjYGAHDtyjpcP5sc5WbQ5fZD4MYDLxJ5DePYyRaVQSim43ZSZi6SXbOXmHL8QFh3lwQtCQAw-UnRTngZKyOl1Dp6XreyyNgUOHY3PCo/s3264/Harrow%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1516" data-original-width="3264" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxBrAIUufgopLqsQOSBJOXYYgcMDqOaPE1t24qt-Mk5dIkOzaFSL3Aom-nv-kZhjo1sDAhD5J6PzT__d-ZAZMsjYGAHDtyjpcP5sc5WbQ5fZD4MYDLxJ5DePYyRaVQSim43ZSZi6SXbOXmHL8QFh3lwQtCQAw-UnRTngZKyOl1Dp6XreyyNgUOHY3PCo/w640-h298/Harrow%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>With the expansion of the town rapidly taking place, it was deemed necessary to ensure some land was reserved for recreation and sports, so one of the assistant headmasters from Harrow School started a campaign to raise the funds required to purchase some land for that purpose. In 1885 Harrow Recreation Ground was opened to the public. The original park consisted of only the south field, but extra plots were acquired later which increased the park to its current size. During its early history it was home to many local sports clubs including 4 cricket clubs, 5 football clubs, 29 tennis clubs and a bowling club that largely carries through to this day.</div><div><br /></div><div>The facilities in the park have evolved with the sports & recreation fashions and trends throughout the past 140-or-so years. Part of the park that is now football pitches once housed grass tennis courts, then became used for croquet. There is now a children's play area where there was once a putting green, and back in the 1960s a golf course was created but this has since been removed. On 9 May 2015, the park became home to a free, weekly, timed 5 kilometre event (open to all abilities including those who wish to walk) called <a href="http://www.parkrun.org.uk/harrow/" target="_blank">Harrow parkrun</a> and this of course is continuing the strong tradition of the park being home to sports, recreation and most importantly, community.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XMWMZJebTQNRzlPkhZhz_cOcsU6nvCCrh__7IgCvgjnYYU7vCn0CzsJ4DtsAkWVCNxG9SBdAX_LM5dvSmDncfp8_E-E6dsYTTs3JuMJv7rKb1rXtpelb_GbAv25-RiFHp9XzImBB8PmdYwF8iKV8STMe3ltKk4QHR-lIoUF9QxE0GiBgAbx5qNt_jV8/s3264/Harrow%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1516" data-original-width="3264" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XMWMZJebTQNRzlPkhZhz_cOcsU6nvCCrh__7IgCvgjnYYU7vCn0CzsJ4DtsAkWVCNxG9SBdAX_LM5dvSmDncfp8_E-E6dsYTTs3JuMJv7rKb1rXtpelb_GbAv25-RiFHp9XzImBB8PmdYwF8iKV8STMe3ltKk4QHR-lIoUF9QxE0GiBgAbx5qNt_jV8/w640-h298/Harrow%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>We <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2015/12/harrow-parkrun.html" target="_blank">first visited</a> this venue on 12 December 2015 and took part in event number 32 where there were 91 finishers. On 30 December 2023 we revisited and took part in event number 380. We travelled to the venue in 2015 by taking the London Underground's Metropolitan Line to Harrow-on-the-Hill station, which is just a short walk from the park (check out the cool cycle lane which runs through the underpass underneath the main road). The station is also served by Chiltern Railways national rail trains running on the London to Aylesbury line. Harrow is also well served by buses and these include the numbers 114, 140, 183, 223, H19 and a few others that I have most-likely missed.</div><div><br /></div><div>If travelling by car (as we did in 2023), there are two main options for parking. The first is to use the free-of-charge car park within Harrow Recreation Ground, which is accessed from Roxborough Road on the eastern side of the park. This car park has space for approximately 40 vehicles, so you'd need to arrive reasonably early to be guaranteed a space. Roxborough Road itself has parking restricted to permit holders only. The other option for parking in the vicinity of the park is to head over to the residential roads to the west of the park. The best spots are going to be in the Beresford Road area where the side streets are restriction free. Finally, there are a few bicycle racks within the car park.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKYbjjOxj0Tli533M7-Bjq_OUhbuAYsQknv-lzcUOUFFgh7o5u7P7BaDjmoQWmBeWHJIswZpcIl_9sLv3AF2ImJ7ZEWcAocWLSWwGCHImzjpa8Oo7tn01sTBqIyVRYlm39gSZNutzxRpsQgOY37MRTscdWPdVmXO21F2sgw701lYEoUktaQV-Jk6L7wA/s3264/Harrow%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1516" data-original-width="3264" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKYbjjOxj0Tli533M7-Bjq_OUhbuAYsQknv-lzcUOUFFgh7o5u7P7BaDjmoQWmBeWHJIswZpcIl_9sLv3AF2ImJ7ZEWcAocWLSWwGCHImzjpa8Oo7tn01sTBqIyVRYlm39gSZNutzxRpsQgOY37MRTscdWPdVmXO21F2sgw701lYEoUktaQV-Jk6L7wA/w640-h298/Harrow%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The participants and volunteers gather in the south east corner of the park at the Harrow St Mary's pavilion, which is next to the entrance closest to the town centre. Changing rooms and toilets are available for use inside the pavilion building where you can also leave any personal belongings. The park also has some regular public toilets and these are located next to the Hindes Road entrance (not far from the playground), however these were not open before or after parkrun when we visited in December 2023. Both the first timers' and main briefings take place directly outside the pavilion, after which everybody moves around to the start line.</div><div><br /></div><div>The parkrun takes place over three anti-clockwise laps, but note that lap 1 is slightly different to laps 2 and 3. It is almost flat, but does feature some relatively long and gentle changes in elevation which according to Strava adds up to 46 metres of elevation change over the full 5 kilometres. Underfoot is 100% tarmac paths, so road shoes are always the best footwear option. The course is absolutely fine for buggies and for wheelchair users. My <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10460414635" target="_blank">GPS course data</a> and the <a href="https://youtu.be/G0AafAmS33k?si=o3GFBPY55U_Syk9g" target="_blank">Relive course fly-by video</a> can both be viewed if you require a more visual representation of the course. It seems to be quite a resilient course and I understand the event has only ever had to be cancelled once, which was due to ice on the paths.</div><div><br /></div><div>The parkrun starts in the south east corner of the park and heads to the north through an avenue of lime trees which is unsurprisingly called Lime Avenue. The end of the avenue is where the course passes the car park and playground. On lap one only, once past the playground, the course takes a little detour where it breaks off from the perimeter path and does a loop around the central grass area which is home to the park's cafe and Harrow Bowls Club. It then rejoins the perimeter path outside the playground. If you happen to be towards the front or the back of the pack, there is a short stretch where you will mingle and have to cross each other's paths.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcigcFIgFhyphenhyphenkgq7bVygzq3M2FukGnmKR0Y9toMaqqvBIkk8d4wLer7ZnlVUW7NOi4gLWsb1vzybpTKUc-UR2xsVPyMmUEEJYnXi_ddwLZ_dxWLS5Y8ETY412cyzaY4l0bxoCplHIIfD1L2RV6_6r6G2_e-DSOc-Oh5UgOGLgKjXbaw8HaowiN2jkZaBmA/s3264/Harrow%205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1516" data-original-width="3264" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcigcFIgFhyphenhyphenkgq7bVygzq3M2FukGnmKR0Y9toMaqqvBIkk8d4wLer7ZnlVUW7NOi4gLWsb1vzybpTKUc-UR2xsVPyMmUEEJYnXi_ddwLZ_dxWLS5Y8ETY412cyzaY4l0bxoCplHIIfD1L2RV6_6r6G2_e-DSOc-Oh5UgOGLgKjXbaw8HaowiN2jkZaBmA/w640-h298/Harrow%205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Once that section is out of the way, the rest of the parkrun course sticks to the park's perimeter paths. The lap continues by passing the toilet block and this is where the long, gentle incline starts. The steepest gradient my Garmin picked up was around 3% incline. This continues as you pass the sports fields to the left. There is a path which cuts across the park, which is lined with oaks; these are the Mayoral Oaks and since 1990 a new one has been planted by each successive Mayor. The parkrun goes straight past and onwards until reaching the park's north east corner. This is the highest point of the course and with a quick glance to the left you can see across to Harrow-on-the-Hill and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Mary%27s,_Harrow_on_the_Hill" target="_blank">St. Mary's Church</a> spire. </div><div><br /></div><div>Following the perimeter path along the park's northern path, the course starts to ever-so-gently drop downhill, and this continues as the course turns onto the western perimeter path. It passes the tennis courts and the sensory garden, and then to the right is Harrow Cemetery. At this point the course starts to rise again, but it is so slight you may not even notice it. The final part of the lap goes past the Pinner Road entrance with its grand cast iron gates which were installed to commemorate the coronation of King George V.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVuoDZWb8WQwnQEKFAahjnesZ87geM6DbdWXTlwZqQbPD2vJwccQlsAzqoIzeuon28bDWxEZd_Kr0ug0F0NsjoC2jytR8HM14PO7weKbNpu57eA__UXmYGWreJKKRE2qy5M-Jo9nH4XQc5rD3hYETB6ycCPxd6oFXbdfowwh6z2kUNcF8IM9tnFOkG-Q/s3264/Harrow%206.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1516" data-original-width="3264" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVuoDZWb8WQwnQEKFAahjnesZ87geM6DbdWXTlwZqQbPD2vJwccQlsAzqoIzeuon28bDWxEZd_Kr0ug0F0NsjoC2jytR8HM14PO7weKbNpu57eA__UXmYGWreJKKRE2qy5M-Jo9nH4XQc5rD3hYETB6ycCPxd6oFXbdfowwh6z2kUNcF8IM9tnFOkG-Q/w640-h298/Harrow%206.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[credit top right photo: harrow parkrun official photographer]</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>When reaching the end of this path, the course goes around the back of the pavilion building and rejoins Lime Avenue where the next lap begins. Remember the second and third laps do not do the detour section, instead once reaching the playground they head straight on past the toilets to continue the lap as before. A small mention here for the marshals - you can expect to find about five dotted at strategic positions around the course, mostly where the entrance paths meet the main path.</div><div><br /></div><div>At the end of lap three, just before reaching the pavilion, the 5 kilometre point is reached and the finish funnel can be found straddling the adjacent grass. The scanning team will most likely be positioned directly in front of the pavilion. Light post-event refreshments are available at the pavilion, but should you fancy something else, the park's cafe and the local branch of Morrison both have further options. When we visited in 2015, we popped into a local branch of Costa Coffee.</div><div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD2vBUQ9Xbarr8qrgQvlyGFseCHgDjhmPRMv3dWe0tGHbLXcuPB7SFR9VLnPmT3TOqqy1H5jkqadIAv96Yk8CoAEHcJ4g923dHngNIEJx-_c6T-auSGqXzcAROaCXMT_RocNzlBbpzr5kz3kVNW2rBKpOC5NT796Cv9i1ffsV8eKdrt2MO-GRLMxG7uOQ/s3264/Harrow%207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1516" data-original-width="3264" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD2vBUQ9Xbarr8qrgQvlyGFseCHgDjhmPRMv3dWe0tGHbLXcuPB7SFR9VLnPmT3TOqqy1H5jkqadIAv96Yk8CoAEHcJ4g923dHngNIEJx-_c6T-auSGqXzcAROaCXMT_RocNzlBbpzr5kz3kVNW2rBKpOC5NT796Cv9i1ffsV8eKdrt2MO-GRLMxG7uOQ/w640-h298/Harrow%207.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The results for <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/harrow/results/380/" target="_blank">event 380</a> were published a short while later and there were 221 finishers. This number is in line with the expected number of attendees as of 2023. Most weeks generally have over 200, but the event sometimes drops into the high 100's, usually during unfavourable conditions or during the summer holidays. As always I recorded the course using my Garmin and the <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10460414635" target="_blank">GPS data</a> can be found on Strava, along with the <a href="https://youtu.be/G0AafAmS33k?si=o3GFBPY55U_Syk9g" target="_blank">Relive video</a> which can be found on YouTube. For the record, the course is exactly the same as it was when we last visited in 2015.</div><div><br /></div><div>So our second visit to Harrow was great, and I was very pleased to be able to introduce one of my friends from work to parkrun on this visit. The volunteers and locals were just as friendly as I remembered from the 2015 visit, so a huge thank you to you all for the very warm welcome and for the support on the day.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Related Links:</b></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10460414635" target="_blank">My GPS data of the course</a> (30 December 2023)</div><div><a href="https://youtu.be/G0AafAmS33k?si=o3GFBPY55U_Syk9g" target="_blank">The Relive Course Fly-by Video</a> (30 December 2023)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-london-parkruns.html" target="_blank">The London parkrun venues</a> (blog7t page)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2015/12/harrow-parkrun.html" target="_blank">My original 2015 Harrow parkrun write-up</a> (blog7t 2015)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>copy7thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07869260780729697873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8778671273358983652.post-19352142114768353882023-12-26T10:02:00.001+00:002023-12-26T15:12:47.513+00:00Hilly Fields parkrunIn the <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-london-parkruns.html" target="_blank">London</a> Borough of Lewisham, is the open green space called Hilly Fields. It sits within the electoral ward of Ladywell, but has also been recorded as being part of the adjacent locality of Brockley. In fact, Hilly Fields is part of the Brockley Conservation Area. As with a lot of areas within London, the borders between localities can shift and become blurred over time, but as it is mostly noted as being within Ladywell, that's where I'll focus this write-up.<div><br /></div><div>The name Ladywell has been in use since the 1400's and comes from 'Our Lady's Well' that is thought to have been dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It was not the only well in the area, another nearby well was used for medicinal purposes as it was thought to have healing properties. The site of the Our Lady's Well is now under a road, but it is marked by a plaque on a nearby building. The town centre is also home to a distinctive Grade II Listed Victorian Bath House, the Ladywell Playtower, which is currently in a semi-derelict state, however there are plans to redevelop it into flats and a cinema. The Ravensbourne River runs through the area and Ladywell Fields is an open green space that extends along its banks, past Lewisham Hospital (birthplace of Bill Wyman from the Rolling Stones) all the way down to Catford.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFoqn14iYDD4TVvOFF9qfCKsDWKVmefles0Z8COU06NFyo_mNDfCclX3TVdL-0gWSYQ_QJtQ4eWtvcLVQQvrIKBzqq1Zy74TpjjsqpVYxPEnz_X7wVEpwsA7c-LxqxZ7M0loQuXasg-Q4JU2T-XndWK3NPSwkzfIlpsBF8N2PPk_1BuYLam_uMljAUYA0/s3264/Hilly%20Fields%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1324" data-original-width="3264" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFoqn14iYDD4TVvOFF9qfCKsDWKVmefles0Z8COU06NFyo_mNDfCclX3TVdL-0gWSYQ_QJtQ4eWtvcLVQQvrIKBzqq1Zy74TpjjsqpVYxPEnz_X7wVEpwsA7c-LxqxZ7M0loQuXasg-Q4JU2T-XndWK3NPSwkzfIlpsBF8N2PPk_1BuYLam_uMljAUYA0/w640-h260/Hilly%20Fields%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The area was largely fields and farms until the arrival of the railway in 1857, which was the catalyst for its growth into the residential area it is today. The areas of Ladywell, Brockley and the adjacent Crofton Park were expanding rapidly with most of the housing being quite respectable houses. To the north of the centre of Ladywell, building permission had been granted for houses on what is now Hilly Fields. Fortunately, a lady called Octavia Hill, who was a social reformer and one of the founding members of the National Trust, had a keen interest in preserving green spaces. She was instrumental in helping local people set up a campaign, which ultimately raised enough funds for London County Council to purchase the land. Hilly Fields was opened as a public park in 1896.</div><div><br /></div><div>As its name suggests, the park comprises grass fields (each with its own name) and sits on a hill, which rises to a height of around 53 metres (175 ft.) above sea level. It covers an area of 39 acres and is bordered on all sides by detached and semi-detached houses. Within the park is the Prendegast 6th Form College, whose building dates back to the 1880's. The park is also home to a playground, cafe, a stone circle, tennis courts, football and cricket pitches, a basketball court, and a bowls club. The area that is now the cricket pitch was once the site of a brick field. There was once a bandstand on the grass opposite the tennis courts, but it sadly no longer exisits. On Saturday mornings it is the location of a free, weekly, timed 5km community event called <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/hillyfields/" target="_blank">Hilly Fields parkrun</a>. Like all parkruns, it is open to all abilities including those who wish to walk.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVy1E1EZlwZlzZUwVpiyE53Op7vmug6E1bQqdAfiPoAfUuNhKoSaaszT4t7ophDH2oOb9VgEE2CeVG0RgSKzG1Y4192LxL2Y5G3aB2fSuLWNw_Z_Z0EvY28Q2WSk-jdEdi4xMzO4ZjQ-4t3mRMbBnMbSTiRS11Jt8cjlRENJI-MmYXGs2L0D5PRy0sMw/s3264/Hilly%20Fields%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1324" data-original-width="3264" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVy1E1EZlwZlzZUwVpiyE53Op7vmug6E1bQqdAfiPoAfUuNhKoSaaszT4t7ophDH2oOb9VgEE2CeVG0RgSKzG1Y4192LxL2Y5G3aB2fSuLWNw_Z_Z0EvY28Q2WSk-jdEdi4xMzO4ZjQ-4t3mRMbBnMbSTiRS11Jt8cjlRENJI-MmYXGs2L0D5PRy0sMw/w640-h260/Hilly%20Fields%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I had been to Hilly Fields years before the parkrun existed, but visited to take part at the parkrun's inaugural event on 8 September 2012. I then visited again a couple of months later and took part in their 2012 Christmas Day event. Somehow, almost 11 years passed by before I turned up for my third parkrun visit, which was on 23 December 2023 (which also happened to be my 500th parkrun and my brother's 50th). I should note, that I have been back to Hilly Fields a few times in the interim, but for <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/hillyfields-juniors/" target="_blank">Hilly Fields junior parkrun</a>, which takes place on Sundays. The thing I have always loved about this venue is its bohemian, arty, chilled out, family-focused, vibe. </div><div><br /></div><div>Being a <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-london-parkruns.html" target="_blank">London</a> venue, public transport links are pretty good. There are numerous buses that pass close to the venue. The bus stops along the park's southern border are served by the 122, while the north and east borders are served by the 484. Additional bus services stop at various locations nearby. Travelling by mainline train also comes with a number of options. The closest train station is Ladywell, but Crofton Park and Brockley stations are also close by. All three of the stations are served by different train companies, and are not interconnected. Brockley is also on the London Overground line. Lewisham station is also not too far away; this is served by mainline trains and the Docklands Light Railway (DLR). For those who wish to drive, the roads around the perimeter of the park allow restriction-free parking at all times. Cyclists can secure their bikes to the racks opposite the cafe. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmSnNq93wtlLRKR7i9XkAxgPNWEiwybFvEC8JmukGmua2IwAielF2begdhecZ9iKSCY1qsh8JrgU_5J3OMuzYPFKXkb-wrASJxf1vMbGzCqs4GoN7163w_2OT7MhdgTVpy7iuvM8lDYoSCETrcgXekX-mihwax_L8Xyl4dKcEf0P9zkHsCIKRwHDocrKc/s3264/Hilly%20Fields%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1532" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmSnNq93wtlLRKR7i9XkAxgPNWEiwybFvEC8JmukGmua2IwAielF2begdhecZ9iKSCY1qsh8JrgU_5J3OMuzYPFKXkb-wrASJxf1vMbGzCqs4GoN7163w_2OT7MhdgTVpy7iuvM8lDYoSCETrcgXekX-mihwax_L8Xyl4dKcEf0P9zkHsCIKRwHDocrKc/w640-h300/Hilly%20Fields%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The parkrun meeting point is next to the playground and this is where the first timers' briefing takes place. Most participants tend to hang their jackets on the playground fence. The start area is at the highest point in the park, next to the cafe and the flagpole. There are toilet facilities at the rear of the cafe building. The parkrun has summer and winter courses which are both made up of three clockwise laps plus a central tail that is used for the start and finish sections. Underfoot is a combination of approximately 3.5km on tarmac paths and 1.5km on grass. If conditions are dry, regular road shoes will be fine, but in wet conditions, trail shoes are the way to go (<a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2012/12/christmas-day-2012-parkrun-double.html" target="_blank">see my Christmas Day 2012 blog</a>). Buggy running is fine here, but the course doesn't seem to be overly suitable for wheelchair users. I've always loved how the park's name is totally honest about what to expect here; grass fields on a hill!</div><div><br /></div><div>The start line is formed at the flag pole and this is where the main briefing takes place. At 9am the event gets underway. The initial start section heads to the west along the flat, tarmac, central path past the tennis courts and the playground. Some parts of the path have become damaged, so watch your footing along here. This path naturally leads around to the right and this marks the start of the three clockwise roller-coaster-style laps. Essentially the course drops downhill when heading away from the central path and rises when heading back towards the centre. The summer course has three down-then-up sections, so nine uphill sections to negotiate in total. The winter course has two down-then-up sections making six uphill sections in total. To be honest, there isn't that much difference between the two. The course is very well marshalled and there are cones in various places to help guide parkrunners around. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkqmNzmoGf29Yl6jHNHBfla9n2MflopXVzgRWBL8payCCERxtkigdWo-Cbif6hh0rTzmaGS8QLEV-SQuf4ZQ4l7mjH-vLXYE05_glQUyN7xmp5cL5QS06Is_bSGRxZxoEOD4AQ7EBfGqfEw6bZsxrlXCgGUKDoixv4pj7eFNXnO3JZrn99D-FppGFT7E/s3264/Hilly%20Fields%204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1700" data-original-width="3264" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkqmNzmoGf29Yl6jHNHBfla9n2MflopXVzgRWBL8payCCERxtkigdWo-Cbif6hh0rTzmaGS8QLEV-SQuf4ZQ4l7mjH-vLXYE05_glQUyN7xmp5cL5QS06Is_bSGRxZxoEOD4AQ7EBfGqfEw6bZsxrlXCgGUKDoixv4pj7eFNXnO3JZrn99D-FppGFT7E/w640-h334/Hilly%20Fields%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>In bad weather, the section along the northern border, which is on grass, can become very wet and maybe even waterlogged. Even if not waterlogged, it can at least get fairly muddy here. At certain times of the year you may also find a few bits of tree debris (twigs etc) scattered along the dirt path. The first uphill is on tarmac and is reasonably gentle - the course stays to the left when the path splits outside the bowling club.</div><div><br /></div><div>If taking part on the winter course, the route continues to follow the tarmac path which joins directly onto the main central path. If using the summer course there is an additional hill section on grass in the south-east corner of the park, the subsequent climb is the longest on the summer course with an average of 7% incline over 200 metres. The top of this incline rejoins the main central path at the cafe.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisul5e5oRJj6ygBmpgv0r7FGvLHws8JhsCi5Vlkh4Gk1zWbdH-CIsr9mRRoyj9UO5iL17_nonVVFCU2wDyZafqoJBTLwOOiQK3UAXcsLprARMVxBTUQ8mlSMfW2-TQysNbVC2Ad9HBcmUeI_GBrD8rAZCIX8j1dynuPToSti0vcwL9ns6UkLz1OO7p6LQ/s3264/Hilly%20Fields%205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1756" data-original-width="3264" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisul5e5oRJj6ygBmpgv0r7FGvLHws8JhsCi5Vlkh4Gk1zWbdH-CIsr9mRRoyj9UO5iL17_nonVVFCU2wDyZafqoJBTLwOOiQK3UAXcsLprARMVxBTUQ8mlSMfW2-TQysNbVC2Ad9HBcmUeI_GBrD8rAZCIX8j1dynuPToSti0vcwL9ns6UkLz1OO7p6LQ/w640-h344/Hilly%20Fields%205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>What can be described as the course's main hill section (The Big Hill), can be found at the end of each lap. The course passes between the tennis courts and playground where it leads onto a steep downhill tarmac path which heads down towards the junction of Montague Avenue and Adelaide Avenue at the southwest tip of the park.</div><div><br /></div><div>The summer course turns off of this path about half-way down and onto the grass for a shorter uphill climb (approx 150 metres) which completes the loop. However, the winter course actually heads all the way down to the lowest point of the park where it goes around the big tree (you'll know it when you see it) before heading back uphill on grass. The uphill section is largely around a 10% incline and on the winter course, is about 250 metres in length. The top of this hill marks the end of the full lap.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpl8WT2nQ3mF7MX75Tc674dY-2nAzR4rUUOJ8_CqjB_e7KiZhrgejxeBBsDJstczhZAWz1COfeZevTLa22AArx_Ys7usfigGA2PE6mmQFHGTcrilY00GvRswKfZiG-_35_GjWdcrSt4WX-_UhoXMKRY6ekF5LVaHGLSNxvPdochyphenhyphenSS87-dNS4BrlMv24/s3264/Hilly%20Fields%206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1467" data-original-width="3264" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpl8WT2nQ3mF7MX75Tc674dY-2nAzR4rUUOJ8_CqjB_e7KiZhrgejxeBBsDJstczhZAWz1COfeZevTLa22AArx_Ys7usfigGA2PE6mmQFHGTcrilY00GvRswKfZiG-_35_GjWdcrSt4WX-_UhoXMKRY6ekF5LVaHGLSNxvPdochyphenhyphenSS87-dNS4BrlMv24/w640-h288/Hilly%20Fields%206.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I couldn't write about Hilly Fields without mentioning the 360 degree views. To the south is the view of the residential areas stretching across this part of London where you can also see the Crystal Palace Transmitting Tower in the distance. Shooters Hill lies to the east, although the new tower blocks in the centre of Lewisham now fill the view. To the north, are views into London including a great view of Canary Wharf and to the north-west The Shard, Guys Hospital and the City of London can be seen. If you don't get the chance to take them in during the parkrun, it's worth spending some time wandering around to find the best viewpoints afterwards.</div><div><br /></div><div>At the end of the third roller-coaster lap, when reaching the top of the big hill, the route breaks off of the loop and heads back in the opposite direction along the central path where the finish is found on the grass opposite the playground. I have GPS data from both courses. The summer course data is from <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/61229591" target="_blank">my 2012 Christmas Day visit</a> (back then there was only one course in use), while the winter course data is from <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10423358586" target="_blank">my December 2023 visit</a>. I have also taken both sets of GPS data and created course fly-by videos which can be viewed on YouTube (links below). The total elevation change (according to Strava) seems to be roughly the same for both courses at around 90-92 metres. The summer course achieves this in three shorter inclines per lap while the winter course uses two longer inclines.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QpwjXDteKoOCrh-7mxcYM1dGBcssnNGIDQOyWCKsLkyFLKT2T0EXTNB1L1Lca4G-uOS0z0uYHVjC1xOV4NnDtPaWzjIzsoai23DYOLAiwdYTz3ma4RpkdN6BIn3eUMVf7tem3vxI6D6QTdIZBJLepse6R0Lz5o2P7whhDq4q6PjNLI3MX48E1c6t9io/s3264/Hilly%20Fields%207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1671" data-original-width="3264" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QpwjXDteKoOCrh-7mxcYM1dGBcssnNGIDQOyWCKsLkyFLKT2T0EXTNB1L1Lca4G-uOS0z0uYHVjC1xOV4NnDtPaWzjIzsoai23DYOLAiwdYTz3ma4RpkdN6BIn3eUMVf7tem3vxI6D6QTdIZBJLepse6R0Lz5o2P7whhDq4q6PjNLI3MX48E1c6t9io/w640-h328/Hilly%20Fields%207.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Personal barcodes and finish tokens are scanned next to the finish line and once all of the participants and the tail walkers have crossed the line, the team relocate to the Pistachios in the Park cafe, which is pretty cool and quirky. It has indoor and outdoor seating, serves amazing coffee and has a selection of children's books to keep the younger visitors occupied. The breakfast food options are largely based around pastries and cakes, but they do have some hot food and baguettes available for anyone that requires something a little more substantial.</div><div><br /></div><div>As of 2023 the average number of participants seems to be around 200-230 per week, but this tends to drop down into the high 100's when the conditions are not so good. Being high up, it can also get a bit windy up here. The results for my most recent visit in December 2023 were processed and published online shortly after and there were 235 participants at <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/hillyfields/results/528/" target="_blank">event 528</a>. The event usually has a pre-planned cancellation each June (usually the last Saturday of the month) when the Hilly Fields Midsummer Fayre is held, so keep an eye out for that if planning a visit during that time. They also have a 100% record of holding extra events on both Christmas Day and New Year's Day.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKd1ox4HgCNx88xf0w4yIrinnrNtaoY4zFYj2hvdAb45jb4DFqTXCE-dtTlt1f4iIxz2p4FLbO-0WzALak8kvUPMUjd2PsXzYm7L8JGbp0Plf7nKT4S8keYhNr41GhVeCmKOxnFM8HnEPOZRasUxNkKIIyNXBulrVrT-FzYamqgjXK21NYh2UoKMg8dlo/s3264/Hilly%20Fields%208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1671" data-original-width="3264" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKd1ox4HgCNx88xf0w4yIrinnrNtaoY4zFYj2hvdAb45jb4DFqTXCE-dtTlt1f4iIxz2p4FLbO-0WzALak8kvUPMUjd2PsXzYm7L8JGbp0Plf7nKT4S8keYhNr41GhVeCmKOxnFM8HnEPOZRasUxNkKIIyNXBulrVrT-FzYamqgjXK21NYh2UoKMg8dlo/w640-h328/Hilly%20Fields%208.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>So that concluded my third visit to a parkrun event that I really feel I should have visited more often by now. It is a really lovely spot to have a parkrun, and of course to simply hang out for a while. Just don't forget to take in the views! All that is left for me to say is a huge thank you to the volunteers and the rest of the Hilly Fields parkrun community for always making me feel welcome. I will endeavour to visit more often as I really do love it here.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Related links:</b></div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10423358586" target="_blank">My GPS winter course data</a> (23 December 2023)</li><li><a href="https://youtu.be/UcRLCp5drFk?si=IiMztGat4eXn_8vp" target="_blank">The Relive course fly-by video</a> (23 December 2023)</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/61229591" target="_blank">My GPS summer course data</a> (25 December 2012)</li><li><a href="https://youtu.be/1wEZ-k7OLok?si=vmnbHOmJBiLD0PDm" target="_blank">The Relive summer course fly-by video</a> (25 December 2012)</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-london-parkruns.html" target="_blank">The London parkrun venues</a> (blog7t page)</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2012/09/hilly-fields-parkrun-event-1.html" target="_blank">Hilly Fields event 1 blog</a> (blog7t)</li><li><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2012/12/christmas-day-2012-parkrun-double.html" target="_blank">Christmas Day 2023 blog</a> (blog7t)</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div>copy7thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07869260780729697873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8778671273358983652.post-46167357184845296522023-12-20T20:49:00.004+00:002023-12-20T20:49:57.461+00:00Great Lines parkrun<div>Gillingham is a town in the county of Kent with a population of around 110.000 people. It sits within the unitary authority of Medway, which is also home to the towns of Strood, Rochester, Chatham, and Rainham. It was recorded in the Domesday Book where it had a population of 69 households. The name is thought to come from the name of a warlord called Gyllingas who was famed for leading his men into battle while shouting. This links in with the Old English word 'Gyllan' which means 'to make a loud cry or screech'.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXq5Wx_rirlPDYlB21Lpb8xeujNCWJJvtnq6g1xFPG0Gx5QNr7l2yFJNFMhTmRU3FlngKRvgnt6fqLjga3tXetyhSHw-JE7e1AaZHirwdIMY1CQ9cwV1JW4XozwPF_Rf1NMZ2Dn69Pc0gl7upU55NMYFA7SAC3B2AAv9c1xuPBvS8CEtHRCzGGX-gqAd0/s3264/Great%20Lines%201a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1551" data-original-width="3264" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXq5Wx_rirlPDYlB21Lpb8xeujNCWJJvtnq6g1xFPG0Gx5QNr7l2yFJNFMhTmRU3FlngKRvgnt6fqLjga3tXetyhSHw-JE7e1AaZHirwdIMY1CQ9cwV1JW4XozwPF_Rf1NMZ2Dn69Pc0gl7upU55NMYFA7SAC3B2AAv9c1xuPBvS8CEtHRCzGGX-gqAd0/w640-h304/Great%20Lines%201a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The town is the birthplace of William Adams who served under Sir Francis Drake against the Spanish Armada in 1588. He subsequently sailed to Japan where he became the first Western Samurai. The north of Gillingham reaches the bank of the River Medway, where part of Gillingham (known as Grange) was a limb of the Cinque Port of Hastings. The link to the sea continued when Chatham's Royal Naval Dockyard was established in the 16th century. By the time the dockyard had expanded to its full size, two thirds of it were actually located within Gillingham. One of the dockyard's most famous ships is the HMS Victory, which was launched in 1765 and is currently the world's oldest naval vessel still in commission. The dockyard was once the workplace of Horatio Nelson.</div><div><br /></div><div>The naval dockyard required protection from the landward threat from any potential invading forces, and it just so happens that the North Downs chalk escarpment runs through Gillingham, just south of the dockyard. The line of open spaces along the ridge provided a perfect strategic defensive position. At the beginning of the 18th century work began fortifying the area and a fort, Fort Amehurst was later constructed which overlooked the River Medway. There were various sections of the defences such as, Chatham Lines, the Lower Lines, the Inner Lines and the Field of Fire. The combined system of defences became known as The Great Lines.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpGqDN4GyXn6LFvjcYn9uIEHBSPynz1yhEqp9SzF0y69aBXXbRvCd2Hq2qRvA3FiD-u5zsREVnCRhUhr5Y2KCAcNII7ivXdB9BN-tkZeaUPDReopHYNJo03bYgSPFHcg2NJryTWqfTI26zgkWLhEyYN5pKF1qTwb6XH3G1cdk3Za7JLyKEEBeDc0lTDc/s3264/Great%20Lines%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1551" data-original-width="3264" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpGqDN4GyXn6LFvjcYn9uIEHBSPynz1yhEqp9SzF0y69aBXXbRvCd2Hq2qRvA3FiD-u5zsREVnCRhUhr5Y2KCAcNII7ivXdB9BN-tkZeaUPDReopHYNJo03bYgSPFHcg2NJryTWqfTI26zgkWLhEyYN5pKF1qTwb6XH3G1cdk3Za7JLyKEEBeDc0lTDc/w640-h304/Great%20Lines%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Over the years, Great Lines has been used by the military for sport, training exercises and explosives testing. There are also some underground shelters and tunnels built about 30 metres below the surface. In 1924 Great Lines became home to the Chatham Naval Memorial obelisk. The initial memorial contained the names of 8,515 Royal Navy servicemen who lost their lives during the First World War, but had no known grave. The memorial was then enlarged following the end of the Second World War where a further 10,098 names were added. It is part of the story in the 1996 novel 'Last Orders' which was made into a film in 2001, and some scenes were filmed in the park around the memorial (it's on Disney+).</div><div><br /></div><div>In 1989, the area was acquired by Gillingham Borough Council (the council was abolished in 1998 when Medway Council was created). In 2008 funding was granted for improvement works to be undertaken across the 70 acres of land, this included new pathways, signage and lighting. The park is now known as Great Lines Heritage Park and is largely open space with some areas of woodland, some football pitches and a section which is a Site of Nature Conservation Interest. On 28 September 2013 the park became home to <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/greatlines/" target="_blank">Great Lines parkrun</a>, which is a free, weekly, timed 5 kilometre event open to all abilities. I <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2013/09/great-lines-parkrun.html" target="_blank">first visited</a> the park to take part at the <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/greatlines/results/1/" target="_blank">inaugural event</a> in September 2013, and have now taken part in this parkrun on four occasions, with the latest being in December 2023.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmT0LpFnOvrYQsEeNmJLSebhAQKqZhn14GV5DjBBxBjz-s533iaI6_NaMSaBXhEAD0M4o2VuCZuW8wKuSPvMmnwjnn1lT8uyg9P2qWuxKOJABVy__NCvFhhhyphenhyphenrNG7LjqyVL94qdN5cVLU2DHMyyL0pA0zreKI01DukWA02TJMBKPb-xCRJkTIoBbmu1A/s3264/Great%20Lines%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1551" data-original-width="3264" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmT0LpFnOvrYQsEeNmJLSebhAQKqZhn14GV5DjBBxBjz-s533iaI6_NaMSaBXhEAD0M4o2VuCZuW8wKuSPvMmnwjnn1lT8uyg9P2qWuxKOJABVy__NCvFhhhyphenhyphenrNG7LjqyVL94qdN5cVLU2DHMyyL0pA0zreKI01DukWA02TJMBKPb-xCRJkTIoBbmu1A/w640-h304/Great%20Lines%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>On all of those occasions I used the car to reach the venue, and there are multiple parking options. Firstly it is possible to park for free for up to two hours, right next to the parkrun meeting point, on Marlborough Road, however the bays are also used by local residents so spaces can be hard to come by. There is further on-street parking on Brompton Road, but the bays here require payment to use. Then there is the car park at the Medway Park Sports Centre, which also requires a fee to be paid. This can be done via contactless payment at the machine in the car park or by using the RingGo app. If cycling there are some racks at the sports centre, or there is a short section of fencing that can be used alongside Marlborough Road.</div><div><br /></div><div>Travel by public transport is also possible. There is a train station in the centre of Gillingham and this is less than 1 kilometre from Great Lines Heritage Park and the parkrun meeting area. It is primarily served by Southeastern trains from London Charing Cross and London Victoria. Plus there is also a Thameslink train from Luton via London St. Pancras although the direct service does not appear to run early enough to reach the parkrun in time. From the Kent side, there are direct services commencing at both Ramsgate and Dover Priory stations. As far as buses go, the following services are listed as stopping right outside the park, on Brompton Road; 101 Sapphire, 116, 121, 182, 326 and 327.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9Slg6m-1ItcLfjoxqeti_oUseMSCh-rS-IGiM0X1mBOb6FPs1-qCW_aVAhQwoTOqfKae9Fa81IRleAKc77bKqg_iOuzVcRpnu8Vv6RS7FsE_kJmPl95GOR_-FN6VF9o68y-ofXP4ELQWo7F4v88_wvvcCqyvbCEnSVm494RrwVCZCEfbRqujauNvamM/s3264/Great%20Lines%204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1551" data-original-width="3264" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9Slg6m-1ItcLfjoxqeti_oUseMSCh-rS-IGiM0X1mBOb6FPs1-qCW_aVAhQwoTOqfKae9Fa81IRleAKc77bKqg_iOuzVcRpnu8Vv6RS7FsE_kJmPl95GOR_-FN6VF9o68y-ofXP4ELQWo7F4v88_wvvcCqyvbCEnSVm494RrwVCZCEfbRqujauNvamM/w640-h304/Great%20Lines%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>To find the parkrun meeting point, you need to go to the northern end of the park - this is the part closest to the town centre. As mentioned above it is adjacent to Marlborough Road, but also quite near to Brompton Road. Before you arrive at the park, it should be noted that there are no toilet facilities on-site. The Medway Park Sports Centre is just across the road and has toilets, but they are for members only so expect to be turned away if you ask to use those. There are some public toilets on the High Street, in-between the train station and the park - these are located on a pedestrianised street called Sappers Walk. The information I can find via Google Maps suggests they open at 8am on Saturdays.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/greatlines/" target="_blank">Great Lines parkrun</a> takes place over a two-lap anti-clockwise course which I would describe as being gently undulating with the total elevation change at around 50 metres. Underfoot contains a mixture of surfaces including granite resin, grass and gravel paths. My preference for footwear at this venue leans towards trail shoes, but they would only be essential when the conditions are particularly bad. It is fine for buggy running (I buggy ran there on my <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2013/12/great-christmas-lines-parkrun.html" target="_blank">second visit</a> to the venue), and in favourable conditions you could also get a wheelchair around the course. I will also note here that the course as of 2023 is not exactly the same as the original course.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzVQChxUP3DQWN3jKMXgX2_xqZasXE3h8D39mWi6LHpjCrRvVZ0rglC1qOJovQNDzUFGiCCx7SkKXBenAPdJDb-lyqN6OpNe4iuNqJKuJcb08Z4nJTbG7f-ryvhwobhpUmq4bmc0PUzJKRBlMF8S9-qSPuPWXcqggwshptrq79E_XZ4jCONJs60djtSQ/s3264/Great%20Lines%205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1551" data-original-width="3264" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzVQChxUP3DQWN3jKMXgX2_xqZasXE3h8D39mWi6LHpjCrRvVZ0rglC1qOJovQNDzUFGiCCx7SkKXBenAPdJDb-lyqN6OpNe4iuNqJKuJcb08Z4nJTbG7f-ryvhwobhpUmq4bmc0PUzJKRBlMF8S9-qSPuPWXcqggwshptrq79E_XZ4jCONJs60djtSQ/w640-h304/Great%20Lines%205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The briefings take place at the meeting point and, following these, the participants shuffle along the path to the start line. It is worth bearing in mind that as the venue is at a decent elevation, certain parts of the course can be exposed to the weather. In terms of numbers, this parkrun generally attracts around 300-350 participants each week, but the numbers do bounce around quite a bit. The course is very well marshalled by Medway's finest volunteers so there's no chance of getting lost. </div><div><br /></div><div>The parkrun starts on the central granite resin path where the course initially heads towards the north before turning onto grass and circumnavigating the three marked football fields. Rejoining the resin path, the route now climbs ever-so-gently uphill across the Field of Fire as it heads to the south. Upon reaching the one kilometre point, the course reaches an X-shaped cross-roads, where the participants turn to the right and head directly towards the stunning Chatham Naval Memorial. Approaching and then passing around the side of the memorial, the surface underfoot takes on a gravelly nature. The course then drops down slighty before a sharp turn to the left takes the course along the southern border of the memorial. Be extra careful here as the sharp turn combined with the downhill and gravel raises the risk of loosing traction and falling.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4wX5GUgNvK530iQ8q6NysY9YZDtKTLTPptV8XGNGKJ-SK0LsNsMJF9lHN8HyvfyHWlmeMv-9WOnqIdEURFRp645MXzTwuSL9uqXdyfcbUbeVpGN2T4vOdJesu-fbn19-Rjgz5uEu0JYEcklizo2eKCVPeRoP0qI9ZRem4I4UwqGeHLqlIFAMWiRA000/s3264/Great%20Lines%206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1551" data-original-width="3264" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4wX5GUgNvK530iQ8q6NysY9YZDtKTLTPptV8XGNGKJ-SK0LsNsMJF9lHN8HyvfyHWlmeMv-9WOnqIdEURFRp645MXzTwuSL9uqXdyfcbUbeVpGN2T4vOdJesu-fbn19-Rjgz5uEu0JYEcklizo2eKCVPeRoP0qI9ZRem4I4UwqGeHLqlIFAMWiRA000/w640-h304/Great%20Lines%206.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[lower right photo: official photographer will]</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>Now at the southern end of the Great Lines Heritage Park, the high vantage point gives the most incredible view over the town of Chatham. The grassy areas in this area of the park are left to grow naturally rather than being mown, and form part of the park's conservation area. There is a point at this part of the course where the two laps differ. Lap one takes a slightly longer route than lap two, but they both end up on the main resin path now heading back towards the X-shaped cross-roads, where the right hand path is taken. At the end of the path the course transfers onto a second grass section, this one is slightly downhill. The end of the grass section links back onto the main central resin path and this completes the lap.</div><div><br /></div><div>At the end of the second lap, the course leaves the main path and enters the finish funnel which is on the grass adjacent to the meeting area. Finishing tokens are given out at the end of the funnel and scanning takes place right after that. My understanding is that the team then head across the road to The Falcon Cafe for post event refreshments. The results were processed and available online shortly after and there were 293 participants at <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/greatlines/results/449/" target="_blank">event 449</a>. I recorded the course using my Garmin and the <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10387673041" target="_blank">GPS data</a> from 16 December 2023 can be found on Strava. That data was used to create a <a href="https://youtu.be/xEYZbSkxGvk?si=jWG08ogHnTPTwtUc" target="_blank">course fly-by video</a> and that is available to view on YouTube.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5LbxIzSyW0JAxhc9tXprK9aU6g8vINDC3fOQ3khXP-IaWNWDVuatwPXhjkORhtGlHIqDOPYQvUg-7npvpQsZiTOvRkfbJDJ_fQKlYvVOXkyEZBBl9vmX7TWIOQbf2Yj6WvTzsVNHptrbY5itw02l-Jxv6DQQX-nVmBEnw3XwnaX49mrHX_lxe_8iXQao/s3264/Great%20Lines%207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1551" data-original-width="3264" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5LbxIzSyW0JAxhc9tXprK9aU6g8vINDC3fOQ3khXP-IaWNWDVuatwPXhjkORhtGlHIqDOPYQvUg-7npvpQsZiTOvRkfbJDJ_fQKlYvVOXkyEZBBl9vmX7TWIOQbf2Yj6WvTzsVNHptrbY5itw02l-Jxv6DQQX-nVmBEnw3XwnaX49mrHX_lxe_8iXQao/w640-h304/Great%20Lines%207.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[left photo: official photographer will]</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>I have previously visited Great Lines Heritage Park outside of the parkrun event, and that was in March 2015 when I, with assistance from my wife, created a <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2015/03/great-lines-parkrun-freedom-run-video.html" target="_blank">video of the course</a> as it was back then. You can view it on YouTube via the link on this page, but please note that the current course is not 100% identical to the one depicted in the video. I'd also give a mention to one of the unofficial parkrun challenges that incorporates this venue. It may have a few different names, including 'The Great parkruns' and 'They're Great!'. To complete the challenge you must take part in all of the UK 5k parkruns with the word 'Great' in their name. At the time of writing in December 2023 there are eight events in <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2023/12/the-great-parkruns.html" target="_blank">the challenge</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpK5gULh8OGwMg_1mbEOjwWxgNqfUKQ-SLSSleL3hSV3W8K-xTme-QzDTBxvaqDDXOGIngrqdLMfjWbYgY90LOdtnnKgqToqsmPRQbCWKRgtmz5BIwgnQbKFkqZi71FK3gPjBEmhTmH8MA04q8LucqAYcV-7lWZjWQSYUmZuX-pJR0UxqIF6LIh2csCk/s3264/Great%20Lines%208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2036" data-original-width="3264" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpK5gULh8OGwMg_1mbEOjwWxgNqfUKQ-SLSSleL3hSV3W8K-xTme-QzDTBxvaqDDXOGIngrqdLMfjWbYgY90LOdtnnKgqToqsmPRQbCWKRgtmz5BIwgnQbKFkqZi71FK3gPjBEmhTmH8MA04q8LucqAYcV-7lWZjWQSYUmZuX-pJR0UxqIF6LIh2csCk/w640-h400/Great%20Lines%208.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>After thoroughly enjoying my fourth visit to this venue, we headed back across to the sports centre to collect the car and drove back home. I'd like to extend my thanks to everyone who was involved in putting on the event and who made us feel extremely welcome.</div><div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Related Links:</b></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10387673041" target="_blank">My GPS course data</a> (16 December 2023)</div><div><a href="https://youtu.be/xEYZbSkxGvk?si=jWG08ogHnTPTwtUc" target="_blank">The Relive course fly-by video</a> (16 December 2023)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/85412752" target="_blank">My original GPS course data</a> (2013)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2015/03/great-lines-parkrun-freedom-run-video.html" target="_blank">My 2015 Freedom run course video</a> (Original course)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2013/09/great-lines-parkrun.html" target="_blank">My original Great Lines parkrun blog</a> (2013)</div><div><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2013/12/great-christmas-lines-parkrun.html" target="_blank">My Great Christmas Lines blog</a> (2013)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2023/12/the-great-parkruns.html" target="_blank">The Great parkruns Challenge</a> (list of venues)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>copy7thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07869260780729697873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8778671273358983652.post-37744785283702643172023-12-20T13:10:00.003+00:002023-12-20T13:14:05.356+00:00The Great parkruns (They're Great!) This challenge is to take part in all of the UK's 5k parkruns that contain the word 'Great' in their name. This challenge may be known under a number of different names including 'The Great parkruns' and 'They're Great!'. At present there are eight 5k parkruns in the UK that fall within the scope of the challenge. All eight are in the southern parts of England.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/greatcornard/" target="_blank">Great Cornard parkrun</a> (Suffolk)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/greatdenham/" target="_blank">Great Denham parkrun</a> (Bedfordshire)<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/greatdunmow/" target="_blank">Great Dunmow parkrun</a> (Essex)<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/greatlines/" target="_blank">Great Lines parkrun</a> (Kent)<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/greatnotley/" target="_blank">Great Notley parkrun</a> (Essex)<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/greatyarmouthnorthbeach/" target="_blank">Great Yarmouth North Beach parkrun</a> (Norfolk)<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/greatsalterns/" target="_blank">Great Salterns parkrun</a> (Hampshire)<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/thegreatfield/" target="_blank">The Great Field parkrun</a> (Dorset)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>copy7thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07869260780729697873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8778671273358983652.post-59738704692593122442023-12-04T20:18:00.008+00:002023-12-05T23:31:14.108+00:00Wormwood Scrubs parkrunWormwood Scrubs (known locally as The Scrubs) is a 200 acre open green space which sits in the northmost part of the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, in west <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-london-parkruns.html" target="_blank">London</a>. The area was first known as Wormeholt or Wormholt Scrubs and this continued until the present-day version became commonplace during the 19th century. The Old English 'holt' part of the original name also means 'wood'. The most common theory of the name's origin is that the worm element comes from the Old English 'wurm' or 'wyrm' which means snake. When coupled with 'holt' it would have signified a wooded area infested with snakes. The area was once completely wooded, but this was cleared and subsequently used as pasture for livestock. <div><div><br /></div><div>The story of the modern-day Wormwood Scrubs began in 1801 when the Paddington branch of the Grand Union Canal was built through the scrubs and the land to the north became lost to development. Shortly after that a railway line took another slice of the remaining northern section, this is now home to the Old Oak Common Depot and to the North Pole Depot. Another railway line was constructed along the eastern border and for many years Wormwood Scrubs had its own station here. This also resulted in a small area of the scrubs being isolated and it was renamed Little Wormwood Scrubs. 1812 saw the government take out a lease on the area and it became a military training ground. It was then bought outright by the Government in 1878.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigoL6xpWJRs9MfEqL-aSkJ2BHzM6_qzIsnbU32b1yx8_WDOzwVUg1M_IG5y3QQnUHGTJre9QtnM6PdFPIeDHSWa08u_-luULns61vW5oF5Fr74mrylLqtGbIdjc_23UwQEOCYfV1O81DdUyeXsl1ys8ssGz-hrvE4LpcGf2gnzp8zexF4exQcTAZRg9yY/s3264/wormwood%201a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1503" data-original-width="3264" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigoL6xpWJRs9MfEqL-aSkJ2BHzM6_qzIsnbU32b1yx8_WDOzwVUg1M_IG5y3QQnUHGTJre9QtnM6PdFPIeDHSWa08u_-luULns61vW5oF5Fr74mrylLqtGbIdjc_23UwQEOCYfV1O81DdUyeXsl1ys8ssGz-hrvE4LpcGf2gnzp8zexF4exQcTAZRg9yY/w640-h294/wormwood%201a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The south west corner of the scrubs became home to a small prison in 1874. Work then began on the construction of a permanent brick prison building, which was completed in 1891. This building is the infamous HMP Wormwood Scrubs, one of the country's most well-known prisons. Over the years it has housed high-profile notorious prisoners such as Ian Brady, Charles Bronson, and Dennis Nilsen. It was also used to incarcerate celebrities such as Mark Morrison, Pete Doherty, Leslie Grantham and Keith Richards. It housed conscientious objectors during the First World War and was home to the Security Service (MI5) for a year at the start of the Second World War. The road outside it is named after its designer Sir Edmund Frederick Du Cane and the exterior at its main entrance was used in a scene from the classic 1969 film, The Italian Job.</div><div><br /></div><div>The world-renowned Hammersmith Hospital, which was first established in 1902, is located next to the prison. The hospital campus is also home to Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital which is one of Europe's oldest maternity hospitals. It was based elsewhere in Hammersmith from 1739 until 2000 when it was moved to its present site.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhauUysvaZtL4NxxFd4wOYEUDvVhgb1BKjaW6B9KIhlQDA29FtIK99WGvtLle6EWyUVj6JAycjie2gPptC5NWoRr1U1IzFreZkqh3LHt66XEaQpzhHqeuabJLV7q7KnYxF_kxhPu9e6qhpGvdxL6r3NNncwjuFu_J8koqNn-5kOVRhKOHTM-Gn9Pzt7ps0/s3264/wormwood%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1503" data-original-width="3264" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhauUysvaZtL4NxxFd4wOYEUDvVhgb1BKjaW6B9KIhlQDA29FtIK99WGvtLle6EWyUVj6JAycjie2gPptC5NWoRr1U1IzFreZkqh3LHt66XEaQpzhHqeuabJLV7q7KnYxF_kxhPu9e6qhpGvdxL6r3NNncwjuFu_J8koqNn-5kOVRhKOHTM-Gn9Pzt7ps0/w640-h294/wormwood%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The Wormwood Scrubs Act was passed in 1879, and this formalised the use of the area. The scrubs were now technically owned by the British Army, but the Act ensured that it was still accessible to the general public for exercise and recreation. The Act also contained conditions which prevented the Army from building any permanent structures on the land. In the early 20th century, the scrubs became home to airships and a hangar was constructed (presumably this was always intended to be temporary). This remained in use throughout the First World War. A few years later, during the Second World War, anti-aircraft guns were installed. The scrubs also apparently hosted football matches between the British and German prisoners of war.</div><div><br /></div><div>In 1967 the West London Stadium was constructed near the south east corner of the scrubs, just north of the hospital. It is home to Thames Valley Harriers athletics club, whose most famous member is Linford Christie. The stadium was renamed The Linford Christie Stadium in 1993 after his victory in the men's 100 metre event at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. The parkland is also home to the <a href="https://www.wormwoodscrubsponycentre.org.uk/" target="_blank">Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre</a> and has an area reserved for model aircraft flying.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEg_Oz6_fY8Y4SHIFh2TAgRWKzxu8NLhMzmu134_U8hELAQmlTAR31zqWJ3lu6e00IzwRltGJ5Zqnth0F3ozk4QpTJYhdkOPQ41-24_FWtmUVMdFBs8l6PB3sFqxF9X7jL-qe0sbtUOPDJgAGhmH_-61pTTd8I09CUPAp8ZvG9GOCiGjZH-tUI5vc5E8/s3264/wormwood%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1503" data-original-width="3264" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEg_Oz6_fY8Y4SHIFh2TAgRWKzxu8NLhMzmu134_U8hELAQmlTAR31zqWJ3lu6e00IzwRltGJ5Zqnth0F3ozk4QpTJYhdkOPQ41-24_FWtmUVMdFBs8l6PB3sFqxF9X7jL-qe0sbtUOPDJgAGhmH_-61pTTd8I09CUPAp8ZvG9GOCiGjZH-tUI5vc5E8/w640-h294/wormwood%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>A large section of the park is marked out with sports pitches, mostly for football but other sports are also catered for such as baseball. Incidentally, the scrubs were home to Queen's Park Rangers Football Club between 1893-1896. It was also part of the route of the 1908 Olympics Marathon. The exact distance of this course, 26.219 miles (42.195 km), was later formally recognised as the official length of the modern marathon. There are also a couple of children's play areas. There are various patches of scrubland and woodland that remain and parts of the area have been designated as a Local Nature Reserve.<br /><div><br /></div><div>In June 2011 the scrubs became home to a free, weekly, timed 5 kilometre event called <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/wormwoodscrubs/" target="_blank">Wormwood Scrubs parkrun</a>. It is open to all abilities including those who wish to walk. I first visited the event in June 2013, and revisited in December 2023. On <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2013/06/wormwood-scrubs-parkrun.html" target="_blank">my first visit</a> I cycled to the venue and left my bike on the grass at the meeting point. As far as I could see, there were still no official cycle racks anywhere near the meeting point although there may be some over near the entrance to the pony centre. There are a few fences dotted around which could possibly be used as an alternative. The closest other racks I spotted were outside the community centre on Braybrook Street or outside the hospital main entrance on Du Cane Road.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGrnvuc_6xoZLhA0MaiGyP8u2CyI4UhbaHBl2zwWrC2jpLKCyYUiykkSzIsTFgIhryzcCOARQNPRmjbEu3ZKdCwRjgnkkVyr7XYJ_Yh10YQa_ow40BnO7w4F_wcH6i3I-4Azz4YWtAIeCMM68j6LBVR56FDYoWCchjKZWb0kLjJJQlElraLBIXtUlsI4/s3264/wormwood%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1503" data-original-width="3264" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGrnvuc_6xoZLhA0MaiGyP8u2CyI4UhbaHBl2zwWrC2jpLKCyYUiykkSzIsTFgIhryzcCOARQNPRmjbEu3ZKdCwRjgnkkVyr7XYJ_Yh10YQa_ow40BnO7w4F_wcH6i3I-4Azz4YWtAIeCMM68j6LBVR56FDYoWCchjKZWb0kLjJJQlElraLBIXtUlsI4/w640-h294/wormwood%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>If driving there are a couple of parking options. The closest to the parkrun meeting point is the main Wormwood Scrubs car park which can be accessed via the small road in-between the hospital and the prison. The fee to use it as of December 2023 was £2.20 per hour. There were payment machines present and they appeared to be card only. Payment by phone was an option (full details on the signs), and despite not seeing any signage, I gather RingGo can also be used. The other parking option is to park on a side street at the south west corner of the scrubs (the Braybrook Street area). A fee applies during the week, but as of December 2023 there was no charge at the weekend.</div><div><br /></div><div>If using public transport, the natural station to head for is East Acton which is served by the Central Line on the London Undergound. There are other stations dotted around the local area, but they are significantly further away, so if the Central Line is out of action, you may need to alight at Wood Lane which is served by Circle Line and the Hammersmith & City Line. Alternatively Willesden Junction is served by the Bakerloo Line and the London Overground. The closest mainline rail station seems to be Shepherds Bush. There are of course London bus services that pass close by; The 7, 70, 72, 272, and 283 services all stop on Du Cane Road while the 220 stops on Scrubs Lane.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLrfhT9AUgN_xl-ezMz_XMVzW2jBb-om19a_ToICBphLyMW7QG366uCfK10uryDCH2Kfhg0QyykuNaRsWMzLsxR0oGLlgT2Do1Y0o3jiCL_Oei7KhLPuUcb20J24QvKz1zv-Pj8FKEzpROLtiZPUkhUJu8b6aWoqCdkuC_56O-JKgXiVgf1pheaN5fMlU/s3264/wormwood%205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1503" data-original-width="3264" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLrfhT9AUgN_xl-ezMz_XMVzW2jBb-om19a_ToICBphLyMW7QG366uCfK10uryDCH2Kfhg0QyykuNaRsWMzLsxR0oGLlgT2Do1Y0o3jiCL_Oei7KhLPuUcb20J24QvKz1zv-Pj8FKEzpROLtiZPUkhUJu8b6aWoqCdkuC_56O-JKgXiVgf1pheaN5fMlU/w640-h294/wormwood%205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Once at Wormwood Scrubs you will need to head to the parkrun meeting point, which can be found close to the Linford Christie Stadium and the car park. Just head onto the open grass football pitch area where the parkrun flag and pop-up banner identify the exact spot. This area is also where the event's finish line is located. Should you require toilet facilities, you may need to address this before arriving. The official line is that there are no toilets, however if the Thames Valley Harriers club house, within the stadium complex, is open there are some in there. If you would prefer to avoid playing 'toilet roulette', I have heard that there are some toilets just inside the main entrance of the adjacent hospital (I didn't go in, so cannot verify this).</div><div><br /></div><div>The first-timers briefing takes place at the meeting point and just before 9am, the parkrunners and volunteers walk over to the parkrun start line. At this point I would note that as of my December 2023 visit the official <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/wormwoodscrubs/course/" target="_blank">course page</a> showed a slightly different course and start point to the one that was used. With that in mind I would recommend initially heading to the meeting point rather than going straight to the start point shown on the course map. The main briefing was then held at the start line, which was on the grass path that runs adjacent to the prison.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EH7zLLFnlTSbyrEOizy3d1L3w4EWGj-PMS9_qmAFQ86mvqLrZ8J8VJ5o4vyeosBoxi0drWkP0Bfv22U1nJwALqbi0URaJooX4-XYDQtRtTZTslenNWSkHRDu_1BF8NLLUKieVH6Bn0vbC4orADAbsyFIupUKH6EanSYDH3v37h_Q9p5orPbiemF9-6o/s3264/wormwood%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1503" data-original-width="3264" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EH7zLLFnlTSbyrEOizy3d1L3w4EWGj-PMS9_qmAFQ86mvqLrZ8J8VJ5o4vyeosBoxi0drWkP0Bfv22U1nJwALqbi0URaJooX4-XYDQtRtTZTslenNWSkHRDu_1BF8NLLUKieVH6Bn0vbC4orADAbsyFIupUKH6EanSYDH3v37h_Q9p5orPbiemF9-6o/w640-h294/wormwood%206.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The course is made up of two-and-a-bit anti-clockwise laps which largely stick to the western section of the scrubs. It is generally flat, but you may notice a slight rise in elevation early on in the lap. This is a 100% off-road cross-country style course with the surface underfoot being grass and dirt, which in the winter turns into grass and mud. It is also quite uneven in places, so care must be taken to avoid twisting an ankle. Shoe choice, as you'd expect, leans heavily towards off-road footwear. In fact in unfavourable conditions, I wouldn't even consider trying to take part without trail shoes or spikes. In the dry months buggy running is fine, but when the mud emerges I would imagine only the hardiest of buggy runners will want to participate here. I would say that overall it is not naturally a wheelchair friendly course.</div><div><br /></div><div>From the start, the course, with the prison walls looming to the right, heads to the east, before turning to the north and passing the meeting area. It continues towards and then passes the central woodland copse. The course then goes around the edges of what I believe was a baseball field, before turning to the west and heading through the scrub-land part of the park. The far west end of the course features a marshalled turn-around point where the participants are sent back using the tree-lined path which runs adjacent to Braybrook Road. This then passes the playground and the path feeds back into the central area. Here the course heads directly towards the prison where the path turns and with the prison walls to the right, joins up with the original start area to complete the first lap.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNCVsCrcXEnP1za8QzwoR3aNGPKiovt5D3CUg6nJmEn3FQBb6y3yQ0PYPg0AxujGFU-4JtlajjKMq9diSxYjXuKBI9hGSS6piDIvQrYBcmhyUtDT3AoilK6jDKqwk7aDiEOTHJmCtwXoTcC8syvcUgDGPJFTzgCGPzq5jkarTxG9XOGIRt2Q51Pk5ATE/s3264/wormwood%207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1503" data-original-width="3264" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNCVsCrcXEnP1za8QzwoR3aNGPKiovt5D3CUg6nJmEn3FQBb6y3yQ0PYPg0AxujGFU-4JtlajjKMq9diSxYjXuKBI9hGSS6piDIvQrYBcmhyUtDT3AoilK6jDKqwk7aDiEOTHJmCtwXoTcC8syvcUgDGPJFTzgCGPzq5jkarTxG9XOGIRt2Q51Pk5ATE/w640-h294/wormwood%207.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The course is marshalled in a few key places (I think there were 4 on this occasion) and there were cones in various locations to guide the way. Once the two laps (approx 2.35km each) are complete, the course simply retraces the opening part of the lap (approx 300 metres) and turns into the finish area and across the line. Barcode scanning takes place right here on the grass. I recorded the course with my Garmin and the <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10314963442" target="_blank">December 2023 GPS data</a> can be found on Strava. I used that data to create a <a href="https://youtu.be/0lBS8heeLcI?si=lL1hViJCinzicm_X" target="_blank">course fly-by video</a> using the Relive app on my phone. I should also mention that there have been a number of variations of the course over the years, and the current course is different from <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/58942259" target="_blank">the one used when I visited in 2013</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Once the tail walker has crossed the line and the marshals and cones have returned, the team heads over to the Thames Valley Harriers club house for refreshments. I joined the extremely welcoming team on both of my visits and while the clubhouse does not have a huge selection of options, it does have its famous 'legendary flapjack'. The prices are extremely reasonable with a cup of tea costing 70p, the hot chocolate £1.20, and the legendary flapjack was 80p per slice. The other food options are in the form of sweets, chocolate and crisps. If you are in need of something more substantial, you'll need to head elsewhere.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidm-3qHefSNkK7lrU8KZ7Xuu3DlMreBo9lfmwOaeI1i4tcEwy2hHvC-hDnO_cnhOSFvUtgDm3KNzRh7n6vS4q8WGDB2M8812SZJWEW-EeT5UQoJUfyWo2Dpy8hzUH4J4US2rGm7WTWjZEksx2mbRuQgxuAnNzeWAemvp-15oHCircHUsP01G2tWvLErYs/s3264/wormwood%208.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1503" data-original-width="3264" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidm-3qHefSNkK7lrU8KZ7Xuu3DlMreBo9lfmwOaeI1i4tcEwy2hHvC-hDnO_cnhOSFvUtgDm3KNzRh7n6vS4q8WGDB2M8812SZJWEW-EeT5UQoJUfyWo2Dpy8hzUH4J4US2rGm7WTWjZEksx2mbRuQgxuAnNzeWAemvp-15oHCircHUsP01G2tWvLErYs/w640-h294/wormwood%208.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>In terms of attendance figures, this is one of the smallest <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-london-parkruns.html" target="_blank">London parkrun venues</a>. As of 2023, the summer sees the highest weekly turnouts where the finishers usually number over one hundred, but not usually more than 150 (186 is currently the highest-ever attendance). When the conditions worsen the impact on attendance figures is noticeable, and it is quite normal for attendances to be in the 40-90 window when the really muddy conditions set in. Although we visited in the winter, we picked a frosty day and the mud was mostly frozen (that of course made the risk of twisting an ankle a bit higher). The <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/wormwoodscrubs/results/573/" target="_blank">results</a> were published a little later that morning and there were 87 participants and 15 volunteers present at <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/wormwoodscrubs/results/573/" target="_blank">event 573</a>, which was held on 2 December 2023.</div><div><br /></div><div>We had a cold but very enjoyable morning on the scrubs, and I would like to end by thanking the whole Wormwood Scrubs parkrun community for the warm welcome we received during our visit.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Related Links:</b></div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10314963442" target="_blank">My GPS data from event 573</a> (December 2023)</li><li><a href="https://youtu.be/0lBS8heeLcI?si=lL1hViJCinzicm_X" target="_blank">The Relive Course Fly-by Video</a> (December 2023)</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/58942259" target="_blank">My GPS data from event 104</a> (June 2013)</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-london-parkruns.html" target="_blank">The London parkrun Venues</a> (blog7t page)</li><li><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2013/06/wormwood-scrubs-parkrun.html" target="_blank">My original 2013 Wormwood Scrubs write-up</a> (blog7t page)</li></ul></div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /> </div></div></div></div>copy7thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07869260780729697873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8778671273358983652.post-80655895944448998062023-11-27T17:42:00.000+00:002023-11-27T17:42:34.169+00:00Walthamstow parkrunWalthamstow is a town in the <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-london-parkruns.html" target="_blank">London</a> Borough of Waltham Forest, in the east of <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-london-parkruns.html" target="_blank">London</a>. It was first recorded as Wilcumestowe and subsequently appeared in the Domesday Book as Wilcumestou where it was a manor owned by Earl Waltheof of Huntingdon and Northumbria. According to Wikipedia, the name means 'the place of welcome'. It remained a small settlement with much of the surrounding area used as farmland. Towards the end of the 19th century, the railway arrived. This was the catalyst that led to the expansion of Walthamstow into the sprawling residential town we know today.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpS-4KvE42Ean4Y9jhS2nmtd4JP1vFx6LhkGBTuYl7jMqezHe0Ll2bkYOfZbixUXyg07h8yTykfyGqY-QKDiyP35L0MEFzMr-yKnwiKwK9dobDd75BWt5hLl7oHJKhePYH6v4zbpZtviyT6XdE3lvb_u6C-iAfKzlBtnWK-kj-X-zSDOxojqPhzaEdaFM/s3264/walthamstow%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1576" data-original-width="3264" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpS-4KvE42Ean4Y9jhS2nmtd4JP1vFx6LhkGBTuYl7jMqezHe0Ll2bkYOfZbixUXyg07h8yTykfyGqY-QKDiyP35L0MEFzMr-yKnwiKwK9dobDd75BWt5hLl7oHJKhePYH6v4zbpZtviyT6XdE3lvb_u6C-iAfKzlBtnWK-kj-X-zSDOxojqPhzaEdaFM/w640-h310/walthamstow%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The oldest part of Walthamstow is centred around St Mary's Church. On the opposite side of the road is Walthamstow's oldest house, the wooden framed building 'The Ancient House' built in the 15th century. This part of the town is now known as Walthamstow Village. Modern-day Walthamstow is home to around 110,000 people and recent developments have seen the area become quite trendy. The High Street is notable for being home to Europe's longest open-air market; it features 500 stall holders and is 1 kilometre in length. Owing to the popularity of the 1990's boy band, Walthamstow has one the UK's most recognisable postcodes.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>The area has some significant links to the development of transportation. John Kemp Starley, who is considered the inventor of the modern-day bicycle was born in Walthamstow. The UK's first four-wheeled motor car with an internal combustion engine was built in Walthamstow in 1892. The vehicle was donated to the Vestry House Museum in 1933 and is still on display (we were going to pop in to have a look, but couldn't find anywhere to park the car). The first mass-produced bus, the B-Type, was manufactured in Walthamstow. One of the B-Types became the first bus ever boarded by the British monarch, and that exact bus has been on display in the Imperial War Museum since 1970. The first British-built powered plane took off on its maiden flight from Walthamstow marshes in 1909.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG93Hhk3Ne2tGQH72ocx_aH85NzBU2xxvnBd2GiQ0_15JRnaUUyDWMcLEOCDNM60iteHJ3BWqiII1NGCDpmg9U-93VR_YdMitf83OliZSUvDGCTb3GSZ_3BB43BUPm5QeuSVmBBp1O7xLzH8JGqd1Xmmc8xi6E3mKjpa51RUEQw6U6FrJvAn8H3F06aCQ/s3264/walthamstow%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1779" data-original-width="3264" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG93Hhk3Ne2tGQH72ocx_aH85NzBU2xxvnBd2GiQ0_15JRnaUUyDWMcLEOCDNM60iteHJ3BWqiII1NGCDpmg9U-93VR_YdMitf83OliZSUvDGCTb3GSZ_3BB43BUPm5QeuSVmBBp1O7xLzH8JGqd1Xmmc8xi6E3mKjpa51RUEQw6U6FrJvAn8H3F06aCQ/w640-h348/walthamstow%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>In the northern part of Walthamstow was a farm called Wadham Lodge Farm and from 1867 this was run by a man called John Hitchman. He later went on to establish the Hitchman and Sons business which was a very well known local supplier of milk and other dairy products. This company was eventually bought by United Dairies in 1947, but the Hitchman name continued to be used locally until the 1990's. The land that was Wadham Lodge Farm is now a sports ground. The sports ground was acquired by the <a href="https://www.lpff.org.uk/locations/peter-may-sports-centre/" target="_blank">London Playing Fields Foundation</a> in 1991. With funding from the Sports Lottery and the Peter May Memorial Appeal, the site was transformed with its updated sports centre opening in 2000. It is now known as the <a href="https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/london/waltham-forest/peter-may-sports-centre" target="_blank">Peter May Sports Centre</a>, taking its name from the famous 1950's cricketer.</div><div><br /></div><div>The sports centre has facilities for sports and recreation activities including badminton, table tennis, soft play and has a hall for other private events, such as wedding receptions. However, the main sports catered for are football and cricket. It has a particular claim to fame as being the home of Ridgeway Rovers Football Club, who can name footballers David Beckham and Harry Kane as former players. It has also produced many successful cricketers including half of the 2019 double-winning Essex team. The grounds are also home to a free, weekly, timed 5k event called <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/walthamstow/" target="_blank">Walthamstow parkrun</a>. This is open to all fitness abilities including those who wish to walk the course. I <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2013/01/walthamstow-parkrun-inaugural-event.html" target="_blank">first visited</a> the parkrun at its inaugural event in January 2013, and re-visited in November 2023.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDX-MweuXjZNJoKbKEG-MX8-hlwMHw1GvX9AL7mD-q9p1uQRLSNEfABLZ1dnelONQRPxEMXnIFHiAX1OGJPMWmbvniNm8Hg3J7dzqCBS-VemcR8zOyEjZKf5ptMT1oOtbjbB4dEtP94hHyClQMlsayuPEOYGezRu36xtLtjrMRx3i19XtzixbZ9j8dMg/s3264/walthamstow%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1807" data-original-width="3264" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDX-MweuXjZNJoKbKEG-MX8-hlwMHw1GvX9AL7mD-q9p1uQRLSNEfABLZ1dnelONQRPxEMXnIFHiAX1OGJPMWmbvniNm8Hg3J7dzqCBS-VemcR8zOyEjZKf5ptMT1oOtbjbB4dEtP94hHyClQMlsayuPEOYGezRu36xtLtjrMRx3i19XtzixbZ9j8dMg/w640-h354/walthamstow%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>On my first visit I travelled by train and alighted at the nearest station, Highams Park. This station is about 1 kilometre away from the sports ground. As of 2023 it is served exclusively by trains on the London Overground. The closest London Underground services run to Walthamstow Central which is the last station on the Victoria Line. This station is three kilometres away from the sports ground, but it does interchange with the Overground Line to Highams Park. Some local buses pass reasonably close to the venue, the closest are the W16 and 212, but the 97, 158, 34 and SL1 also seem to stop within walking distance.</div><div><br /></div><div>The National Rail train network does not pass through this part of London, so if using National Rail, you'd have to alight and change to the Underground, Overground or bus networks to complete the journey. In 2023, I used the car and the venue has its own, free, on-site car park. There are spaces for somewhere in the region of 300 vehicles. If travelling by bicycle the sports ground has bicycle racks. Once within the grounds, the toilets and changing rooms can be found inside the sports centre (using the side door which faces the main vehicle/pedestrian entrance).</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQRfbbFvJwl1gHgwquh7HBrpQlM0KLoe2GPtHy1Zj94DclJdTqaraHZVjHWFsQwKYbEyc22Rc8naLyqcNdOKpCNZpFzgOCoArvGqVOKFeUhfsIEQXz3FXPOLHUtoVv69SXyA5tydmMOgNKEeBMWMJ_JG1Yl-x-vlvhhBxUnf25sY632TKJgIyqK9Sblo/s3264/walthamstow%204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1807" data-original-width="3264" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQRfbbFvJwl1gHgwquh7HBrpQlM0KLoe2GPtHy1Zj94DclJdTqaraHZVjHWFsQwKYbEyc22Rc8naLyqcNdOKpCNZpFzgOCoArvGqVOKFeUhfsIEQXz3FXPOLHUtoVv69SXyA5tydmMOgNKEeBMWMJ_JG1Yl-x-vlvhhBxUnf25sY632TKJgIyqK9Sblo/w640-h354/walthamstow%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The meeting point for the parkrun is on the grass right in front of the south side of the Peter May Sports Centre building. Any bags or jackets etc can be left around the base of the large tree on the corner. I would note that as well as parkrun, the sports centre hosts junior football training sessions on a Saturday morning, so expect there to be various groups of people milling around. As far as the briefings are concerned, the first-timers briefing takes place at the meeting point and the main briefing takes place at the start line which is about 50 metres or so to the east.</div><div><br /></div><div>The parkrun takes place over a three-and-a-bit lap anti-clockwise course. The surface underfoot is grass, and while this course is definitely not hilly, there is a slight rise in elevation through the first part of each lap. Shoe choice will depend on the course conditions, as the grass can hold onto quite a bit of water after periods of rain, and does get muddy. If in doubt, I would go with off-road shoes. The course is fine for buggy running, although some may prefer to avoid doing so in unfavourable conditions. Sadly I would say this course is not suitable for wheelchair athletes. Also, and this is very important, the sports ground is a private facility and not a public park. Dogs are not permitted on site.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzOR5CGfgdyAG2lTT2Qkl9umqBYclTJKGcsaYUVEVEa-hOQ6-bzkhgOIyW_5BUHtFWAPXNZbXdqIEwuStZ-iq9OFj_rNmuLVq4RdFq2oG9EOhkDhK6gTRcL34Mgey21v93LfpaBe1njPHc4wGXQLLfiWNsOzAqzKMxDueY5hcS4VUbhKVO6g55wyCMWQ/s3264/walthamstow%205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1640" data-original-width="3264" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzOR5CGfgdyAG2lTT2Qkl9umqBYclTJKGcsaYUVEVEa-hOQ6-bzkhgOIyW_5BUHtFWAPXNZbXdqIEwuStZ-iq9OFj_rNmuLVq4RdFq2oG9EOhkDhK6gTRcL34Mgey21v93LfpaBe1njPHc4wGXQLLfiWNsOzAqzKMxDueY5hcS4VUbhKVO6g55wyCMWQ/w640-h322/walthamstow%205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>At 9am the parkrun gets underway. From the start, the participants head west back past the meeting point where the course turns and runs adjacent to the entrance road. The course then simply follows the outer perimeter of the sports ground. There is soon a gentle incline that lasts around 200 metres and this leads into the long back straight on the eastern side. Most people probably won't notice (I didn't on my first visit), but if you look across the parkland to your left, in the far distance you can see Alexandra Palace (Ally Pally) perched right at the top of Alexandra Park.</div><div><br /></div><div>The course then heads gently downhill as it approaches the north-east corner of the park. Turning again, the course the heads along the northern border. Just beyond the treeline and the fence is the River Ching, which forms the border between Walthamstow and Chingford. The route passes behind the football goals and can be single file at points. Towards the end of this section there is a small slope which leads through a tiny trail-like section of course, and this is followed by a 3/4 lap around the edge of a small football pitch which ends with a very short section cutting across the corner of the car park.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyDzrOsLjepNqm1i513Sm3pOtpzGz1txYiq8aHfbzGOjAhar-AoLAw4jR6sq6OI1Y8tIZ1vYbvMfM8K8NEeDPVWLcD9v7X5iWH6NbtSmZgftPrlYJ8mbyn-J6v2Q1DytP3A3g9fxWOFL7oP4X_Oc3hMmT9V08WQjLLyrd_eo1a0KeHjC3ETOuO3Ndiico/s3264/walthamstow%206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1640" data-original-width="3264" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyDzrOsLjepNqm1i513Sm3pOtpzGz1txYiq8aHfbzGOjAhar-AoLAw4jR6sq6OI1Y8tIZ1vYbvMfM8K8NEeDPVWLcD9v7X5iWH6NbtSmZgftPrlYJ8mbyn-J6v2Q1DytP3A3g9fxWOFL7oP4X_Oc3hMmT9V08WQjLLyrd_eo1a0KeHjC3ETOuO3Ndiico/w640-h322/walthamstow%206.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The course now follows the inside perimeter as it goes around the sports centre and the 3G football pitch (this is a third generation synthetic surface). The main points to note here are that if the football goals are in position, there are a couple of narrow sections to pass through, and if you visit on a sunny morning, the sun can give a strobe-like effect when passing the fencing. I had to put my hand next to my eye to block the flickering as this type of light can bring on migraines for me. This inner part of the course simply leads around to the original start point where the second and third laps start.</div><div><br /></div><div>Once past the start area at the end of the third lap, there's just a little further to go before reaching the finish which is adjacent to the entrance road. There were some nice touches at this venue in the shape of bespoke signage, there was a 'Well Done', a 'Smile' and at the very end, a 'Sprint Finish Starts Here'. Once over the line, the barcode scanning takes place straight away. When we visited in 2023, we crossed the line with the tail walker and volunteer parkwalker, and the results were processed before we'd even left the finish area. So that was super fast!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9xilxpHRMNH6Zbk-WRdgm-7GYYGwMMyg18n7Di-fVUKnbHNu4YB2LzUq9HB6WwUXSV-a0TyFhBzUPdPfK4Bgqr1ynySD-4nXWpr1R-6F02fQZv6cUlnKLlOeTdtuZ-GAigLf1wqnlo1qFyb0aUeQB995OxSvwfitVj95YFXN1xWqQJhyHDE4fMok2TOs/s3264/walthamstow%207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1640" data-original-width="3264" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9xilxpHRMNH6Zbk-WRdgm-7GYYGwMMyg18n7Di-fVUKnbHNu4YB2LzUq9HB6WwUXSV-a0TyFhBzUPdPfK4Bgqr1ynySD-4nXWpr1R-6F02fQZv6cUlnKLlOeTdtuZ-GAigLf1wqnlo1qFyb0aUeQB995OxSvwfitVj95YFXN1xWqQJhyHDE4fMok2TOs/w640-h322/walthamstow%207.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I recorded the course with my Garmin and the data can be viewed on Strava. I used that data to create a Relive Course Fly-by Video that can be viewed on YouTube. In terms of numbers of participants, this venue tends to have around 120-150 participants each week. It does of course vary throughout the year, and it looks like the weekly attendance sometimes dips under 100, this is usually due to unfavourable weather conditions. On the day we visited, which was the 27th of November 2023, <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/walthamstow/results/480/" target="_blank">event number 480</a>, there were 128 finishers.</div><div><br /></div><div>I imagine that most people would class this course as fairly unmemorable or not particularly exciting (laps around sports fields). However, I found it very nice and the fact that I don't have to worry about loose dogs is a real bonus for me. I think the autumnal colours during my second visit really helped to bring it to life. Plus there are of course the lovely bunch of locals and volunteers that add that extra bit of magic to the weekly run or walk around the grounds.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETJtD160rtU_aqp3CgX0oJlPj7crdhgvYzkWwWLRPp0S5E5vLjpEfL-dhlDqM5aL5ew_fRJoLUSVv1P6eCA2LoLU_X7-fKfcTS2JTQmlyz_b8o3DM1jwjil-NEa5-DPoPOrPBzCFWv3NaDgymXYygECSRp6dpspOhVSny-Y3op5sN1adKBazXE8hJQFU/s3264/walthamstow%208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1640" data-original-width="3264" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETJtD160rtU_aqp3CgX0oJlPj7crdhgvYzkWwWLRPp0S5E5vLjpEfL-dhlDqM5aL5ew_fRJoLUSVv1P6eCA2LoLU_X7-fKfcTS2JTQmlyz_b8o3DM1jwjil-NEa5-DPoPOrPBzCFWv3NaDgymXYygECSRp6dpspOhVSny-Y3op5sN1adKBazXE8hJQFU/w640-h322/walthamstow%208.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Once the event has finished, there is a kiosk at the sports centre where you can pick up some light refreshments. I got a bit caught up doing an extra lap of the course and taking some extra photos, so ran out of time for that. This had been a lovely morning of parkrunning (mostly parkwalking, which is of course perfectly fine), and I'd like to extend a big thank you to the volunteer team for making us feel welcome.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Related Links:</b></div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10277562066" target="_blank">My GPS course data</a> (November 2023)</li><li><a href="https://youtu.be/g35Zos1kT20?si=MDoI8xvV9vh3wyvO" target="_blank">The Relive Course Fly-by Video</a> (November 2023)</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-london-parkruns.html" target="_blank">The London parkrun venues</a> (blog7t page)</li><li><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2013/01/walthamstow-parkrun-inaugural-event.html" target="_blank">Walthamstow parkrun inaugural event blog</a> (blog7t page)</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div></div>copy7thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07869260780729697873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8778671273358983652.post-72785034186709799272023-11-22T18:03:00.002+00:002023-11-22T18:11:34.841+00:00Pymmes parkrunEdmonton is a town within the <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-london-parkruns.html" target="_blank">London</a> Borough of Enfield, north <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-london-parkruns.html" target="_blank">London</a>. The town was recorded as Adelmetone in the Domesday Book of 1086, and had 87 households, putting it in the top 20% of all settlements recorded in the document. For many years it was simply a village outside of London, but the arrival of the railway line in 1872 provided a catalyst for its expansion. It now has a population of around 82,000 people and is one of the most ethnically diverse areas in England.<div><br /></div><div>In 1327, a local landowner William Pymme built a grand house in the area, called Pymmes House. It sat within its own landscaped grounds. Over the years, the estate changed hands many times and, according to Wikipedia, was home to some notable people including Sir Henry Tyler who was involved with organising the Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations in Hyde Park (also known as The <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2019/10/crystal-palace-parkrun.html" target="_blank">Crystal Palace</a> Exhibition), he also donated numerous items for display at the Science Museum, which was of course created using the profits from the Great Exhibition. The house was also home to the Nawab of Bengal for a short period.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibrMPrdyKZudFcZUbWltIUyGZREWCJz0YGuWH5t0lOE7zE6BRIZoJoAfIxh4tbkKlNUfwYknqdw6qd8Vp1IDwUuTMaMFEZ3TiNIjOk3NFAZRAxzmFPALQi3k-BFYxUc6uS2uCnpJ2QFG_GpUp6gZn3VZx4QQLJEB5lPs6OWsW5bQOmuDjLsvP-fQAw4JI/s3264/pymmes%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1594" data-original-width="3264" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibrMPrdyKZudFcZUbWltIUyGZREWCJz0YGuWH5t0lOE7zE6BRIZoJoAfIxh4tbkKlNUfwYknqdw6qd8Vp1IDwUuTMaMFEZ3TiNIjOk3NFAZRAxzmFPALQi3k-BFYxUc6uS2uCnpJ2QFG_GpUp6gZn3VZx4QQLJEB5lPs6OWsW5bQOmuDjLsvP-fQAw4JI/w640-h312/pymmes%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The estate was bought by the local council at the very end of the 19th century, and in 1906 Pymmes Park opened to the public. Historically, Pymmes Brook - a minor tributary of the River Lea, and named after the Pymme family, ran along the southern border of the estate, but much of it has now been culverted and flows underground. A separate water course ran through the centre of the grounds, and this was landscaped into a lake. Pymmes House was destroyed by a fire in 1940 and the remains were demolished soon after. A Victorian walled garden still exists in the park and this is Grade II Listed. In more recent times, the park was reported to have been used as a filming location in the Rogue One Star Wars movie, although I'm not entirely sure if the footage made it into the film.</div><div><br /></div><div>The park itself features two very distinct halves. The northern part consists of a large open grass field which is marked out with, I think, six football pitches, and there is a football pavilion building at the far north end. The southern half contains the formally landscaped areas, featuring many mature trees and includes the lake and the walled garden, plus there is a fair-sized children's playground. There are a few sports facilities such as a bowls club, basketball courts, and tennis courts. There is also an amphitheatre located in the central southern area. Finally there is a wetland area adjacent to the lake. The park is also a Site for Local Importance for Nature Conservation.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIthi7CnTXB6LeYjllTIu3RFraKg2oyDSZmTXWQFMlgBlYHl6hj5OKhJnHfyka6RMpiv1AN52hZH-xx9sBT48cH17bfKZN3Pdn7tCl4ReMEGCwCCur2buQYW6BrauM8Y2UyZvHuunnoENGPLLPXCMdqmLjbAuuszMw_1DpwqKegd4-4E6FHVd9_qwpuBc/s3264/pymmes%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1772" data-original-width="3264" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIthi7CnTXB6LeYjllTIu3RFraKg2oyDSZmTXWQFMlgBlYHl6hj5OKhJnHfyka6RMpiv1AN52hZH-xx9sBT48cH17bfKZN3Pdn7tCl4ReMEGCwCCur2buQYW6BrauM8Y2UyZvHuunnoENGPLLPXCMdqmLjbAuuszMw_1DpwqKegd4-4E6FHVd9_qwpuBc/w640-h348/pymmes%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The local council seems to be very keen to promote fitness activities in its parks, and one of these activities is the park's free, weekly, timed 5km event called <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/pymmes/" target="_blank">Pymmes parkrun</a>. It had its inaugural event in April 2011, and is open to all abilities including wheelchair users and those who wish to walk. This particular parkrun was initially set up and run by the council's Sports Development Team and Tottenham Hotspur Football Club's Foundation Team. It was these teams that managed the event when I first visited back in 2012, and if I'm totally honest, my experience was not great.</div><div><br /></div><div>I didn't write about this in <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2012/11/pymmes-parkrun.html" target="_blank">my original write-up</a>, but the team didn't turn up until 9am, and while waiting for them, a fellow parkrunner who had popped over from a neighbouring event alluded that we may have to self-time and then email our barcode details and finish times to the team for processing. I don't know for sure, but it sounded like this may have happened previously. The issues must have been noted as a problem at parkrun HQ, and I believe an intervention must have taken place. In March 2013, at event 101, the organisation of the event was officially handed over to local volunteers and this marked the start of a new era.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4s4ve_16Gb3uRlxe7xLd0XX76DEhei62YXq7rztrOTOhCePzBlNFe8Y-rC1qgVI6ihw-PWuXnROxJwX_3itG1cleYGdOKCNj8npbNEK268wvVfUS48w9HpB3H0RcoSttWtjQvEW3MqWX2g2__45AKN5v2e4N3CJK-loj_AAFRgC8mXOi_EuH-Z4bT5Dc/s3264/pymmes%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1772" data-original-width="3264" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4s4ve_16Gb3uRlxe7xLd0XX76DEhei62YXq7rztrOTOhCePzBlNFe8Y-rC1qgVI6ihw-PWuXnROxJwX_3itG1cleYGdOKCNj8npbNEK268wvVfUS48w9HpB3H0RcoSttWtjQvEW3MqWX2g2__45AKN5v2e4N3CJK-loj_AAFRgC8mXOi_EuH-Z4bT5Dc/w640-h348/pymmes%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>On 18 November 2023 I revisited the venue to see how things had changed 11 years on, and I'm pleased to say that the experience was infinitely better than my original visit had been.</div><div><br /></div><div>In 2012 I had travelled on public transport and alighted Silver Street station, which is right outside the entrance to the park. The only thing that has changed is that Silver Street station is now served exclusively by trains on the London Overground. If travelling on National rail, you can alight at Edmonton Green and either walk or change to London Overground to Silver Street. The 32, 102, 149, 444, and 279 bus services all stop close by.</div><div><br /></div><div>If driving, the venue is easily reached via the North Circular Road and free on-street parking is available on the roads that run alongside the west, north and east borders of the park. In 2023 I parked the car on Victoria Road. The roads are residential so the parking spots are quite popular, but I didn't have any trouble finding space. The only thing to note regarding parking restrictions is that due to the park's close proximity to Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, these roads are restricted to permit holders on match days between noon and 9pm, so that shouldn't cause any problems for parkrunners. For bicycle users, I didn't spot any bicycle racks in the park itself, but there are fences and benches that I saw people using. However, there are some proper bike racks just outside Silver Street Station.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQt3Z5H9Xoj-BAbUzGwE-yXZvmCctIgZ23GwAOHOFgi_793ou5puFJo6klZM_luAdRdKLjMxrZHZ7_UdxhpdRwNJqruunUhz0e3aE0cgSskqrxW7oj1kIpkv72pvIU_-OrAjUqctFWKurAASc0MCRcZXTIp1SfXEeqCoJaosqKAmMs40nFe0w88csq80/s3264/pymmes%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQt3Z5H9Xoj-BAbUzGwE-yXZvmCctIgZ23GwAOHOFgi_793ou5puFJo6klZM_luAdRdKLjMxrZHZ7_UdxhpdRwNJqruunUhz0e3aE0cgSskqrxW7oj1kIpkv72pvIU_-OrAjUqctFWKurAASc0MCRcZXTIp1SfXEeqCoJaosqKAmMs40nFe0w88csq80/w640-h360/pymmes%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>It is worth noting that the toilet block in the park is now permanently closed, so if you think you may need to use the facilities you will need to head elsewhere. As we were driving, we had a quick pit-stop at the Lea Valley Tesco Extra (N18 3HF) which worked just fine. Another possible option could be to head over to Fore Street where you could try the McDonalds or hope to find a sympathetic cafe owner. Once in the park you need to head towards the amphitheatre which is where the parkrun people all meet up. Anybody that visited pre-lockdown would have assembled at a different meeting point - this new location is a much better spot.</div><div><br /></div><div>The briefings take place in the area in front of the amphitheatre and once complete, the crowd of parkrunners move across to the start area which is on the path in between the lake and Victoria Road. The parkrun takes place on an almost-three-lap anti-clockwise course. The surface underfoot is 100% tarmac and the park is flat. Standard road running shoes will be fine all year around. It is also ideal for both buggy running and for wheelchair users. At 9am the assembled parkrunners are sent off on their 5 kilometre journey around the park.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguA4aro3QZ-sz4hPYX4yf7SBzhyZwod8wHc5LHFpL980gt3yDX_7ysXIhAKTpcwuSbvh8ZlhnFAWOkA4wdtbe1trONNQKVJ-cDJ3wjt_uZNUA4gKpVjjDkE3Y0LF6XeOzgRjMEnksIavo7njyQ6AZDWtBkudQObKUHedna_naZ_ZtIPj8I2LuRxaJYnw0/s3264/pymmes%205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguA4aro3QZ-sz4hPYX4yf7SBzhyZwod8wHc5LHFpL980gt3yDX_7ysXIhAKTpcwuSbvh8ZlhnFAWOkA4wdtbe1trONNQKVJ-cDJ3wjt_uZNUA4gKpVjjDkE3Y0LF6XeOzgRjMEnksIavo7njyQ6AZDWtBkudQObKUHedna_naZ_ZtIPj8I2LuRxaJYnw0/w640-h360/pymmes%205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The start is in the southern half of the park, which is the prettier half. There are many trees to admire and you'll get a small glimpse of the lake at the start, but to take in the best view across it you'll have to explore the park a little deeper either pre or post parkrun. The course simply uses the perimeter path at all times and as long as you always stick to that path, you can't get lost. Please note that there are no arrows marking the route. On my first visit there were no marshals, but on my second visit there were three dotted around the course at various key points.</div><div><br /></div><div>From the start the participants head north along the eastern perimeter path which runs alongside Victoria Road. The path turns slightly deeper into the park where it passes the playground via a lovely avenue of trees (our 2023 visit was during the autumn where the park was in its full golden autumnal coat). At the end of the avenue, the route passes the permanently closed toilet block and enters the northern half. Here the central area is a large open grass area and there are mature trees lining the park's border with the adjacent roads. Participants simply follow the path. Anyone that visited before the course change will remember this section as the event's original start and finish area.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICJenQs9_oC7ehPR_DqbwisR1xBN2v2RY0oM9Oej4JNw-0Zb4_96MQ0E2Z4LJZrchjjINg3ZIrrIKcx9F_aLJ5s6gQTq0XAaUtTXcsAf3wfKb5y8o6be9hsLhY8CciNDDZnyqjiScdanVHhPSbSqztzL9xAUccCc3PjgdGdleUbDzAozhfyQh1-n3174/s3264/pymmes%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICJenQs9_oC7ehPR_DqbwisR1xBN2v2RY0oM9Oej4JNw-0Zb4_96MQ0E2Z4LJZrchjjINg3ZIrrIKcx9F_aLJ5s6gQTq0XAaUtTXcsAf3wfKb5y8o6be9hsLhY8CciNDDZnyqjiScdanVHhPSbSqztzL9xAUccCc3PjgdGdleUbDzAozhfyQh1-n3174/w640-h360/pymmes%206.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The path continues around the northern side of the park, heading along the northern border adjacent to Park Lane where it passes the football pavilion building. The course then turns and follows the path on the western side of the park which runs alongside Swan Briar Walk. Just before moving back into the southern half of the park, the path passes the wetlands area. This was created to assist in improving the water quality of the lake. It seems that before the works, and probably for many years, some of the plumbing in the local area had been installed in a way that inadvertently led to waste water from homes and business being discharged directly into the lake.</div><div><br /></div><div>Heading back into the southern half, the park takes on the feel of a typical Victorian style London park. The course passes the basketball courts and the tennis courts as it takes in another lovely avenue of trees which leads directly to the southwest corner. The course turns and now runs alongside Silver Street where the course passes Yacht Pond where the adjacent path is quite narrow. Look out for the memorial to Lance Corporal John Alexander Christie, who was born in Edmonton - he was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery during World War I. Right after passing the pond you will find a section that has been playfully named 'Yacht Pond Hill'. It's just a tiny slope, but I really love the fact that it has been named in such a way!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0AKLpH7bNXMCrnNB4kRufmTMwWkz91GSlJGvqN9mqUnGJwS7qp6RZCtmqKWGF3gy13YrlNmc3sPk_McFj8lv7R7qtiHLsnmJGAkOk9sFMZk7nbcVzz5-_u4EVTbS5lXbTveji6yeAg8SP6OhRNPpXE81OJXAOrVC2XBoHovavLBh9bgOierV21CTLt4/s3264/pymmes%207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1680" data-original-width="3264" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0AKLpH7bNXMCrnNB4kRufmTMwWkz91GSlJGvqN9mqUnGJwS7qp6RZCtmqKWGF3gy13YrlNmc3sPk_McFj8lv7R7qtiHLsnmJGAkOk9sFMZk7nbcVzz5-_u4EVTbS5lXbTveji6yeAg8SP6OhRNPpXE81OJXAOrVC2XBoHovavLBh9bgOierV21CTLt4/w640-h330/pymmes%207.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The path now leads back around to the original start point to complete the lap, which is 1.7km in length. A second full lap is completed, then just before the end of the third lap, the course turns into the finish funnel which can be found on the path adjacent to the Pymmes Park Visitor Centre building. This is the building with the abstract mural covering it. Barcode scanning takes place immediately after the finish and the post-event social is advertised as being at Cobblers Coffee Shop, which is over in the main shopping area, on Fore Street.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/pymmes/" target="_blank">Pymmes parkrun</a> was for many years one of the smallest events around. The first few years saw regular single figure attendances, which considering this event is in a highly populated part of London, was quite unusual. Over the years, the attendances ever-so-slowly crept up and in April 2018, at the 7th birthday celebratory event, they had their first ever 100-plus attendance figure. As of 2023 the average weekly attendance seems to hover in the 120-150 range. The <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/pymmes/results/584/" target="_blank">results for event 584</a> were published later that morning and there had been 142 participants.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1sxtOdlr3LZK7iTxhswYY249ztetCCbJWCOfpZhwUJUqXFIMtag8WOHEGR8XDj4O6xJpXl9Tbo7xRPj503jED55WFRTxVW35yr1otGX9jZ0TnBJ95_caBya1gsr6ixKpOdd38j7qW1EmHNAcoUX-rJ_DJKo-L7-nGEf7zp7f4h1vq772VCtoNx5nZg_w/s3264/pymmes%208.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1680" data-original-width="3264" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1sxtOdlr3LZK7iTxhswYY249ztetCCbJWCOfpZhwUJUqXFIMtag8WOHEGR8XDj4O6xJpXl9Tbo7xRPj503jED55WFRTxVW35yr1otGX9jZ0TnBJ95_caBya1gsr6ixKpOdd38j7qW1EmHNAcoUX-rJ_DJKo-L7-nGEf7zp7f4h1vq772VCtoNx5nZg_w/w640-h330/pymmes%208.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I recorded the course using my Garmin and <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10238156590" target="_blank">the course data</a> can be found on Strava. I used that data to create a <a href="https://youtu.be/ll1Bijz2zZw?si=E6ZnjOO6K-rIp4ns" target="_blank">course fly-by video</a> using the Relive app on my phone. The video can be viewed on YouTube. With the event over, we made our way back to the car to travel home. I must say that I really enjoyed my re-visit to this park - it was much nicer than I remembered it being, and I've made a mental note to schedule my next visit for the summer. It was fantastic to see the event thriving after its difficult beginning. A huge thank you goes to the team of volunteers that made us feel so welcome.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Related Links:</b></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10238156590" target="_blank">The 2023 course GPS data</a> (18 November 2023)</div><div><a href="https://youtu.be/ll1Bijz2zZw?si=E6ZnjOO6K-rIp4ns" target="_blank">The 2023 course Relive course fly-by video</a> (18 November 2023)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/61457037" target="_blank">The 2012 course GPS data</a> (25 November 2012)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2012/11/pymmes-parkrun.html" target="_blank">My 2012 Pymmes parkrun blog</a> (blog7t)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-london-parkruns.html" target="_blank">The London parkrun venues</a> (blog7t page)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>copy7thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07869260780729697873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8778671273358983652.post-19665926549320191272023-10-30T13:23:00.072+00:002023-11-01T06:34:05.532+00:00Bromley parkrunBromley is a town in south east <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-london-parkruns.html" target="_blank">London</a> which sits in the London Borough of Bromley. At 59 square miles, it is the largest borough in the whole of London and has a population of around 332,000 people. The town of Bromley is home to around 88,000 of these. The name was first recorded in the 862 Anglo-Saxon charter where it appeared as Bromleag, which would have signified an open field or heath where Broom (a large deciduous shrub) grows. It also appeared in the Domesday book (it appears to be written as Bronlei) where it, with 56 households, was in the top 20% of settlements in the country at the time.<div><br /></div><div>The Manor of Bromley was created in 862 and in around 1100, the original Bromley Palace (also known as Bishop's Palace) was built. The palace building still exists and stands to the east of what is now a very large central shopping area, where since 1982 it has formed part of Bromley Civic Centre and the main offices for the London Borough of Bromley. Bromley itself prospered over the years by being on the main route between London and Hastings. The arrival of the railway in 1858 provided a further boost to the growth of the town.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9ianbUN3O6gc4iXMlU3oT-gJ6a-cPYZaFQwMuDPj375U0UtsY2KmhQD4UcN6jM6oG0l-8C2KEBGuC8W5wSUbnzHOZ_CHf4WmUk6cjgNynLkq8u2YcO5kYSInqxKy8XC2s8_eJLP-20_FJQK5iuEtIBz6U-QoWbJlkLEgOR9zRjx5LjKb7ywFK-ba9-M/s3264/Bromley%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="3264" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9ianbUN3O6gc4iXMlU3oT-gJ6a-cPYZaFQwMuDPj375U0UtsY2KmhQD4UcN6jM6oG0l-8C2KEBGuC8W5wSUbnzHOZ_CHf4WmUk6cjgNynLkq8u2YcO5kYSInqxKy8XC2s8_eJLP-20_FJQK5iuEtIBz6U-QoWbJlkLEgOR9zRjx5LjKb7ywFK-ba9-M/w640-h296/Bromley%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Bromley has a large variety of green open spaces, but the one that is of interest for this blog is Norman Park which is located approximately 1 mile to the south of the central shopping area. The land that now forms the park was historically farmland belonging to the Norman family who resided nearby in The Rookery (the site of the house is now the Bromley campus of London South East College). Bromley Council purchased the farmland in 1934 in order to create a park and they named it after the family. It covers an area of 56 acres and is mostly large open grass areas often marked out with a total of 8 (or sometimes 9) football pitches. There are four small brick pavilion buildings dotted around the park, used for storage of equipment and containing changing rooms for the football teams. All of the areas adjacent to the park are either fields or woodland.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Ravensbourne River meanders through the centre of the park where it is flanked by a selection of large mature trees - the river had previously been culverted but was restored in 2000. The far south-west corner of the park features a children's playground and that is it as far as everyday facilities go. However, the park also has a sports facility, known for many years as Norman Park Athletics Track, but now goes by the name of <a href="https://npcsc.co.uk/" target="_blank">Norman Park Community Sports Centre</a>. It is run by Blackheath and Bromley Harriers AC. I visited the track in 2015 for a Southern Counties Veterans Athletics Club meet, where I set my all-time 400m and 3,000m personal bests. The write-up for that event can be found here: <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2015/05/scvac-kent-divisions-2015-meet-1-norman.html" target="_blank">SCVAC Kent Divisions 2015</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-VF9u88a76l4KDvo5m29CpeHSl3zbO7ttexSdewTHqWjsY2s-cPuOqFJxdiBa3cuJJ1ixTnNgrYHg17OJUw5BLkq474YpbtcFFCEk8h0I_utk71MFtwjjDUWXmAxBMz1_gdu1QlGxRKN7kQqAGo8eznOLdwWXocLhaxT1SgAW9ikzZjjjF04z-Y5W0YU/s3264/Bromley%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1445" data-original-width="3264" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-VF9u88a76l4KDvo5m29CpeHSl3zbO7ttexSdewTHqWjsY2s-cPuOqFJxdiBa3cuJJ1ixTnNgrYHg17OJUw5BLkq474YpbtcFFCEk8h0I_utk71MFtwjjDUWXmAxBMz1_gdu1QlGxRKN7kQqAGo8eznOLdwWXocLhaxT1SgAW9ikzZjjjF04z-Y5W0YU/w640-h284/Bromley%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>On 29 August 2009, Norman Park became home to a free, weekly, timed 5km event called <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/bromley/" target="_blank">Bromley parkrun</a>. It is the 19th oldest active parkrun event in the world. The first year or so featured attendances in double figures, but by a year into the event it started to regularly attract over 100 participants each week. As the years went by the attendances continued to grow and in 2019 the event broke the 900 barrier for the first and second times. The current attendance record of 942 was set in August 2019. The attendance figures as of October 2023 tend to regularly be over 500, with some weeks breaking into the 600's. Incidentally, when I first registered for parkrun in 2010 I selected Bromley as my home event.</div><div><br /></div><div>Despite it initially being my home, <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2013/10/bromley-parkrun.html" target="_blank">my first visit to Bromley parkrun</a> didn't happen until October 2013 (my 112th parkrun the 42nd venue I had visited). In October 2023 I finally got around to making my second visit to the event, so I used the opportunity to put together this updated write-up on the venue.</div><div><br /></div><div>If travelling to Norman Park in a vehicle, the park has two car parks and both are completely free-of-charge. The smaller of the two holds about 90 vehicles and can be accessed via Hook Farm Road, just of Bromley Common (better known as the A21). The larger car park is accessed from Hayes Lane and can hold around 200 vehicles. Despite this fairly high number of spaces, the car parks do reach full capacity when parkrun takes place. There are some additional options to park on local side streets, with the best selection being around the Hayes Lane area.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpcI51gx3V0YKQvXpQTW-f9h566aH2nzBjAQGDXvM5AnJEDXG8tCfLC-6q34tbz1PIGrSKXB8tvVxxKIsMWzJ6p5LOIr64TotEqz_h0Nmy_P760EFaWOAa9qcxFHAjG0Ft2vjf-dlsoxnCCNK-EktBQFRHhsA0lxj81YvFdD6vpUwQzMP0xIYpXSoRpw/s3264/Bromley%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1863" data-original-width="3264" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpcI51gx3V0YKQvXpQTW-f9h566aH2nzBjAQGDXvM5AnJEDXG8tCfLC-6q34tbz1PIGrSKXB8tvVxxKIsMWzJ6p5LOIr64TotEqz_h0Nmy_P760EFaWOAa9qcxFHAjG0Ft2vjf-dlsoxnCCNK-EktBQFRHhsA0lxj81YvFdD6vpUwQzMP0xIYpXSoRpw/w640-h366/Bromley%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>For travel by train, the closest stations are Bromley South (1.1 miles) served by Thameslink and Southeastern trains from London Victoria or London Blackfriars, and 'Hayes (Kent)' (1.3 miles) which is only served by Southeastern trains from London Bridge. Depending on your start destination, it may be easier to travel to Bromley North; this is also served by Southeastern trains from London Bridge but on a different branch and is further away from the park (1.8 miles). Buses that pass close to the park are the 119, 146 and 314 which stop on Hayes Lane, or the 61 and 208 which stop on the A21 (Bromley Common). Finally, if cycling there are bike racks adjacent to both car parks.</div><div><br /></div><div>Once in the park, the parkrun attendees and volunteers initially assemble near the pavilion on the north-east side of the park. For the record, it is known as pavilion number 3. The building is fully accessible to parkrunners and there are toilets inside. Bags and coats can be left inside for the duration of the event. However it is perfectly fine to go straight to the start line, but please be aware that Bromley parkrun has a summer course and a winter course, and they have different starting points. The summer course is usually used from May-October and the winter course from November-May. However, the move to the summer course can happen as late as July. From what I have <a href="https://www.bromley.gov.uk/customer-services/environmental-services-aims/9" target="_blank">read</a>, Bromley Council may 'deliberately leave the grass to grow for biodiversity purposes' and this means the courses cannot be switched until the mowers have been out.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfabb281Bx8ArN3e_Yc8S8qLj2UkqFCaG15UI6b0Q5XvYofPHpvoF6RW3IIE5jfcTd_tLX2P3e4Lkq8Whb1sQmY_obrDNkySDe7y4TmXldxbztj4yNvRAPSuHqo9b-0ThvzINicCxH1LzDOtDtp4pPpapeM0alpHszeV2_tIjCNxCZu_6HEEzU3JkeWQ/s3264/Bromley%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1792" data-original-width="3264" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfabb281Bx8ArN3e_Yc8S8qLj2UkqFCaG15UI6b0Q5XvYofPHpvoF6RW3IIE5jfcTd_tLX2P3e4Lkq8Whb1sQmY_obrDNkySDe7y4TmXldxbztj4yNvRAPSuHqo9b-0ThvzINicCxH1LzDOtDtp4pPpapeM0alpHszeV2_tIjCNxCZu_6HEEzU3JkeWQ/w640-h352/Bromley%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The summer course takes place over two-and-a-bit-lap of the park course which is mixed terrain, with the split being almost 50/50 between grass and tarmac. The winter course is 100% on tarmac and is two-and-three-quarter-laps. The park is pancake flat and this lends itself to being good for putting in a good time. Buggy runners are fine on either course, and I would also suspect wheelchair athletes would be fine too, although the winter course looks to be the better option. For shoe choice, given that there are summer and winter courses, road shoes should generally be fine all year round.</div><div><br /></div><div>The start of the summer course is on the grass at the south-west corner of the park, next to the playground. The start of the winter course is on the south side path, but further to the east, not too far from the Hook Farm entrance and quite close to pavilion 4. The briefings take place at the respective start point. Both courses are negotiated in a clockwise direction and both finish in the same place (outside pavilion 3). The winter course is the easiest to describe, as it simply just follows the tarmac path right around the perimeter of the park - there's simply no way that anyone can get lost or take a wrong turn, because it is one single path which loops round almost like a running track with a slight kink where it passes around the Hook Farm car park.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiACmdFL7o01BmMvQMTyONaBrBqczf3jaHuiWbWFC8wFZsHa4HQfbC5Rq0zT1IcKMc4niCCrbuQCv1t8WABlfRGepHgtJYEZFHG4-TG-NYHBl2VuPYNPfNcRN_vFEq9IobTNjLJEf6jbuDJHHWLa5yfH1XP5u5HrnwFwDitl5vhBfq0AVoIdtIf82C_Bjg/s3264/Bromley%205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1792" data-original-width="3264" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiACmdFL7o01BmMvQMTyONaBrBqczf3jaHuiWbWFC8wFZsHa4HQfbC5Rq0zT1IcKMc4niCCrbuQCv1t8WABlfRGepHgtJYEZFHG4-TG-NYHBl2VuPYNPfNcRN_vFEq9IobTNjLJEf6jbuDJHHWLa5yfH1XP5u5HrnwFwDitl5vhBfq0AVoIdtIf82C_Bjg/w640-h352/Bromley%205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The summer course uses the same tarmac path for part of its route, but has a section that cuts onto the central part of the grass and follows the course of the Ravensbourne to the south and the returns on the opposite side of the river heading back to the north. The route remains on the grass while passing the parkrun pavilion, until eventually rejoining the main path near the Hook Farm car park. In order to remain on-course it is important to keep an eye out for the cones and to keep these to your right - if they are on your left, you may be cutting a corner and could inadvertently encroach on the football pitches. After two-and-a-bit laps have been completed, the final section avoids the Ravensbourne bit and continues straight on into the finish funnel. When I first visited this venue, the barcode scanning took place inside the pavilion building where odd numbered tokens were scanned inside one doorway and even numbered token were scanned inside another. In 2023 the scanning took place outside.</div><div><br /></div><div>The post-parkrun refreshments arrangement is that hot drinks are available at the pavilion free-of-charge to parkrunners and the volunteers after the event. If you are lucky there may even be something sweet to nibble on. If something a little more substantial is required, the team may then head over to <a href="https://taste-bud.com/" target="_blank">Taste Bud</a> on Chatterton Road (not far from the Hook Farm entrance). If that's not quite your cup of tea, <a href="https://npcsc.co.uk/restaurant/" target="_blank">Norman Park Community Sports Centre</a> also has a cafe/bar. We didn't go in so can't give any further information regarding the range of options offered. Their website did not have a menu at time of writing this post, but it was noted that one will be added soon.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Az1Clt3AyQ_YtoDpWMtWPoA25dSBtqam50PN4ynwjNrp-BPoIx_kH40K9gaWyMEwakiVA8bBR5NNlO1UGgC0bpnt1fnPBTfKKJGCCs-p0PvXKFMqWnEXcWrGmOSSIFSKWGavh0A4Q-yEe9xFH20BdzM0enZNJzVWN0f5DDbD_k8qoujpOm9wJ12qEck/s3264/Bromley%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1792" data-original-width="3264" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Az1Clt3AyQ_YtoDpWMtWPoA25dSBtqam50PN4ynwjNrp-BPoIx_kH40K9gaWyMEwakiVA8bBR5NNlO1UGgC0bpnt1fnPBTfKKJGCCs-p0PvXKFMqWnEXcWrGmOSSIFSKWGavh0A4Q-yEe9xFH20BdzM0enZNJzVWN0f5DDbD_k8qoujpOm9wJ12qEck/w640-h352/Bromley%206.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Throughout the year, the parkrun can be subject to cancellations, both planned and last minute. Notably during the summer months there can be other events, such as the Bromley Pageant of Motoring (usually in June) using the park. Then there is often a fireworks display and funfair in early November (although not in 2023). The park is also subject to quite severe flooding and this inevitably leads to cancellations - of course this can happen at any time of year, but the winter is when the risk is highest. Given that the winter course is all on tarmac, snow and/or ice are both likely to lead to a cancellation.</div><div><br /></div><div>The results for <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/bromley/results/642/" target="_blank">Bromley parkrun event 642</a> were processed and uploaded a short while later, and the attendance figure was 564. So that was very representative of the current expected number of attendees as of October 2023.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqhDdgWIQKWHNAlL7VXL0zWNfOlf3bzviuJQOXg0mkAcqmsaRUYwq7jUM_3F4kr3B6xZ9Ap-z7p9joF_fMOrVzQfvh3KdbwUnb7yHXw6KGPzCppFO2gqHUfahYGo5Pt4dyW8Zmi220apDf6q8ZCkvJ4my2QYGSzktLyJGK_2Ae-v0NwcBhivr2Q7vAQo/s3264/Bromley%207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1521" data-original-width="3264" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqhDdgWIQKWHNAlL7VXL0zWNfOlf3bzviuJQOXg0mkAcqmsaRUYwq7jUM_3F4kr3B6xZ9Ap-z7p9joF_fMOrVzQfvh3KdbwUnb7yHXw6KGPzCppFO2gqHUfahYGo5Pt4dyW8Zmi220apDf6q8ZCkvJ4my2QYGSzktLyJGK_2Ae-v0NwcBhivr2Q7vAQo/w640-h298/Bromley%207.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I have a selection of GPS readings and Relive course fly-by videos for the courses - the links to those can all be found at the bottom of this page. I will note that when I took part way back in 2013, the tarmac path was still under construction so the old 2013 GPS data is ever-so-slightly different to the 2023 version as that course was almost entirely grass. The last thing to add is that the volunteers were all brilliant and the vibe here was really good. Thank you very much for having us.</div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Related Links:</b></div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10117159732" target="_blank">My 2023 GPS data</a> (October 2023 / Summer route)</li><li><a href="https://youtu.be/5UYivQhxqGM?si=Pjesf-bNIaFnUJjJ" target="_blank">The Relive course fly-by Video</a> (October 2023 / Summer route)</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10108518220" target="_blank">GPS data</a> (December 2022 / Winter route / original data not mine)</li><li><a href="https://youtu.be/8V_ENhB__LQ?si=o2N5VF2XL8yCR9mK" target="_blank">The Relive course fly-by Video</a> (December 2022 / Winter course / original data not mine)</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/86967163" target="_blank">My 2013 GPS data</a> (October 2013 / old summer route during the tarmac path construction)</li><li><a href="https://youtu.be/gbyHut0yuwM?si=nJS5LTEK2KiehS4m" target="_blank">The Relive course fly-by Video</a> (2013 / old summer route during the tarmac path construction)</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-london-parkruns.html" target="_blank">The London parkrun venues</a> (blog7t)</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2013/10/bromley-parkrun.html" target="_blank">My original Bromley parkrun write-up</a> (October 2013)</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div><b>London Borough of Bromley parkrun write-ups:</b></div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2019/06/bethlem-royal-hospital-parkrun.html" target="_blank">Bethlem Royal Hospital parkrun</a> (2019)</li><li><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2023/10/bromley-parkrun.html" target="_blank">Bromley parkrun</a> (2023)</li><li><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2019/10/crystal-palace-parkrun.html" target="_blank">Crystal Palace parkrun</a> (2019)</li><li><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2017/08/hoblingwell-parkrun.html" target="_blank">Hoblingwell parkrun</a> (2017)</li><li><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2018/08/orpington-parkrun.html" target="_blank">Orpington parkrun</a> (2018 with 2021 update)</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>copy7thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07869260780729697873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8778671273358983652.post-60085496241782032072023-10-22T14:02:00.005+01:002023-11-05T07:56:00.328+00:00Beckenham Place parkrunBeckenham is a town located in South East <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-london-parkruns.html" target="_blank">London</a>. It was historically part of Kent but became part of the London Borough of Bromley in 1965. The population of Beckenham is around 46,000 people. Its name was first recorded in the Saxon charter of 862 where it appeared as Biohhahema mearc. It was subsequently recorded in the Domesday Book as Bacheham and in the Textus Roffensis as Becceham. Beckenham Manor had been held by various people throughout time, but in 1773 was acquired by John Cator. He had already previously purchased the adjacent land where he built a fine mansion called Beckenham Place, complete with various outbuildings such as a stable block. The grounds of the mansion were landscaped and featured many exotic trees, a pleasure garden, and a lake.<div><br /></div><div>The mansion and its grounds remained under the ownership of the Cator family for over 150 years. They eventually no longer resided there, but it was used for a number of purposes including a boys school and a sanatorium. A golf course was established within the grounds in 1907. The estate was purchased by London County Council in 1927 and opened as a Beckenham Place Park in 1929. At the same time, the golf course became the first municipally-owned golf course in England. During the Second World War a prisoner of war camp was set up and anti-aircraft measures were installed.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD6Zl0pz1oeuCsY-tVEHNZdNNsskMtoTUhy3v8zOL0nm3IEtGXesyp5iY2EPhnp7Jzh8YFAfONAY2NvBeMTl-lAWsVl_s1fGt-OyXVaVBQOIhzJzFeMeFayw5jPbOqQCGtRmMySJ6L2v1xcEFgaWwmZYrDMlf2CLXpcTEhHjFlneSzRmUk8_gayH1Xks8/s3264/Beckenham%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1659" data-original-width="3264" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD6Zl0pz1oeuCsY-tVEHNZdNNsskMtoTUhy3v8zOL0nm3IEtGXesyp5iY2EPhnp7Jzh8YFAfONAY2NvBeMTl-lAWsVl_s1fGt-OyXVaVBQOIhzJzFeMeFayw5jPbOqQCGtRmMySJ6L2v1xcEFgaWwmZYrDMlf2CLXpcTEhHjFlneSzRmUk8_gayH1Xks8/w640-h326/Beckenham%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Beckenham and its park have a link to David Bowie, who lived in multiple houses in the vicinity of the park in the 1960's and 1970's. There is an information board in the park that gives some further details, but it does note that one of the houses had a secret gate at its rear which led directly into the park. He was known to have used it to avoid crowds of fans gathered at the front, he was then picked up by his driver at the Beckenham Place Park gate. The information board also notes that he was known to have used the park to rehearse scenes from Lord of the Rings, which he would later perform at the Beckenham Arts Lab.</div><div><br /></div><div>The boundaries of ownership on the land the park sits on has been quite complex over its entire history, and the theme continues right up to the modern day. Historically much of the land of the park was part of the adjacent Foxgrove Manor rather than in Beckenham itself. In more recent times the boundaries of the <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-london-parkruns.html" target="_blank">London</a> boroughs of Bromley and Lewisham ran through the park (boundary markers can still be found if you know where to look). In 1995 the borders changed meaning that the park now sits wholly within the London Borough of Lewisham.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjD_hSE11mrGDo-xy09dPCKmiluRGYwY267z6Hm1TuaYIgE_c8o5WR6BxJNzg56BapnoUqQ1OQkuRqQ6ZUVZGY33i8bwEPyn9lfI9Irwg2MdHzDmNQAcFhqSQXPbd2z7mEzSf-dZutzlB4Rxp27yL7k0oNGLaEtX7s4OHvpQ6GJjnGGLIPCRJaLfr8kD8/s3264/Beckenham%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1659" data-original-width="3264" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjD_hSE11mrGDo-xy09dPCKmiluRGYwY267z6Hm1TuaYIgE_c8o5WR6BxJNzg56BapnoUqQ1OQkuRqQ6ZUVZGY33i8bwEPyn9lfI9Irwg2MdHzDmNQAcFhqSQXPbd2z7mEzSf-dZutzlB4Rxp27yL7k0oNGLaEtX7s4OHvpQ6GJjnGGLIPCRJaLfr8kD8/w640-h326/Beckenham%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Like many public parks, there wasn't much investment towards the end of the 20th century and this led to both the mansion and the grounds falling into a poor state of repair. The mansion and other historic buildings were noted as being in a serious state of disrepair, and the lake had dried up. In 2016 Lewisham Council was awarded a grant of £4.7m for the purpose of regenerating the park and its historic features. At time of writing, the projects are still in progress, with the old stable block having been remodelled into a cafe and education centre, and the lake reinstated. Further works including a full redesign of the eastern side of the park are also planned.</div><div><br /></div><div>At 98 hectares, the modern-day park is the largest green space in the London Borough of Lewisham. Its landscape is quite natural and features open grass meadows along with various plantings of trees as well as large areas of ancient woodland, plus the Ravensbourne River runs along the park's eastern edge. A train line constructed near the end of the 18th century passes directly through the park, effectively cutting it into east and west sections. Facilities for kids are located in the far northeast corner of the park where there is a playground and a BMX track, and there is also a fairly new play area near the mansion. A big change has been the closure of the golf course in 2017 and this has allowed the park to become more accessible to the public. Some of the formal pleasure garden areas have also been reinstated.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvyfo29mBoH-LTwXQOerNZASL42GeYz8IsBBu0k6N8JWAEbx8kO7I8N_wOH5_32TIu0qBNwkwih9KI5xAqyDMGSsnRbKzS9mEBm3UPOJw7kAeahwtbXLmF-77yeLhJHU3bUsdhf5Ng-TzlPxWwVkTmTSaQEdh7v1r1wmNFvecZbZC37J21xqFiBF-sDA/s3264/Beckenham%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1485" data-original-width="3264" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvyfo29mBoH-LTwXQOerNZASL42GeYz8IsBBu0k6N8JWAEbx8kO7I8N_wOH5_32TIu0qBNwkwih9KI5xAqyDMGSsnRbKzS9mEBm3UPOJw7kAeahwtbXLmF-77yeLhJHU3bUsdhf5Ng-TzlPxWwVkTmTSaQEdh7v1r1wmNFvecZbZC37J21xqFiBF-sDA/w640-h292/Beckenham%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>In November 2016 the park became home to its very own free, weekly, timed 5 kilometre community event called <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/beckenhamplace/" target="_blank">Beckenham Place parkrun</a>. It is open to all abilities including those who wish to walk the course. The original route, which was in use when I first visited in December 2016, exclusively used the western side of the park and featured a two lap course, however while parkrun had its enforced closure during 2020 and 2021, the course was completely changed. In fact since I last visited, absolutely everything, from the start and finish areas, best parking location, cafe, and the course, is totally different. It is like visiting a brand new parkrun venue. If you are interested you can <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2016/12/beckenham-place-parkrun.html" target="_blank">read the original blog7t write-up</a>, but remember that this updated version supersedes it. I revisited the event on 21 October 2023 and took part in event number 293. </div><div><br /></div><div>An important thing to note before travelling to the venue is that the park is large and some of the entrances are a long way from the parkrun meeting point, which is at the mansion. If travelling by public transport there are numerous bus stops in the vicinity of the park, however the best one to alight at is the Highland Croft bus stop which is served by the 54 bus. Other bus services that stop further away are the 354, 208, 320, 135, 181, 336 and 354 (all listed on the <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/beckenhamplace/course/" target="_blank">official course page</a>). If travelling by train the closest station is Beckenham Hill which is served by Thameslink trains and the ongoing walk to the meeting point is about 700 metres. Cyclists can secure their bikes at the bike racks located next to the mansion or at other racks located near the Homestead Cafe.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8mAPIebq5cbCwVPuQ7mjs8klmc6FxQzok2hAg1uwbEC3bq5ki2eTQYO-uC-nfBj8utA0ogJr2WUiokvMOsFt232-zQ9eDslVmqDRlTbPCMGVqk_1Mo7-yKSroM6OwjKMp69SSvJ1gja_MmnrNlqR1li167js8la9Qcwtvh5Is936DomzTu8YwGoTeQcQ/s3264/Beckenham%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1485" data-original-width="3264" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8mAPIebq5cbCwVPuQ7mjs8klmc6FxQzok2hAg1uwbEC3bq5ki2eTQYO-uC-nfBj8utA0ogJr2WUiokvMOsFt232-zQ9eDslVmqDRlTbPCMGVqk_1Mo7-yKSroM6OwjKMp69SSvJ1gja_MmnrNlqR1li167js8la9Qcwtvh5Is936DomzTu8YwGoTeQcQ/w640-h292/Beckenham%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>If travelling by vehicle the park has a car park which can hold 108 vehicles - the car park can only be accessed from the vehicle entrance on Beckenham Hill Road. Lewisham Council have introduced a new payment system for all of their car parks, one that I have not encountered before. The fee for parking your vehicle is determined not only by the length of stay, but also by the vehicle's emissions. The cost ranges from £1.50 to £4 per hour depending on which emissions category the vehicle falls within.</div><div><br /></div><div>All payments must be made through a cashless system using either the PayByPhone app or website, or via a phone call. Payment by cash or card at a machine is not possible, however there may be an option to pay in local shops (check the information board or <a href="https://lewisham.gov.uk/inmyarea/openspaces/parks/beckenham-place-park" target="_blank">Lewisham Council's webpage</a>). Blue badge holders can park for free for up to four hours. There is also some free on-street parking on some streets outside the park, the closest of which seems to be Foxgrove Road, but Crab Hill, Westgate Road and Bromley Road are the recommended options.</div><div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHl-j0FKdU6wxrnicWj3SbCbWCN6qxmhlX2n-fv_mBrOPgXkHdVIlmXP1G_foW4mTKhGo4KUYuHp1ylb1u9L3tn6LT1qB0fg3TkpFzHWWaxD2EdKPi3exbl37N2DiAlHI5bAw5rI5KUxYIkq8NVLeA1CB-mhjnN94zmkkdIjdFMLCfW4kK3jEuGNyVosQ/s3264/Beckenham%205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1546" data-original-width="3264" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHl-j0FKdU6wxrnicWj3SbCbWCN6qxmhlX2n-fv_mBrOPgXkHdVIlmXP1G_foW4mTKhGo4KUYuHp1ylb1u9L3tn6LT1qB0fg3TkpFzHWWaxD2EdKPi3exbl37N2DiAlHI5bAw5rI5KUxYIkq8NVLeA1CB-mhjnN94zmkkdIjdFMLCfW4kK3jEuGNyVosQ/w640-h304/Beckenham%205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The toilets are located within the old stable buildings called The Homestead which can be found opposite the car park - they are right under the clock tower. As mentioned above, the parkrun meeting point is outside the mansion which features a large portico and is just a little further along the park's internal road. The briefings take place here and at 9am the event gets underway. There are some marshals around the course, but the route itself is marked with bespoke parkrun markers. If when taking part you lose contact with other parkrunners, you will need to rely on these for much of the navigation around the course.</div><div><br /></div><div>The course is usually described as being a one lap route, but a more accurate description would be to say it is a point-to-point course as the finish is in a different place to the start. If you have any items such as a jacket that you don't wish to run with, you can put it in the wagon which is taken over to the finish area by the volunteers. The course covers almost the entire park, including a section that uses part of the original course and can be described as undulating. The surface underfoot is a mixture of tarmac, gravel, grass, woodland paths, with some sections featuring uneven sections and tree roots. I'd describe it as being best suited to trail shoes. Participants with running buggies are of course welcome, but the style of course does not seem to be suited to wheelchair athletes.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCdENN3ntkBh2kiCFGQrZuSNKBsFOy5qdFTYtXiVsTjGOpWmyqa4Ipa5e6NW8IQft1gEwTpRQpykiI7Lbl01FaagnQ3KFIHj79XlGhD2YoI14k23kAtjdIK_WKNQtwZR36qfKYWTwRUONomb5zDnaiui_9Rjpl0BshYvw0tXkhcJ0Gp-gOT2ENI5LaW84/s3264/Beckenham%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1546" data-original-width="3264" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCdENN3ntkBh2kiCFGQrZuSNKBsFOy5qdFTYtXiVsTjGOpWmyqa4Ipa5e6NW8IQft1gEwTpRQpykiI7Lbl01FaagnQ3KFIHj79XlGhD2YoI14k23kAtjdIK_WKNQtwZR36qfKYWTwRUONomb5zDnaiui_9Rjpl0BshYvw0tXkhcJ0Gp-gOT2ENI5LaW84/w640-h304/Beckenham%206.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>From the start the route heads along the tarmac road where the elevation drops steadily. The condition of the road is not great and there are some old speed bumps that are in a very poor state of repair, so watch your footing. The initial section features open grass fields to the sides with views across the former golf course. The path itself changes to a light gravel as it gently meanders from left to right before starting to rise ever-so-slightly as it heads into Summerhouse Hill Wood.</div><div><br /></div><div>Summerhouse Hill Wood is an area of ancient woodland where some of the trees may be up to 400 years old. The surface underfoot changes to woodland paths that weave around and eventually the course reaches its highest point which is just outside the southern end of the wood. It may get a little splashy and muddy here in the winter, but it wasn't too bad when we visited in October 2023. Continuing back into the woodland, the elevation now drops down until exiting the wood next to the restored lake. This is 'Carol's Corner' and it marks the 2 kilometre point.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxgIfBWL1D2BKGRiH4nYms6qO4rcRqWcCXVT23hv587EJXg5kRRx28IOGZ_Pzsh4IiPYQfU5q9z-BXeIL-rk-oTbYfEGGP8XkbJglnRBlqQfmaYgbBUSby4sk5jraXMMMfy6_e3GrcV9xCmr-RsTTM9F5WY-LWrmpxBpkX6O9LvMpyPbkoGtsaYNUOcg/s3264/Beckenham%207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1546" data-original-width="3264" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxgIfBWL1D2BKGRiH4nYms6qO4rcRqWcCXVT23hv587EJXg5kRRx28IOGZ_Pzsh4IiPYQfU5q9z-BXeIL-rk-oTbYfEGGP8XkbJglnRBlqQfmaYgbBUSby4sk5jraXMMMfy6_e3GrcV9xCmr-RsTTM9F5WY-LWrmpxBpkX6O9LvMpyPbkoGtsaYNUOcg/w640-h304/Beckenham%207.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>From this point onwards the route is almost entirely flat. The third kilometre begins with almost a full loop around the lake, which is used by open water swimmers and there's also a boat hire available. After the loop of the lake, and a very sharp turn, there is a man-made mound - this feature is a fairly recent addition to the park and forms part of one of the park's new garden areas. Those who climb the mound are apparently rewarded with views across the park. The parkrun course doesn't climb the mound, instead it simply passes by before crossing the bridge across the railway line and entering the east side of the park. Anybody that visited this venue before the lockdown may recognise this section as it was part of the original course.</div><div><br /></div><div>After a 1.5km loop around the northeast corner, where the course follows the clearly defined dirt path, hoggin path, a tarmac path, and then a final dirt path, the course returns to the west side via the same footbridge over the railway line. Another interesting point to note is that the <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2017/10/meridian-line-parkruns.html" target="_blank">Meridian Line</a> passes just past the eastern border of the park. At this point there are only 500 metres left of the course, and this is simply a case of following the path until reaching the finish area. There is a slight sting in the tail as the last 200 metres feature one last incline. It's not super steep, but being at the very end means you'll certainly feel it.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjoqXYtI2fii9ZXql1At9IqDfwfLxzKrdIouxOHLX_uFjYxtxSlqv5nzToi_eevjxYuo5Y0BNFkSe59XHyq4BuAH7_n4-fvzb-1WbAC4Cc9QB7SxvwEk28dX6awXSLpNDLLOwwCM5lVWxEtZT7PGM7Z4ZNUr_-coe1_jl2G1hmr0N8WCuMLmhOrH0EhQ/s3264/Beckenham%208.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1546" data-original-width="3264" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjoqXYtI2fii9ZXql1At9IqDfwfLxzKrdIouxOHLX_uFjYxtxSlqv5nzToi_eevjxYuo5Y0BNFkSe59XHyq4BuAH7_n4-fvzb-1WbAC4Cc9QB7SxvwEk28dX6awXSLpNDLLOwwCM5lVWxEtZT7PGM7Z4ZNUr_-coe1_jl2G1hmr0N8WCuMLmhOrH0EhQ/w640-h304/Beckenham%208.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Barcode scanning takes place right next to the finish area, and the post-event social is held in either the park's Homestead Cafe or in the new cafe in the basement of the mansion. We grabbed a couple of treats from the Homestead Cafe, where there is also some covered outdoor seating in the courtyard. From what I hear, the cafe in the mansion itself has fewer options. The gardens and the new playground are in this vicinity, so are easy to find if they are to be part of your visit. On this occasion, autumn had started to set in and we were a little too late to see the garden at its best.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are <a href="https://beckenhamplacepark.com/news/east-side-development-update-5" target="_blank">plans</a> to totally re-landscape the eastern side of the park, and once complete will feature new pathways, bridges, wetlands and a new play area. These works commenced a couple of days after this write-up was published.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Update:</b> From 28 October 2023, there will be a revised course in place which avoids the eastern side of the park. The revised and temporary course map has been published on the event's Facebook page: <a href="There are plans to totally re-landscape the eastern side of the park, and once complete will feature new pathways, bridges, wetlands and a new play area. " target="_blank">Beckenham Place parkrun revised course notification post</a>. I have also obtained some GPS data for the temporary course: <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10162410959" target="_blank">Beckenham Place 2023-2024 temporary course</a>. It features a two-lap section in the woods, so this version of the course works out as being more undulating than the standard course.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHUW_d1ELqsyzIxEYMl6sou9MZNGaWIcSmZTIvkAo2R_LN-x7LpXlGEJ9AlGju8nKRjVnBfSl-EWgCHt_Qqkof6lBO8Y9yPMMDQELZxlOS9z60anSxkh61ATPsYxrVouJNhhbI961BX0o8coxBn5mdNtVSka7bwvsnKxOhRUyf8FN4YE7aIJB_JrbE2Y/s3264/Beckenham%209.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1546" data-original-width="3264" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHUW_d1ELqsyzIxEYMl6sou9MZNGaWIcSmZTIvkAo2R_LN-x7LpXlGEJ9AlGju8nKRjVnBfSl-EWgCHt_Qqkof6lBO8Y9yPMMDQELZxlOS9z60anSxkh61ATPsYxrVouJNhhbI961BX0o8coxBn5mdNtVSka7bwvsnKxOhRUyf8FN4YE7aIJB_JrbE2Y/w640-h304/Beckenham%209.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/beckenhamplace/results/293/" target="_blank">results for event 293</a> were published later that morning and there were 221 participants, which was slightly lower than average due to the early morning rain. The current expected weekly attendance figure in good conditions is somewhere around the 300 mark. If you'd like to see the GPS data of the course please feel free to have a look at <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10076225068" target="_blank">my Strava data</a> which I recorded with my Garmin. For another view of the course, I also made that data into a <a href="https://youtu.be/5EIB1PZoCNQ?si=E0JQzA2CRKeR6GBh" target="_blank">course fly-by video</a> using the Relive app on my phone; this can be viewed on YouTube. The course appears to be fairly resilient to cancellations, but watch out for the occasional summer cancellation when the park hosts a festival during August.</div><div><br /></div></div></div><div>It was nice to re-visit the park and try out the new course. As well as previously visiting Beckenham Place Park for parkrun, I have also taken part in the <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2013/11/beckenham-trail-10k-2013.html" target="_blank">Beckenham Trail 10k</a> and the <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2015/05/beckenham-team-relay-2015.html" target="_blank">Beckenham Team Relay</a>, so I recognised some areas of the park during the new route. The new parkrun course is definitely an improvement on the original 5k route, and as it is an entirely different route, it is like taking part in a brand new event. With that in mind, I would definitely recommend a re-visit to anybody that has not taken part on the new course.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-Prw6EWnBOJ4WD3xLwmNDRNysSakp3Kpk-qSlR6ZNcyceE_gi1w9oOqxYbEWz28CgWCjSzsKJPHS_G0MLDY7644WfTFGrCa9qPNN3TK_-M4cpqWioIFWSJRt256XbU8caX6XZk0LW9XyuO5uviSil56nSM7xu4eQt_vxGFPYk-eKJS6j5XTKlT2lqoc/s3264/Beckenham%2010.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1546" data-original-width="3264" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-Prw6EWnBOJ4WD3xLwmNDRNysSakp3Kpk-qSlR6ZNcyceE_gi1w9oOqxYbEWz28CgWCjSzsKJPHS_G0MLDY7644WfTFGrCa9qPNN3TK_-M4cpqWioIFWSJRt256XbU8caX6XZk0LW9XyuO5uviSil56nSM7xu4eQt_vxGFPYk-eKJS6j5XTKlT2lqoc/w640-h304/Beckenham%2010.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Lastly, I'd like to thank all of the volunteers who enabled the event to go ahead.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Related Links:</b></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10076225068" target="_blank">The course GPS data</a> (October 2023)</div><div><a href="https://youtu.be/5EIB1PZoCNQ?si=E0JQzA2CRKeR6GBh" target="_blank">The Relive course fly-by</a> (October 2023)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.facebook.com/beckenhamplaceparkrun/posts/pfbid02vFNs6jiisyGwcGAF1XtXXHKgDYtqGB45S66RSzQjf8AtBK2oN4fSUydy8ah8d1Fkl" target="_blank">Winter 2023-2024 Temporary Course Map</a> (Beckenham Place parkrun's Facebook page)</div><div><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10162410959" target="_blank">2023-2024 Temporary course GPS data</a> (From 4 November 2023 - original data not mine)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/792000346" target="_blank">The original course GPS data</a> (December 2013)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-london-parkruns.html" target="_blank">The London parkrun venues</a> (blog7t page)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2013/11/beckenham-trail-10k-2013.html" target="_blank">Beckenham Trail 10k 2013</a> (blog7t)</div><div><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2015/05/beckenham-team-relay-2015.html" target="_blank">Beckenham Team Relay 2015</a> (blog7t)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2017/10/meridian-line-parkruns.html" target="_blank">The Meridian Line parkruns</a> (blog7t)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>copy7thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07869260780729697873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8778671273358983652.post-91491583645095223672023-10-08T14:06:00.036+01:002023-10-08T19:46:03.167+01:00Somerdale Pavilion parkrunAbout halfway between the City of Bristol and City of Bath lies the town of Keynsham. The site of the town has been occupied since prehistoric times and has a current population of approximately 20,000 people. The earliest written record of the town is from c.980 when it was recorded as Cægineshamme. It was subsequently recorded in the Domesday book as Cainesham and the modern town retains the same pronunciation. The original source of the name is not certain, but the most popular theory seems to be that it takes its name from Saint Keyne (or Keyna) who apparently lived locally in, what was then, an uninhabitable serpent infested area. Her prayers are said to have turned the serpents to stone, thus making the area habitable.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgar8J50duxOuFsCXE_5VkhxxBCHOO_A9cl5H34U7Kkd6KYXQ8ntqveCpNDs06yrnkAWfgxSt14HvDUnp74HXhhJD_Ad8ZyzpTkPpqoeRE-HqP_juBc-kEq9_imfLlxWSBUXLKxGjhW9znONU4Sq8SAN950TOukW32sQaxKXNL3ozmut7R9NKxJPf6Kkl4/s3264/curly%20wurly%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1330" data-original-width="3264" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgar8J50duxOuFsCXE_5VkhxxBCHOO_A9cl5H34U7Kkd6KYXQ8ntqveCpNDs06yrnkAWfgxSt14HvDUnp74HXhhJD_Ad8ZyzpTkPpqoeRE-HqP_juBc-kEq9_imfLlxWSBUXLKxGjhW9znONU4Sq8SAN950TOukW32sQaxKXNL3ozmut7R9NKxJPf6Kkl4/w640-h260/curly%20wurly%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>A settlement existed here during Roman times and it is thought to be the site of the lost Roman town of Trajectus. This theory is supported by the large number of Roman houses and artifacts found in the town. One of the most significant is a villa on the site of Keynsham Cemetery which is thought to be one of the grandest Roman villas in Britain. The foundations of a Roman building can be viewed near the town's train station, however this is not the original site of the house, they were excavated during the construction of a factory in the 1920's and relocated here for display. Also, the town's library has displays of Roman pottery and some of the mosaic floors that were removed during excavations. A further 15 buildings and a Roman road were discovered in 2012.</div><div><br /></div><div>Around 1166, the Earl of Gloucester founded the monastic Keynsham Abbey, in the town. It operated until 1539 when King Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries saw it closed and slowly stripped of all of its materials. Many of the stones were reused in buildings, bridges and walls around the town. A small section of the ruins of the abbey remains. What little there is left is now Grade I Listed and a Scheduled Ancient Monument. The town is situated at the confluence of the River Avon and the River Chew, and this historically led to regular floods. While this problem has largely been resolved, the northern part of the town, called Keynsham Hams, is still a flood plain.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCSkOGVY2piLRf38TMFw3JBpfk3qwMEv_hnjjWQPdkp7IHr5sQvIwvtwsFBUSbT9SRE-S1vU74NOtEZeu2FGU9vQTQSNjVlHHxBswLQZDdrAhPXFRZQ9ylvI-sxoA-k_hb7bhg1X2NvOGiqr9l3-2XbnO_3NoHQzRz9G1WaGSwX7_lAO9VAiJNOV0yYM/s3264/curly%20wurly%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1330" data-original-width="3264" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCSkOGVY2piLRf38TMFw3JBpfk3qwMEv_hnjjWQPdkp7IHr5sQvIwvtwsFBUSbT9SRE-S1vU74NOtEZeu2FGU9vQTQSNjVlHHxBswLQZDdrAhPXFRZQ9ylvI-sxoA-k_hb7bhg1X2NvOGiqr9l3-2XbnO_3NoHQzRz9G1WaGSwX7_lAO9VAiJNOV0yYM/w640-h260/curly%20wurly%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>In the 1920s, the Fry's chocolate company (J.S Fry & Sons), which had recently merged with Cadbury's, built a factory (the one mentioned above), housing, a social club, and sports facilities in the Keynsham Hams part of town. Following a national competition, the development was named Somerdale Garden City. Somerdale Factory initially produced Fry's chocolate products such as Fry's Chocolate Cream, which was the world's first mass-produced chocolate bar. During the Second World War, chocolate production was reduced due to rationing and, according to Wikipedia, part of the factory was used by Rolls-Royce to manufacture their Merlin engines. These were used in many famous war aircraft including the Spitfire and the Hurricane.</div><div><br /></div><div>Somerdale Factory went on to produce many of Cadbury's most well-known and loved chocolate products including Dairy Milk, Crunchie, Buttons, Creme Eggs, Cadbury's Fudge, Double Decker, and most importantly for the subject of this write-up, the Curly Wurly. It continued to produce chocolate until it was closed down in 2011. The site has since been redeveloped with many new homes, but importantly, the area still retains the same ethos that was installed previously with social facilities and community at its heart. Some of the original chocolate factory buildings have been refurbished and, together with some newly built blocks, are called The Chocolate Quarter retirement village. This comprises assisted-living apartments, cafes, restaurants, bars, entertainment facilities, community garden and workshops. Many of these facilities are open to the wider community.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtFiMHPTgpLAn19HenrQ2UZU1T8ltWUhgQxiqB93XxwMvutgsCjmtdto8zClamY5zvSvwCCqE31MSTHfMQIoXlPUtcoKl-njx-QHghT75eNXyaICJY-tzBMOnhLP45WEe6HN8rLkWeihhDAwH-r0IH2gWc8kvtzcbOopFdaUkgDCpTjDSAo35DSxAc8xo/s3264/curly%20wurly%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1330" data-original-width="3264" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtFiMHPTgpLAn19HenrQ2UZU1T8ltWUhgQxiqB93XxwMvutgsCjmtdto8zClamY5zvSvwCCqE31MSTHfMQIoXlPUtcoKl-njx-QHghT75eNXyaICJY-tzBMOnhLP45WEe6HN8rLkWeihhDAwH-r0IH2gWc8kvtzcbOopFdaUkgDCpTjDSAo35DSxAc8xo/w640-h260/curly%20wurly%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>There is also a brand new sports, health and leisure centre called <a href="https://www.somerdalepavilion.org.uk/" target="_blank">Somerdale Pavilion</a>. Keynsham Hams (also now known as Somerfield Meadows) is nestled into an area adjacent to the River Avon and is now the location of many sports including golf, rugby, football and baseball. Adjacent to the sports fields is the volunteer run <a href="https://www.shamxross.com/" target="_blank">ShamXcross</a> cyclo-cross track. By kind permission, their track is used on Saturday mornings for the town's free, weekly, timed 5k community event called <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/somerdalepavilion/" target="_blank">Somerdale Pavilion parkrun</a> which had its inaugural event in November 2018. Like ShamXcross it is also run by volunteers and is open to all abilities including those who wish to walk. We visited the town to take part in the parkrun on 7 October 2023 which was their event number 154.</div><div><br /></div><div>As this venue is quite far away from home for us, we stayed overnight in a Premier Inn. The closest one is Bristol South (7 miles away), but as they had run out of family rooms, we stayed in the Bristol East Premier Inn (Emersons Green). Although further away (8 miles) it was actually a quicker drive due to the nature of the roads used. Once in Keynsham there are a few parking options. The option recommended on the parkrun's course page, is to park in Somerdale Pavilion's Lower Car Park. The current (2023) fee for the car park is 60p per hour and payment can be made by cash or by using the RingGo app.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrM_DeJ9qshMDWnhRRdiDAUFmJfb8IpfVqsKx8pZk7Dm_XTdm_FbqoO7eSsPoaaH6-oJerkehd1WWinF8LEZo3Sox0Ly5ZHL2Uc5bZHQhxFErjYOzb_Et9Bsq4nJM5DK70GDoH1zr5lvTZp1y__VazZnhF8dqURr3-P3bEl9wMCyexqAjnBdg8tT1vsnY/s3264/curly%20wurly%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1330" data-original-width="3264" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrM_DeJ9qshMDWnhRRdiDAUFmJfb8IpfVqsKx8pZk7Dm_XTdm_FbqoO7eSsPoaaH6-oJerkehd1WWinF8LEZo3Sox0Ly5ZHL2Uc5bZHQhxFErjYOzb_Et9Bsq4nJM5DK70GDoH1zr5lvTZp1y__VazZnhF8dqURr3-P3bEl9wMCyexqAjnBdg8tT1vsnY/w640-h260/curly%20wurly%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The main Somerdale Pavilion car park has the same payment arrangement, but it is requested that parkrunners do not use it unless the lower car park fills up. I would add that if paying by RingGo the two car parks have separate location codes, so make sure you use the one that matches the car park you are in. The letters on some of the spaces indicate areas that are reserved for permit holders between Monday and Friday only. Some people may prefer to park for free, and this can be achieved by using the train station's overspill car park, leaving a 900 metre walk to the pavilion via a footpath which follows the route of the Chocolate factory's former branch line. Visitors to the parkrun should refrain from using any free on-street parking within the new housing development as this is likely to result in complaints to the parkrun volunteer team.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anybody arriving by public transport from outside the town can use the train and alight at Keynsham station which is served by Great Western Railway trains from Bristol to the north-west and from Bath to the South-east. If travelling by train from London there is no direct train, but you can easily change at Bath Spa. Similarly anyone arriving by bus would alight at the bus stop outside the station (some buses may go a bit closer and stop outside the Chocolate Quarter buildings). The onward walk to the pavilion is about 750 metres. For cyclists, there is a bike rack just outside the pavilion, next to the main car park.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NDJiPTgYMjjpJdlv1fIlrJToFHnr-HjhcJXROIEK4ZbnQBU3do4O3jsIgjwVeFp3soofLn_9YqX6xGqJTEE1yDMqumOfMSGK8RxeQz3l7r9MXyhEB1hUKvcZX9h76-MnateXx6X9KWYwWO2AjrdxTpb0VsbrrcutL030TxaK6s7gez1wObJcXfrLOFE/s3264/curly%20wurly%205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1330" data-original-width="3264" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NDJiPTgYMjjpJdlv1fIlrJToFHnr-HjhcJXROIEK4ZbnQBU3do4O3jsIgjwVeFp3soofLn_9YqX6xGqJTEE1yDMqumOfMSGK8RxeQz3l7r9MXyhEB1hUKvcZX9h76-MnateXx6X9KWYwWO2AjrdxTpb0VsbrrcutL030TxaK6s7gez1wObJcXfrLOFE/w640-h260/curly%20wurly%205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Should toilet facilities be required, the pavilion has some and these are advertised as being open from 8.30am, I wouldn't expect to have access before that time as the building was locked completely locked until the first member of staff turned up at about 8.25am. The actual start area for the parkrun is a further 300 metres to the north of the pavilion, just follow the grass along the side of the main enclosed football pitch. The briefings take place over at the start area.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Somerdale Pavilion parkrun course is wholly within the cyclo-cross track area, which is private land and not accessible to parkrunners outside of the agreed Saturday morning arrangement - this means that you can not turn up and freedom run the course at other times. Also, the sports ground and cyclo-cross area do not allow dogs, and that rule extends to parkrun. To be clear, it's a no dogs on-site policy, so best leave any four-legged friends elsewhere.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNE6-BfIa8I2OHBhfhe-mqpoiDvwa_TYdWOYlFFS7xkPJw5XMTmJGatIjb31xVl8jRuPCQIe8EY2bMECbuAf2j_Z0zlTh_rcXp_Bm9FIOLbHzmI0d7qy_i0gDp9xpGnyN2eRie_56Aav8tk9A7Ex8xrSt_aSLEMFXJPBdrRBTpp01hGXL4AnXt1E111c/s3264/curly%20wurly%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1330" data-original-width="3264" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNE6-BfIa8I2OHBhfhe-mqpoiDvwa_TYdWOYlFFS7xkPJw5XMTmJGatIjb31xVl8jRuPCQIe8EY2bMECbuAf2j_Z0zlTh_rcXp_Bm9FIOLbHzmI0d7qy_i0gDp9xpGnyN2eRie_56Aav8tk9A7Ex8xrSt_aSLEMFXJPBdrRBTpp01hGXL4AnXt1E111c/w640-h260/curly%20wurly%206.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The parkrun takes place on a flat, two-and-a-bit lap course. This is a 100% off-road course and underfoot is grass, which can get quite muddy during the winter. Please note that the area is a flood plain and can easily become waterlogged (see this <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/somerdalepavilion/news/2019/12/20/rain-rain-go-away/" target="_blank">news post</a> for some photos). If planning a visit during the winter or any other time where groundwater levels could be high, keep a very close eye on the event's social media pages as cancellations are likely. The highest cancellation risk appears to be during December, January and February.</div><div><br /></div><div>As far as footwear choice is concerned, trail shoes would be my preference all year round. Despite there being virtually no rain for at least the last week, the ground had still held onto some water, and I found my feet were completely soaked through before the parkrun had even started. I'd read beforehand that the surface underfoot is quite bumpy, but I wouldn't describe it as being any more bumpy than any other grass course. Buggy runners are welcome, and while I'm sure wheelchair users would also be welcome, the event's stats seem to suggest that there has never been a wheelchair athlete participating here.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9RP2XgUZC0hbnx4q_NpO86IbKTm1uVwl5P76yMuNcDlE-5yXoXyRH-FeQonVr0MeZp0V5WGmZkpVQMO_jP91cLKrhtiWBcCWEOKHKtuPpdrxlHXFbbYiBIN84KT2rOF33JfWGQoT6_X5hPVE8HH8rGr-XZB0dTsbAsdQ9FwM4tzWQXqNbLUHoPM65vg/s3264/curly%20wurly%207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1330" data-original-width="3264" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9RP2XgUZC0hbnx4q_NpO86IbKTm1uVwl5P76yMuNcDlE-5yXoXyRH-FeQonVr0MeZp0V5WGmZkpVQMO_jP91cLKrhtiWBcCWEOKHKtuPpdrxlHXFbbYiBIN84KT2rOF33JfWGQoT6_X5hPVE8HH8rGr-XZB0dTsbAsdQ9FwM4tzWQXqNbLUHoPM65vg/w640-h260/curly%20wurly%207.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>At 9am the event gets underway when the participants are sent on their way around one of parkrun's most incredibly bonkers courses! I'd usually attempt to give a more detailed course description at this point in a write-up, but with this particular venue, it would be impossible for me to do so. It really needs to be experienced! The course starts near the track's main entrance and weaves and curves around all over the place, very little time is spent moving in a straight line. The cyclo-cross paths are mown grass and the non-path grasses are usually left to grow a little longer, so it is easy to see where the paths are. There are plenty of arrows, cones, stanchions and marshals around the course to make sure everyone follows the right route through the maze of mown cyclo-cross paths.</div><div><br /></div><div>The highlight of the course is the now-very-famous section called the Curly Wurly. For anyone not familiar with it, it is a spiral which you enter going in a clockwise direction and at the centre you switch and come back out in an anti-clockwise direction. The Curly Wurly is negotiated three times throughout the five kilometre course, so you get to enjoy it multiple times. For some it may feel a bit dizzying, but seeing a couple of hundred people going round it at the same time is an incredible sight. The Curly Wurly name, although specific to this particular section of the course, is also a very good description of the entire 5k route, as well as tying in nicely with the area's chocolate-making heritage.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3lmbbkTWBN4aiBfm-wUYFJQkKEjXABvESXjY6wK3SH8CqT2Glctdc97QoosTQ8a8g3B3R5OZxea_RdepiNNayykIPGgouXVfYlBOEfQALWrENKm_G_Ki9jlq6N12412LRgcVJURQOGBWWszIEr-Eb3tN5VzggrAAATTI4wyIO0i3BsCkJnPbEAI81Ec0/s3264/curly%20wurly%208.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1130" data-original-width="3264" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3lmbbkTWBN4aiBfm-wUYFJQkKEjXABvESXjY6wK3SH8CqT2Glctdc97QoosTQ8a8g3B3R5OZxea_RdepiNNayykIPGgouXVfYlBOEfQALWrENKm_G_Ki9jlq6N12412LRgcVJURQOGBWWszIEr-Eb3tN5VzggrAAATTI4wyIO0i3BsCkJnPbEAI81Ec0/w640-h222/curly%20wurly%208.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The rest of the course, while not quite as tight and twisty as its famous spiral, turns from left to right, right to left, has 180-degree turns, weaves in and out, and round and round, but never crosses itself. To the non-parkrunning bystanders, the sight of two-hundred-or-so people running all over the place in different directions must look totally barmy. To the initiated, it is simply a wonderful experience on a totally unique course where it is difficult to not spend the whole time smiling. I can say without doubt that it is one of the most memorable and fun parkruns out there.</div><div><br /></div><div>The finish is found just after the third time around the Curly Wurly, where you can simply head across the line, collect a finish token and have it scanned, along with your personal barcode, right after the finish line. I recorded the course using my Garmin and you can view the course <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/9991782483" target="_blank">GPS data</a> on the Strava website. That same data was used to create a Relive course <a href="https://youtu.be/H0rxlW1n1X8?si=C0da7tOXFc5xfnAF" target="_blank">fly-by video</a> that can be viewed on YouTube. I will note that the current course is negotiated in a clockwise direction, whereas the original course was anti-clockwise. There are a couple of minor differences with the exact paths used, but the underlying essence of the course remains the same.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizpTqYWPiPAzYMkauqRr2ziVzIUkFv8a9bvrMAegO2Ya0Z7atggxa8ZYWnP6zOexaWPcSI_CPCwcMRb8AOqK7FXVUMdWuksLujL4Ff-WmvnRGqJ3jV8_VLCwQHf_HEIoWo3_sPnutSpIwgLTodPfhwkoKuCME4Y8Lm9vV_imF0dwz90ki6SMlCaoMKuHI/s3264/curly%20wurly%209.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1130" data-original-width="3264" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizpTqYWPiPAzYMkauqRr2ziVzIUkFv8a9bvrMAegO2Ya0Z7atggxa8ZYWnP6zOexaWPcSI_CPCwcMRb8AOqK7FXVUMdWuksLujL4Ff-WmvnRGqJ3jV8_VLCwQHf_HEIoWo3_sPnutSpIwgLTodPfhwkoKuCME4Y8Lm9vV_imF0dwz90ki6SMlCaoMKuHI/w640-h222/curly%20wurly%209.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/somerdalepavilion/results/154/" target="_blank">results for event 154</a> were processed and published online a short while later, and 155 people took part. The number of attendees tends to hover in the mid-high 100's, occasionally breaking into the 200's, during good conditions, and generally falls down to the low 100's during the winter. Even when the course is not flooded, it can still have a wetness about it, so I would recommend having a spare pair of shoes and socks to change into post parkrun. Talking about post-parkrun, the official social refreshments venue is the Somerdale Pavilion Sports Bar, which we visited. It's pretty nice, and they do ask that muddy shoes are not worn inside (there is a shoe cleaning station outside). They serve all kinds of breakfast options from cereals to full English breakfasts, including the largest selection of vegetarian and vegan options (breakfast and lunch) I've ever seen in a regular cafe.</div><div><br /></div><div>After the parkrun, we explored the town a little where we found some of the Roman history noted above, as well as finding the remains of Keynsham Abbey. We also found the War Memorial, Joseph Fry memorial statue and a statue of Peter Pan, which was presented to the factory owners by the employees in 1928 to mark the company's bicentenary. We also had a wander around Keynsham Memorial Park and saw the Roman mosaic floor in the town's library. We left the town around midday and started our journey back home to Kent via <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/" target="_blank">Stonehenge</a> where <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/9994543443" target="_blank">we added another 7km</a> to the day's activities.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAinEiQN3CwPDC7TPRR9d3wEpS26a06r9wMyZ23TAuwqAkW5vsHjPqR0h2_A60V8BP7hdCKQhiC45dk15f3vGUpslfIdNARydamAPEU4UvHUWG0BDpPzBvqlX-tYwRlUBJAJejxM0O6sr1iRKpKwdDDgIApCRlro-xvDBmkfAqkMbPbXl1Y8KmWLQK_qk/s3264/curly%20wurly%2010.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1013" data-original-width="3264" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAinEiQN3CwPDC7TPRR9d3wEpS26a06r9wMyZ23TAuwqAkW5vsHjPqR0h2_A60V8BP7hdCKQhiC45dk15f3vGUpslfIdNARydamAPEU4UvHUWG0BDpPzBvqlX-tYwRlUBJAJejxM0O6sr1iRKpKwdDDgIApCRlro-xvDBmkfAqkMbPbXl1Y8KmWLQK_qk/w640-h198/curly%20wurly%2010.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>It had been a great morning at Somerdale Pavilion and I was happy to have visited another one of parkrun's famous venues. It really is so unique, and I would add it to your must-do list. A huge thank you goes to all the volunteers that helped to make the event happen.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Related links:</b></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/9991782483" target="_blank">My GPS course data</a> (7 October 2023)</div><div><a href="https://youtu.be/H0rxlW1n1X8?si=C0da7tOXFc5xfnAF" target="_blank">The Relive course fly-by</a> (7 October 2023)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>copy7thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07869260780729697873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8778671273358983652.post-92121926787541397842023-10-01T13:24:00.004+01:002023-10-01T18:53:22.530+01:00Dover Waterfront parkrunDover is a town on the south east coast of the English <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-kent-parkruns.html" target="_blank">county of Kent</a>, with a population of just over 30,000 people. It famously sits at the point of England that is closest to mainland Europe, however, the location was once joined to France by a chalk ridge which separated the English Channel from the North Sea. It is thought that this land bridge was first breached around 450,000 years ago, possibly due to melting ice from the North Sea. A second, larger, breach is thought to have occurred about 200,000 years ago and by 100,000 years ago, the North Sea and English Channel were fully joined, as they remain to this day. The boundary between the two is now known as the Strait of Dover, which is the busiest shipping lane in the whole world.<div><br /></div><div>Dover has historically been the point where people and goods from the continent have entered England, and this goes as far back as the Stone Age when it is thought people would have crossed the land bridge. It is often referred to as 'The Gateway to England'. During Julius Caesar's first attempt at invading Britain, he had initially tried to land his ships at Dover, however, the location was heavily defended and he had to abandon the plan. Once the Romans eventually conquered Britain 100 years later, the area became known as Portus Dubris - named after 'Dubras' the British word meaning 'the waters'. It would also have been a base for Classis Britannica, the Roman naval fleet that patrolled the channel.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCbCqeBVHTTjlWNvuA_JRaSBMehjV9CB_B5HkXy-CxzzL1qJuJ5Ifs8myVvTF3EWbAiC5xIRLDSRgfJJbrA8fkp19zrgKYx_enY5_EvZ71kX9QXR_kyn5dHLpopisZMkNdpDn_XXwNoCrmPGf6RKVc-PLwbxocxlND3OsG0nH265ctvSWG_7MX6t8ebo/s3264/Dover%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1532" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCbCqeBVHTTjlWNvuA_JRaSBMehjV9CB_B5HkXy-CxzzL1qJuJ5Ifs8myVvTF3EWbAiC5xIRLDSRgfJJbrA8fkp19zrgKYx_enY5_EvZ71kX9QXR_kyn5dHLpopisZMkNdpDn_XXwNoCrmPGf6RKVc-PLwbxocxlND3OsG0nH265ctvSWG_7MX6t8ebo/w640-h300/Dover%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Over 50 Roman structures have been discovered in the town by archaeologists, a notable one is known as the Roman Painted House - noted to be the finest Roman house on display in Britain (currently closed for repairs). Another significant Roman structure is the lighthouse, called a 'pharos', which is one of only three remaining Roman lighthouses in the world. It is said to be the most complete standing Roman structure in England. The town did have a second pharos on another hill, but that is no longer standing. Dover also has a river called the River Dour, it is an extremely rare 'chalk stream', of which there are only just over 200 in the entire world. </div><div><br /></div><div>As well as being a prime spot for goods, visitors and immigrants to enter the country, it was also at risk from invasion or attack. Fortunately the hills on either side of the harbour made great spots for defensive structures. The west side of the harbour is home to a hilltop fortification, <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/western-heights-dover/" target="_blank">The Western Heights of Dover</a>. Built throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, this site contains The Citadel, The Drop Redoubt, and The Grand Shaft, which has a unique-to-Britain triple spiral staircase. It was built to allow easy movement of troops between the fort and the harbour. The entire complex is noted as being one of the most impressive fortifications in Britain.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2oWH73DjxrmPfOM1mfn-WjM3xxRjKU26nI7dbURiMRntwgPj33MZndZFPgN0UlWSDvlwbSPE6720EQPaGxygHAG45G1uHmn5CmEi8rStzEJ0f3JmlJdZJNZ3HIKbQpE4A683lwSv8UsX2d8vpDqyV8Edhdiez6WJVfjdxjUZ116c2u0gimIZTcD0r95w/s3264/Dover%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1694" data-original-width="3264" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2oWH73DjxrmPfOM1mfn-WjM3xxRjKU26nI7dbURiMRntwgPj33MZndZFPgN0UlWSDvlwbSPE6720EQPaGxygHAG45G1uHmn5CmEi8rStzEJ0f3JmlJdZJNZ3HIKbQpE4A683lwSv8UsX2d8vpDqyV8Edhdiez6WJVfjdxjUZ116c2u0gimIZTcD0r95w/w640-h332/Dover%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Sitting on the opposite side of the harbour, atop the east cliff, is the famous Dover Castle. It was founded in the 11th Century, and may possibly be on the site of an older defensive fort. The castle was always intended to be a defensive structure rather than a residence, and has been modified many times over the years. The site covers 30 acres and, if measured by this metric, makes Dover the largest castle in the country. It is Grade I Listed. The grounds are also home to the Secret Wartime Tunnels which have been carved into the chalk rock, and the remaining Roman pharos. Further over to the east lie the famous White Cliffs of Dover.</div><div><br /></div><div>The seafront is dominated by the Port of Dover, one of the world's busiest maritime passenger ports. There is also a marina, a cargo terminal and a cruise terminal. Somehow amongst all of that, there remains enough space for a rather pleasant esplanade area with a beach and even a sea sports centre. In fact the whole section of waterfront here has an ongoing regeneration project taking place, and part of this has seen a brand new pier installed. On 9 September 2023 the waterfront area became home to its very own free, weekly, timed 5k event called <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/doverwaterfront/" target="_blank">Dover Waterfront parkrun</a>. It is open to all abilities including wheelchair users and those who wish to walk. The parkrun meeting point is just outside the Dover Sea Sports Centre, on the Esplanade.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWve0Fd-qX-_Soflh_emTa1EBhprQnwJVVo02mTPFibQXYCnkSjbPXJep7Eex5ObkhfYNWUCX6Hpc7f23R_CV9PoCvS7RtIpP_XwiNicAWt7-OvdYxbo0idkrdJgkXHiGH1qSalCRc0kZxcUV99IIoTx-r926BEgsav4R_7GDGJmyhWVyk2dvBeccAcM/s3264/Dover%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="3264" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWve0Fd-qX-_Soflh_emTa1EBhprQnwJVVo02mTPFibQXYCnkSjbPXJep7Eex5ObkhfYNWUCX6Hpc7f23R_CV9PoCvS7RtIpP_XwiNicAWt7-OvdYxbo0idkrdJgkXHiGH1qSalCRc0kZxcUV99IIoTx-r926BEgsav4R_7GDGJmyhWVyk2dvBeccAcM/w640-h376/Dover%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>We visited Dover Waterfront parkrun on 30 September to take part in event 4. We could have just driven down on the morning of the event as it is only an hour away from home, but we decided to make it an extended trip and we stayed overnight in the Premier Inn which is right on the sea front with free guest parking. On the morning of the parkrun, we simply rolled out of bed and walked 800 metres or so to the meeting point. The seafront walkway was opened in 1960 to 'commemorate the tercentenary of the landing at Dover of King Charles II on the occasion of the restoration of the monarchy'. </div><div><br /></div><div>If we had arrived on Saturday morning, there is parking all along the Esplanade for which a fee needs to be paid via RingGo, cash or card (I subsequently heard that they are RingGo only, but haven't verified this). The <a href="https://www.dover.gov.uk/Transport,-Streets--Parking/Parking/Car-Parks-in-Dover.aspx" target="_blank">Dover District Council website has a page</a> showing information for all of their car parks including the available payment methods. The official parkrun <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/doverwaterfront/course/" target="_blank">course page</a> mentions Union Street car park, but this car park has seasonal restrictions. Only Dover Harbour Board Permit Holders can use it between 1 April and 31 October. The next closest car park is Harbour House car park - this also has restrictions, but according to the Dover District Council website, members of the public can use it at certain times - again a fee applies. If looking for free parking, a couple of options seem to be; the St James Retail and Leisure Park car park which allows free parking for the first hour of your stay (a ticket is still required). I've also heard that the town centre Morrisons has a car park which is free for three hours.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXPrBVEsmNZrQXabZaGruCrvDR2CQFT78e80y32lcF_59zuEqOCYXRQbq6KsvSO3fH0Xag2HXKsb8nK2FjrVwlxNB2ZjWxNH4HU9kFgj223WHsSdwutwGKTTuZTiZlR54Uwbm_yudc0qc_fQTtkNUJu3I8UHjPUVn2HuUiV2Uke8txPtgsGJZ-jGEpDvk/s3264/Dover%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1592" data-original-width="3264" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXPrBVEsmNZrQXabZaGruCrvDR2CQFT78e80y32lcF_59zuEqOCYXRQbq6KsvSO3fH0Xag2HXKsb8nK2FjrVwlxNB2ZjWxNH4HU9kFgj223WHsSdwutwGKTTuZTiZlR54Uwbm_yudc0qc_fQTtkNUJu3I8UHjPUVn2HuUiV2Uke8txPtgsGJZ-jGEpDvk/w640-h312/Dover%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>If arriving by public transport, the closest train station is Dover Priory, which is built on the grounds of, you guessed it, Dover Priory. From the station the walk is about 1.5km. The closest bus stop looks to be served by the 64 bus service, but if travelling from outside of Dover, I'd imagine any bus that stops in the town centre area would be close enough. Again the onward walk would be no longer than about 1.5km. If arriving by bicycle there are four bicycle racks near the start, but also plenty of metal balustrade around the start area. I'm pleased to report that once at the meeting point there are public toilets and these are advertised as being open from 7am all year round (just pop across the marina bridge and they are on your left).</div><div><br /></div><div>The briefings take place at the meeting point and at 9am the parkrun gets underway. The <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/doverwaterfront/course/" target="_blank">Dover Waterfront parkrun course</a> configuration is quite unique and can be described in a few ways. You could say it has two different out-and-back (OAB) sections, with a total of three out-and-backs needed to complete the five kilometres. The course goes - OAB1, then OAB2, then OAB1 again. Another way to look at it would be to divide the course into two 2.5km sections where the second 2.5km is a mirror image of the first 2.5km section. Underfoot is 100% tarmac, so road shoes are perfectly fine here all year round. It is a flat course, but considering it is on the seafront, I expect it'll suffer from wind coming off the sea at times. Being flat and tarmac, it is of course perfectly fine for buggy runners and wheelchair users. However please note that dogs are not permitted at this event.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3iI4Pq2CAoQtQ1TLswg6rznTcR6XX8w8Wm7_pA1bDHrqe6IdLz4W__ZCaS51tw8N4DObIxXvl9QhisDfTpPgKacb_-NF6DGfB8RvbYzB6e2EChyphenhyphenUmP0PH9ayY9q6u0qeByRKRbcsTq8YYniyyK5DEFYiNvwNZB9jKfuQLNBv_Wi0WLCE0yCJR5MPHQZg/s3264/Dover%205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1592" data-original-width="3264" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3iI4Pq2CAoQtQ1TLswg6rznTcR6XX8w8Wm7_pA1bDHrqe6IdLz4W__ZCaS51tw8N4DObIxXvl9QhisDfTpPgKacb_-NF6DGfB8RvbYzB6e2EChyphenhyphenUmP0PH9ayY9q6u0qeByRKRbcsTq8YYniyyK5DEFYiNvwNZB9jKfuQLNBv_Wi0WLCE0yCJR5MPHQZg/w640-h312/Dover%205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>From the start, the parkrunners head to the north along the esplanade with the stunning sight of Dover Castle sitting proudly atop the cliffs. The immediate section of path has a small pinch-point where some steps and a ramp are positioned, but it opens up after that. To the right is Dover Harbour which should mostly be quite still as it is protected by the Dover Breakwater about a kilometre-or-so beyond the shore. Dover Beach is also to the right hand side, incidentally it is the name of a poem by Matthew Arnold, said to be the third great Victorian poet. To the left is Waterloo Crescent, which is a conservation area. The late 19th century buildings are Graded II Listed and consist mainly of hotels. There is also a Marco Pierre White fish & chip shop / restaurant. I understand he is a famous chef. The path along the seafront is very well appointed, containing nicely landscaped grass and bushes. There is also a Dunkirk memorial stone here - the evacuation of Dunkirk had its control centre in Dover Castle's grounds.</div><div><br /></div><div>As the course progresses along the esplanade there are three bronze statues, these are of Jamie Clark who brought the Olympic torch to Dover in the run up to the 2012 Olympics, and Ian Fleming most famous for writing the James Bond novels, who lived locally. The final one is of Dame Vera Lynn, who of course sang 'The White Cliffs of Dover' and was most well-known for her musical performances, and helping keep up morale, during the Second World War. Next to the statues is quite a discreet installation, a start/finish line set into the ground - it marks the beginning/end of The North Downs Way. The two portland stone blocks are called 'On The Crest of a Wave' and commemorate those who have swum across the English Channel. Looking out across the channel on a clear day, the coast of France is clearly visible on the horizon.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnL5l_rxCu-t6k62Xun7kn_KUtqV9LYlpBaXqNJdMsV52lnALoTwYgMDmBY8K-wBl3yWLBttT2oR93krw2yfnVbELKaslciuEO0S1hbFzFIYnqeEFGjD5nb5YFPuR86G0dDLIFCOZb8pD4Q3PatKkaJmWhMiytVavXBUKMftjS6kJmUTNssinGME4ZOkg/s3264/Dover%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1592" data-original-width="3264" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnL5l_rxCu-t6k62Xun7kn_KUtqV9LYlpBaXqNJdMsV52lnALoTwYgMDmBY8K-wBl3yWLBttT2oR93krw2yfnVbELKaslciuEO0S1hbFzFIYnqeEFGjD5nb5YFPuR86G0dDLIFCOZb8pD4Q3PatKkaJmWhMiytVavXBUKMftjS6kJmUTNssinGME4ZOkg/w640-h312/Dover%206.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>At the end of Waterloo Crescent the grassy landscaped waterfront marina area finishes and the seafront takes on a harsher feel. The beach disappears and so does the grass. Across the road are many more statues and memorial stones. There is one of Charles Stewart Rolls, co-founder of Rolls-Royce. He is commemorated here as he was the first person to cross the channel and return in a single flight. Incidentally, he was the first Briton to be killed in an aeronautical accident with a powered aircraft. There is also one of Captain Andrew Webb, first person to swim across the English Channel. The course continues and soon passes the Premier Inn where the white cliffs now dominate the immediate skyline. The turn-around point at the end of the first out-and-back is found here right next to the traffic crossing.</div><div><br /></div><div>The course now simply follows the waterfront path back to the start area. The second of the out-and-backs is, I think, unique for an English parkrun, as it takes place on the pier. It is approximately 500 metres each way with a loop around the shelter at the end, and is a brilliant feature of the course. The pier (Dover Marina Pier) was opened to the public in 2019, being constructed as part of the redevelopment of the marina area. The views from the end are great, but you may need to wander back across after the parkrun to enjoy them fully. Once back at the start area, the last thing to do is repeat the first out-and-back again. The finish line is found right back at the original start area. Barcode scanning takes place right after the finish line. I recorded the course with my Garmin and you can see <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/9947342516" target="_blank">the data/map on Strava</a>. I also imported the data into the Relive app and created a <a href="https://youtu.be/1U-Bj6U_85Q?si=eZmF79pIgom7hxR9" target="_blank">course fly-by which can be viewed on YouTube</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzfVdwuk7yHmqWbEcA0bINA2BZpc-0OTvAbHo8Nwe4wzGWQOePN-8oTBEnNZ5zEXhjebE-fAbw2S8HYiXbqwKW4Ax75Aq16nDomiWKRmy3228K8w-vORF6306BeK29lQrtIV4nROSN9Ufo5mwwMUMkGt65R0MiJ8MCxpAHqIAUW6gwVjcjBBacvX4q9Q/s3264/Dover%207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1518" data-original-width="3264" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzfVdwuk7yHmqWbEcA0bINA2BZpc-0OTvAbHo8Nwe4wzGWQOePN-8oTBEnNZ5zEXhjebE-fAbw2S8HYiXbqwKW4Ax75Aq16nDomiWKRmy3228K8w-vORF6306BeK29lQrtIV4nROSN9Ufo5mwwMUMkGt65R0MiJ8MCxpAHqIAUW6gwVjcjBBacvX4q9Q/w640-h298/Dover%207.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Should the pier be closed, there is an alternative course, and because I like to be helpful, I ran it the night before, so I have the <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/9944118349" target="_blank">GPS data</a> and a <a href="https://youtu.be/hr53s0yV2XY?si=CAmfm9z_ABwTWo3-" target="_blank">Relive video</a> of that too. The alternative course is a double out-and-back on the waterfront path, but it continues for an extra 250 metres before reaching its turnaround point, which is right at the very end of the path, next to the ferry port. You'll know when you have reached the turnaround point because the path is a dead end, with the only options being to turn around or go down the small steps onto the concrete sea defences below. So you just do this twice and the 5 kilometres are complete.</div><div><br /></div><div>The results were processed and uploaded a short while later and 218 people took part in <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/doverwaterfront/results/4/" target="_blank">event 4</a>. This was roughly in line with the current expected attendances. I would imagine there are still quite a high percentage of tourists within those figures, so the actual long-term weekly average is still unknown. The post-event refreshments are listed as being at the Pedlar on the Port cafe, which is within the clock tower building just next to the start/finish area. It's not the only refreshments option, at time of writing, another outlet called Rebels Coffee was offering a special deal to parkrunners. Plus if you are hanging around longer and fancy some vegetarian or vegan food for lunch, there is a vegan place called Planet Earth Kitchen at the marina.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrt6cLAnBCh-ble48k5f0JgMS_jwq05jDof7LgW9IX_ODEkGUiCLbPwUtFq0CWr7gDvGoZMrIqKRgGOTW83dE-gdrBdZWacer38upti_U2XtwEDpABD92WnR9l94AUjulgosBrI40_5Qx-hCX889e8DEImMl5CYl1HuZcOTCY0_4ujzPd7vwO00Ogbok/s3264/Dover%208.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1518" data-original-width="3264" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrt6cLAnBCh-ble48k5f0JgMS_jwq05jDof7LgW9IX_ODEkGUiCLbPwUtFq0CWr7gDvGoZMrIqKRgGOTW83dE-gdrBdZWacer38upti_U2XtwEDpABD92WnR9l94AUjulgosBrI40_5Qx-hCX889e8DEImMl5CYl1HuZcOTCY0_4ujzPd7vwO00Ogbok/w640-h298/Dover%208.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>While in Dover, we visited <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/dover-castle/" target="_blank">Dover Castle</a> (it's quite expensive for a one-off visit, but we entered for free with our English Heritage Membership Cards), had a wander around the town centre, and visited <a href="https://www.dovermuseum.co.uk/Home.aspx" target="_blank">Dover Museum and Bronze Age Boat Gallery</a> (free entry). The boat gallery is home to the remains of the oldest known sea-faring boat in the world, which is thought to be around 3,500 years old. We didn't visit the <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/western-heights-dover/" target="_blank">Western Heights</a>, as The Drop Redoubt and The Grand Shaft are only open on select days throughout the year, so we didn't get to explore these. If these are important to your visit, then check the <a href="https://doverwesternheights.org/" target="_blank">Western Heights Preservation Society webpage</a> where open days are listed. </div><div><br /></div><div>Our brief visit to Dover had left us pretty worn out, so we hit the road back home at about midday. From a historical point of view, Dover is a great place to visit as it is full of wonderful historic links, and the addition of the parkrun is of course an added bonus. The view of the castle and the section along the pier were definitely the highlights for me. Thank you so much to all the volunteers for making it happen and for the very warm welcome!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Related Links:</b></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/9947342516" target="_blank">Dover Waterfront parkrun GPS data</a> (September 2023)</div><div><a href="https://youtu.be/1U-Bj6U_85Q?si=eZmF79pIgom7hxR9" target="_blank">Dover Waterfront parkrun course fly-by video</a> (September 2023)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/9944118349" target="_blank">Dover Waterfront parkrun B course GPS data</a> (September 2023)</div><div><a href="https://youtu.be/hr53s0yV2XY?si=TUlp6FAb_4BJglfJ" target="_blank">Dover Waterfront parkrun B course Fly-by Video</a> (September 2023)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-kent-parkruns.html" target="_blank">The Kent parkrun Venues</a> (blog7t page)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>copy7thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07869260780729697873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8778671273358983652.post-10599116500517578512023-09-25T18:43:00.003+01:002023-09-26T18:10:57.939+01:00Felixstowe parkrunFelixstowe is a town in the East Anglian county of <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2017/10/the-suffolk-parkrun-venues.html" target="_blank">Suffolk</a> with a population of around 25,000 people. The earliest records of its name are from 1254 where it is written as Filchestou, and then in 1291 when it was recorded as Filchestowe. The origin of the name is unclear, but the two main theories are that it could be named after Felix of Burgundy who may have been the person who introduced Christianity to East Anglia. The other is that it takes its name from 'the stow of Filica', so a place that belonged to someone called Filica. The town grew from its original location which is in the northern part of modern-day Felixstowe, now known as Old Felixstowe.<div><br /></div><div>The town sits on the coast of the North Sea, and is nestled in between the estuary at the mouths of the River Stour and River Orwell to its south, which is the approach to Harwich Harbour, and the mouth of the River Deben to the north. Prior to the growth of Felixstowe, the significant settlement was Walton, where the Romans built a Saxon Shore Fort called known as Walton Castle. This building was later used by the Saxons and the Normans. Coastal erosion eventually led to the demise of the castle, however the remaining sections can still be seen at very low tide.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF43ruEEQ-ZsMdHXRbiYN8E9iDzI5EKhCg3T8wyBFmYeKddPnaEfX-QOHTkZOI1bte98M4mnYaXvE6WFua4ZAQ85zge1thAvkMSFc9gQQ5us6d9w4N1xY0dRkYSikMYEnTls-TaUECCv-W0XIMQMPNKqJNPADOauZb7wGsDeXF6RvvXt58lfAAmcBwDUM/s3264/Felixstowe%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1532" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF43ruEEQ-ZsMdHXRbiYN8E9iDzI5EKhCg3T8wyBFmYeKddPnaEfX-QOHTkZOI1bte98M4mnYaXvE6WFua4ZAQ85zge1thAvkMSFc9gQQ5us6d9w4N1xY0dRkYSikMYEnTls-TaUECCv-W0XIMQMPNKqJNPADOauZb7wGsDeXF6RvvXt58lfAAmcBwDUM/w640-h300/Felixstowe%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Felixstowe was an important defensive location, and a fort, originally called Langer Fort, was established at the southern end of the town, in 1540, to protect the approach to Harwich Harbour. It later became <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/landguard-fort/" target="_blank">Landguard Fort</a>. The fort grew over time and in 1667 successfully defended against an attempted invasion by the Dutch. It also played a role in the Second World War where it was used in multiple capacities including as a launching site for Operation Outward. This was an operation where free-flying hydrogen balloons were released towards Nazi-occupied areas with the intent to damage power lines and generally cause disruption. The army left the fort in 1957 and it is now under the care of English Heritage. Continuing the defensive theme, seven Martello Towers were constructed along the seafront during 1810-11. Four of these remain. </div><div><br /></div><div>Probably the most famous feature of the town is <a href="https://www.portoffelixstowe.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Port of Felixstowe</a>. It was founded in 1875 and became a container port in 1967. Almost half of the country's container trade now passes through Felixstowe, making it the UK's largest container port. Around 2,000 ships visit the port every year including the largest container ships ever built. Members of the public cannot enter the port itself, but there is a viewpoint near the Landguard Fort. The Port of Felixstowe publishes their <a href="https://ocean.portoffelixstowe.co.uk/shipping" target="_blank">shipping schedule</a> on their webpage, so that is really useful if planning a visit. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkrpsz0hqTUacHQlxvCRgyEIoxR29uy23rqvP_SS_OcggwhUrzb4bptb39fNjikP8aWBq8X-llDRokYzE7KWC_lhyZHhCwrJgYBEN6HDyHlNQUbgRLxyvRsaI2Kvm4qp4DFphtMd5l0xdHsUNoyfTIRghVlIvf0zHT8tyIfLqyIUOUNOSwR7Ui4FDWeow/s3264/Felixstowe%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1532" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkrpsz0hqTUacHQlxvCRgyEIoxR29uy23rqvP_SS_OcggwhUrzb4bptb39fNjikP8aWBq8X-llDRokYzE7KWC_lhyZHhCwrJgYBEN6HDyHlNQUbgRLxyvRsaI2Kvm4qp4DFphtMd5l0xdHsUNoyfTIRghVlIvf0zHT8tyIfLqyIUOUNOSwR7Ui4FDWeow/w640-h300/Felixstowe%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>During Victoria times, the town's seafront area started to become a popular seaside resort and a pier was constructed in 1905. Originally 800m long, it was the 3rd longest pier in the country and had a T-shaped head where passengers on the Belle paddle steamers from London and Great Yarmouth disembarked. It once had an electric tramway which transferred the passengers and their luggage along the pier. Like many other piers it was sectioned during the Second World War due to the fear of it being used in a German invasion. The land side section was redeveloped in 2017 and this structure currently claims the crown as Britain's newest pier building. The pier decking, which is now only 140m long and was not part of the redevelopment, is no longer accessible due to safety concerns.</div><div><br /></div><div>The seafront has a promenade and several garden areas as well as numerous beach huts, amusement arcades, ice cream parlours and fish & chip shops. The town also now has its own free, weekly, timed 5km event called <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/felixstowe/" target="_blank">Felixstowe parkrun</a> which had its inaugural event on 7 April 2018. We visited on 23 September 2023 and took part in <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/felixstowe/results/213/" target="_blank">event number 213</a>. The event takes place along the promenade and the main meeting point is at the Felixstowe Leisure Centre which is right next to the pier. Our journey on the morning was super easy as we had stayed overnight in the local Premier Inn which is less than a five minute walk away.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6e6OQbJ4DwigwC5YaT-Ft4ozMe3YfM_PJKz-wLHYHEa23avfsGgBsv93tIe6YqQW7w3Frpqji40I1qB3Dd49i50p8vsRtaqQqajz1kNt2gUMgFzZfq3eZY7BRtMam2aM1NCTSrFn9D7T2Em4I503USNHbQIxMjiyleyvlzwys_HqLR3s4XUK6JYQ63fg/s3264/Felixstowe%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1532" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6e6OQbJ4DwigwC5YaT-Ft4ozMe3YfM_PJKz-wLHYHEa23avfsGgBsv93tIe6YqQW7w3Frpqji40I1qB3Dd49i50p8vsRtaqQqajz1kNt2gUMgFzZfq3eZY7BRtMam2aM1NCTSrFn9D7T2Em4I503USNHbQIxMjiyleyvlzwys_HqLR3s4XUK6JYQ63fg/w640-h300/Felixstowe%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>If arriving by car, the closest parking is in the leisure centre car park but you will have to pay. However, from what I could see, the streets to the south of the leisure centre seemed to be restriction-free, so it would make sense to just park on Sea Road. North of the leisure centre, the road changes to Undercliffe Road W, and this does have parking restrictions. There are some sections that allow visitor parking but a fee applies. For cyclists there are some racks outside the main entrance to the leisure centre. The town has a train station and this is just under 1 mile away from the meeting area. There is a bus stop right outside the leisure centre and this appears to be served by the number 77 bus. The parkrun <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/felixstowe/course/" target="_blank">course page</a> says the number 75 stops here, but this conflicts with the information I can find online, which says it stops a little further away, near the Premier Inn.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are public toilets dotted all along the promenade, but the closest ones to the parkrun are just a few minutes away, across the road within one of the tiered garden areas next to Felixstowe Town Hall. The first-timers briefing takes place on the grass outside the leisure centre, while the main briefing takes place at the start line which is on the promenade itself. The parkrun takes place on a 100% tarmac course along the promenade which is pancake flat. It is described as a single lap course on the event's <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/felixstowe/course/" target="_blank">course page</a>, and consists of two separate out-and-back sections. Road shoes are suitable for this course all year round. The course is also perfectly fine for buggy runners and for anyone using a wheelchair.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm5isf0IuF3L6rb6A7SUZM3qxLHfjR3eqbaZzUwNgYgI9nh3z5Pg3GgwnducMUj8ROEJE1DaO9TrJPk-rD18O76tWHGXNZrGbFv0P1aYWZlJhwIIs8gzKUQRmSUfjgU1M3M1YtR4cbZKdVHpuQFdiJ2i2veKS_cke3gB7oPn6tJgLR_SoiQZxkIOMhlLM/s3264/Felixstowe%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1532" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm5isf0IuF3L6rb6A7SUZM3qxLHfjR3eqbaZzUwNgYgI9nh3z5Pg3GgwnducMUj8ROEJE1DaO9TrJPk-rD18O76tWHGXNZrGbFv0P1aYWZlJhwIIs8gzKUQRmSUfjgU1M3M1YtR4cbZKdVHpuQFdiJ2i2veKS_cke3gB7oPn6tJgLR_SoiQZxkIOMhlLM/w640-h300/Felixstowe%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The start area is cordoned off and takes up about three quarters of the width of the promenade, to allow enough space for any other members of the public to continue to pass. After the main briefing, the parkrun gets underway. As a rule, those taking part in the event should generally try to keep to the right at all times. The first of the two out-and-backs sees the participants heading south-west along the promenade, passing some gardens, beach huts, and the 35-metre-tall 'The View' ferris wheel which was opened in August 2023. At the 1 kilometre mark, the course reaches Martello Park which is home to a playground and Martello Tower P. The tower has had many uses over the years, including as a signal interception post during World War I. It is currently used as a <a href="https://www.nci.org.uk/" target="_blank">National Coastwatch Institution</a> station.</div><div><br /></div><div>The first turnaround point is at the 1.2 kilometre point and is roughly in line with Martello Tower P. This point is marked by a cone and a marshal. This end of the course is likely to be sociable as the entire field will pass itself. Just remember to keep to the right. At 2.4 kilometres into the course, the participants reach the original start point, which they pass and now head over the small bump in the course which passes directly in front of the pier entrance. There was some scaffolding here when we visited which took up a bit of the path, but there were two wonderful marshals stationed here just to keep everything in order. Continuing to head northeast, this part of the course soon passes the Felixstowe War Memorial.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivN7UL3fLFi26pcpBDmVwyWoo7vzP5VTkH1W_aevjvbGTzAskRxENe464HRrX9ZM4DmURELU4Hnu4-F_32NP6Ss4wobN6C98VokUG0hh6F5cuCFCb5dTNDvGyX64PhYG8a2BkAHtPypY2Dg6YUIUGMsLedML4aWBSoWkvaz7FTHLdL3AF1uAIfNdOuJKQ/s3264/Felixstowe%205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1532" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivN7UL3fLFi26pcpBDmVwyWoo7vzP5VTkH1W_aevjvbGTzAskRxENe464HRrX9ZM4DmURELU4Hnu4-F_32NP6Ss4wobN6C98VokUG0hh6F5cuCFCb5dTNDvGyX64PhYG8a2BkAHtPypY2Dg6YUIUGMsLedML4aWBSoWkvaz7FTHLdL3AF1uAIfNdOuJKQ/w640-h300/Felixstowe%205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Felixstowe is believed to be the first seaside resort in the country to have had beach huts, and some of the ones here are still the original Victorian huts, dating back around 130 years. The northern end of the course is also home to the <a href="https://spapavilion.uk/" target="_blank">Spa Pavilion</a> building which was originally built in 1909. It has suffered wartime bomb damage and has sustained periods of closure over the years. Next to the pavillion are the Spa Gardens, another set of Felixstowe's very well kept garden areas. The parkrun course passes these before reaching the turnaround point in front of the shelter at the 3.7 kilometre point.</div><div><br /></div><div>The view on the return journey features the Port of Felixstowe cranes that dominate the skyline. You may also be lucky enough to see some of the huge container ships approaching the port, and on a really clear day you can just about see the Greater Gabbard Wind Farm, which is 23 kilometres off the coast. The final stretch of the course simply involves returning along the promenade to the original start point, which is now the finish.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1DFsHvU_sWMv0yLL5ofc1BqSWv-mQrcmWkQszBnKClhpI1sORycvYdofrIz9U3hiIp4N9zCURDAKjYMd1Not1iWk88TtFMZ5ZkqJ7yvooH8slO71qsR04aPuv9GtqfulVionuQre59jzD2hhPgMmJkmBDnjRRD21DyX7ZC2jYWR_8vaTdcHct7nxsmA/s3264/Felixstowe%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1532" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1DFsHvU_sWMv0yLL5ofc1BqSWv-mQrcmWkQszBnKClhpI1sORycvYdofrIz9U3hiIp4N9zCURDAKjYMd1Not1iWk88TtFMZ5ZkqJ7yvooH8slO71qsR04aPuv9GtqfulVionuQre59jzD2hhPgMmJkmBDnjRRD21DyX7ZC2jYWR_8vaTdcHct7nxsmA/w640-h300/Felixstowe%206.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Barcode scanning takes place within the grass area at the leisure centre, and once all of the participants and tail walkers have crossed the line, the official post-event refreshments are listed as being in The Boardwalk Cafe. This is within the pier building where there is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Being a seaside resort, there are plenty of other options dotted along the sea front.</div><div><br /></div><div>The results were processed and online a few hours later and 304 people had taken part in <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/felixstowe/results/213/" target="_blank">event number 213</a>. This number was a typical reflection of the current attendance figures, which tend to hover in the high 200's. I recorded the course with my Garmin and that <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/9902917126" target="_blank">data can be viewed</a> on Strava. The accompanying <a href="https://youtu.be/ybN_0Q-Aizc?si=9GTHIjhWoqD1CpjF" target="_blank">Relive course fly-by video</a> can be found on YouTube.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBPQ_VuM_0fyxsvZqyrqtpjn4KNZhMyNrKPhFxantY5GLRW3mUEtVayQP2zno4VG_XB4yGif7FOahnaPL1w8myq7geEcZwwQbUqtBb6iIr2pgYdQirsu7UDL7kNqHzAI0Fm0i7pd5nbY4pgee-WF7WPZMvHDRnnuZ343-OlKm__TTBfP4hFOnfkYBOm4/s3264/Felixstowe%207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1532" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBPQ_VuM_0fyxsvZqyrqtpjn4KNZhMyNrKPhFxantY5GLRW3mUEtVayQP2zno4VG_XB4yGif7FOahnaPL1w8myq7geEcZwwQbUqtBb6iIr2pgYdQirsu7UDL7kNqHzAI0Fm0i7pd5nbY4pgee-WF7WPZMvHDRnnuZ343-OlKm__TTBfP4hFOnfkYBOm4/w640-h300/Felixstowe%207.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>On this particular day, we didn't hang around for refreshments as we had other plans. I would note that if visiting and looking for more substantial vegan or vegetarian food options, the seafront has a <a href="https://www.beachstreetfelixstowe.co.uk/traders/hanks-dirty/" target="_blank">Hank's Dirty</a>, we ate in their Ipswich branch in 2022 and it was fantastic. Also, if you fancy something a bit more seaside-y, the fish & chip shop called Saltwater has a vegan menu. We had already <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/9899035396" target="_blank">visited Landguard Fort, Landguard Nature Reserve</a>, The Port of Felixstowe and <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/9900122647" target="_blank">wandered around the seafront</a> the day before, so after parkrun we headed a few miles north to visit Orford Castle. We had a brilliant trip to Felixstowe, and the parkrun was of course the headlining act. Many thanks to all the volunteers!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Related links:</b></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/9902917126" target="_blank">My GPS course data</a> (September 2023)</div><div><a href="https://youtu.be/ybN_0Q-Aizc?si=9GTHIjhWoqD1CpjF" target="_blank">The Relive course fly-by Video</a> (September 2023)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2017/10/the-suffolk-parkrun-venues.html" target="_blank">The Suffolk parkruns venues</a> (blog7t page)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>copy7thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07869260780729697873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8778671273358983652.post-88306247633974789192023-09-10T14:36:00.030+01:002023-09-16T14:30:12.561+01:00Wanstead Flats parkrunWanstead Flats is located in the far south-western corner of the <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-london-parkruns.html" target="_blank">London</a> Borough of Redbridge, adjacent to the London Borough of Newham, to the south, and the London Borough of Waltham Forest, to the west. It is bordered by the residential areas of Leytonstone, Forest Gate, Manor Park, and Wanstead. It is also part of a larger green space which includes the City of London Cemetery and Crematorium, Wanstead Park, and Wanstead Golf Club. The name Wanstead was first recorded in 1065 as Wenstede and may also have been known as Waynsted later on, during the 15th century.<div><br /></div><div>The area the flats occupies forms the southernmost section of Epping Forest, which stretches from Epping, in Essex all the way down to Forest Gate. At 5,900 acres, it is the largest forest within London. For much of its history it has been common land. However, it was also designated as a Royal Forest which meant only the monarch had the right to hunt deer. The commoners in the Wanstead Flats area continued to exercise their right to graze their animals, and it is thought this practice has helped to shape the landscape of the flats, which is largely open space.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6MaLLtSf6WWbHekSOE9z0L53yb4FpRZOIm4l9KVwy0FxT9FblZEerN8COb1rrp_sfJghArjAgMdS2IYM4ND4aQSEN4izRTEE5ScBBe2feavzKijTj0-l31Lka7_e3azU3hxuAJhB4cwLhaHB7lTQGRn2mtKzlI5zPhQFLbWMHaTDQdaj1YbCbtHR_Lhk/s3264/Wanstead%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="3264" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6MaLLtSf6WWbHekSOE9z0L53yb4FpRZOIm4l9KVwy0FxT9FblZEerN8COb1rrp_sfJghArjAgMdS2IYM4ND4aQSEN4izRTEE5ScBBe2feavzKijTj0-l31Lka7_e3azU3hxuAJhB4cwLhaHB7lTQGRn2mtKzlI5zPhQFLbWMHaTDQdaj1YbCbtHR_Lhk/w640-h284/Wanstead%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Eventually most of the forest lands were sold off to private individuals, and at the southern end, the new landowners made several attempts to enclose the flats. These actions were protested by the local people keen to protect their ancient grazing rights. The Corporation of London purchased land adjacent to the forest in order to create a cemetery, and in doing so they obtained certain rights over the use of the flats. The Corporation was now able to take the Lords of the Manor to court over the attempted enclosures. Happily the Corporation won the court case, and subsequently bought land from 19 separate land owners. This led to the Epping Forest Act 1878. This act removed its Royal Forest status and gave it protection from development and enclosure. It would now forever more be a public place of recreation and enjoyment.</div><div><br /></div><div>The First World War saw a searchlight and anti-aircraft guns installed on Wanstead Flats. It was also hit by a barrage of bombs, dropped from a German Zeppelin L10. During the Second World War, the space again became a site for anti-aircraft guns and searchlights, but these were now coupled with rocket launchers and barrage balloons. It also housed a camp for troops preparing for the Normandy Landings, and for a time it was home to a prisoner of war camp. There were also some prefabs installed. largely by the POWs, to house those that had been bombed out of their homes in the East End of London. Following the war, with new housing desperately needed, a proposal was put forward to develop part of the area into new housing and schools, however following a public enquiry, the plans were rejected.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIQRHtiTrhyLCqRcaPgx0EeTHaDn0Yf78luIlSNJOL6NjYBlU4Xd4D11KG_VscY0A6Kuom-IAl-F613d3QRzjr0Xrxmg8g52jo8FgWe51kT3TnlWJ2kOnaHPGIj4evbkMDwZw6GIkgTQ2qspSaVXcsjGRdtehqld8G71YaEZI_Nj5T1NtUE82Zj9SxYs/s3264/Wanstead%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="3264" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIQRHtiTrhyLCqRcaPgx0EeTHaDn0Yf78luIlSNJOL6NjYBlU4Xd4D11KG_VscY0A6Kuom-IAl-F613d3QRzjr0Xrxmg8g52jo8FgWe51kT3TnlWJ2kOnaHPGIj4evbkMDwZw6GIkgTQ2qspSaVXcsjGRdtehqld8G71YaEZI_Nj5T1NtUE82Zj9SxYs/w640-h284/Wanstead%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Along with the rest of Epping Forest, the modern-day Wanstead Flats is still managed by the Corporation of London, but since 2006 has been known as the City of London Corporation. It covers an area of around 334 acres and consists of a combination of grassland, woodland, copses and ponds. It contains an area where model aircraft can be flown, but the most popular activity is football. The City of London's website mentions there are up to 60 football pitches available for use, but other sources suggest it is 13. Either way the quality of the grass playing surface felt really good to me. Sadly there are no further amenities such as a playground. Since May 2011 it has also been home to a free, weekly, timed, 5km event called <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/wansteadflats/" target="_blank">Wanstead Flats parkrun</a>. It is of course open to all abilities including those who wish to walk. I first visited the event in August 2013 (<a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2013/08/wanstead-flats-parkrun.html" target="_blank">original blog</a>), but this write-up is from my visit in September 2023.</div><div><br /></div><div>The first thing to note about travelling to this venue is that Wanstead Flats covers quite a large area, and the natural areas are intersected by a number of roads, leaving the Flats divided into smaller islands (similar to Dartford Heath). The place you need to head for is right over on the west side of the area just off Harrow Road, Leytonstone. If using public transport, the closest station is Leytonstone High Road and this is served by the London Overground. Leytonstone is the nearest underground station, and is served by the Central Line. If you happened to be using National Rail or the Elizabeth Line then you could alight at Forest Gate, which is further away, but still within a reasonable walkable distance. As far as buses are concerned, there seems to be a nearby bus stop that is served by the 58 and 308.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3Tewx76MsBCsMRSkQK6nVxdIAD0DEow6GuiqCvKtufAJkEYV0tNrc-vuZk_kySCBSF_OGM77RMF8F0GQf3BSuwfPdQJGKyk-oC-2aqxqk6ofwFL2jeLj2ptGRA05rxy2SFUY4oEtIgMWziI5R_4L-h3AsdIM2AkK0mbLRjilwKmvBYyacvJ4xmdwtCo/s3264/Wanstead%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="3264" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3Tewx76MsBCsMRSkQK6nVxdIAD0DEow6GuiqCvKtufAJkEYV0tNrc-vuZk_kySCBSF_OGM77RMF8F0GQf3BSuwfPdQJGKyk-oC-2aqxqk6ofwFL2jeLj2ptGRA05rxy2SFUY4oEtIgMWziI5R_4L-h3AsdIM2AkK0mbLRjilwKmvBYyacvJ4xmdwtCo/w640-h284/Wanstead%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>If driving, there is a small onsite car park right next to the parkrun meeting area called Harrow Road Car Park. As of September 2023 the car parking fees are £1.50 for up to an hour, and £2.50 for up to two hours, up to four hours is £4, and up to six is £6. Payment must be made via the RingGo app or by phoning the number listed on the board - There are no payment machines. There is a second car park, a short walk away called Jubilee Pond Car Park - the same charges apply. When I first visited, in 2013, I was able to park on Harrow Road itself, but the road is now covered by a Controlled Parking Zone which only allows residential parking and is active Monday to Saturday, the same applies to most of the adjacent side roads. If you were looking for free on-street parking, there are some options towards Leytonstone High Road with no weekend restrictions. For the record, we parked on Acacia Road.</div><div><br /></div><div>For cyclists, there are some racks outside the Harrow Road Changing Pavilion, which is right next to the car park and the parkrun meeting point. If they fill up, there is a metal fence around the pavilion that will do the job. It's not written in the facilities section on the <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/wansteadflats/course/" target="_blank">Wanstead Flats parkrun course page</a>, but the pavilion does have toilets, and they become accessible once the parkrun event team has arrived and opened the building (likely to be no later than 8.30am). The parkrun meeting point, start, and finish are all adjacent to the pavilion. The first-timers' and the main briefings are both held here, after which everyone simply turns around and forms a start line. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9VAn5y76CZcCHww4AgDZx05bL0CjNlsfqY6UUOHjWmtZLN005K6YDxTOmu6isRWbmb1EF5XuA-_C657Y9lER3dAJMtxmY5cuZjoWxhPgEXLydBv24fUToMV_0fYdqfmV_lgTLL9Xlst1Sf5PqdfLIizerWO7vdBD8txFM7dM2Kca0qD2Cz7ATZ2la2U/s3264/Wanstead%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1034" data-original-width="3264" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9VAn5y76CZcCHww4AgDZx05bL0CjNlsfqY6UUOHjWmtZLN005K6YDxTOmu6isRWbmb1EF5XuA-_C657Y9lER3dAJMtxmY5cuZjoWxhPgEXLydBv24fUToMV_0fYdqfmV_lgTLL9Xlst1Sf5PqdfLIizerWO7vdBD8txFM7dM2Kca0qD2Cz7ATZ2la2U/w640-h202/Wanstead%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The venue has a two lap clockwise course which follows the same route as the <a href="https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/assets/Green-Spaces/lime-trail.pdf" target="_blank">Lime Trail</a>. It is way-marked with permanent signage, but additional arrows are put out to ensure nobody gets lost. There are no marshals out on the course. Underfoot is grass and dirt paths, with tree roots in places, so while road shoes are fine during the summer, it would be sensible to wear trail shoes in the winter as it can get very muddy (the word quagmire was used in a post-run conversation I had). It's basically flat but there's a very gentle incline to negotiate at the northern end of the course. As for buggy running, it is possible but I would note a few narrow and cambered paths, again at the northern end of the course. A local I spoke to said she found it impossible to buggy run here during the muddy season. I would say this venue is not naturally suited to wheelchair athletes. </div><div><br /></div><div>From the start, the participants head away from the pavilion and bear to the left, heading towards the two blocks of flats which dominate the immediate skyline. These are identical buildings, built in the 1960's, called the John Walsh and Fred Wigg towers. During the 2012 London Olympics, the roof of Fred Wigg was one of six London sites where troops and missiles, including Rapier surface-to-air missiles, and High Velocity Missiles (HVM), were deployed. They may look a bit unsightly to some people, I think they create quite a unique backdrop. The parkrunners continue past the buildings and along the western edge of the open grass playing fields until reaching some trees where the course leaves the playing fields.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHqLngdiGGPX64rwKTuUhCPhn4tkEGxBtfdhig92RMs9kIX36BrA37houmEpe-9ptJiHrcK_4ceKbCWQK3nvrbiqiV3hFqv84BJDc6RyqHNjJwH8LunHf0zrP8b_n5irEqSRa2TwNacCPviDQISyRQA6Tg-3hDn99JfnL1YHFpg87dLI1b4JB926PTLY0/s3264/Wanstead%205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1621" data-original-width="3264" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHqLngdiGGPX64rwKTuUhCPhn4tkEGxBtfdhig92RMs9kIX36BrA37houmEpe-9ptJiHrcK_4ceKbCWQK3nvrbiqiV3hFqv84BJDc6RyqHNjJwH8LunHf0zrP8b_n5irEqSRa2TwNacCPviDQISyRQA6Tg-3hDn99JfnL1YHFpg87dLI1b4JB926PTLY0/w640-h318/Wanstead%205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The next section takes place within a long straight tree-lined stretch called The Avenues, which would have originally led towards Wanstead Hall / Wanstead House. This was a stunning mansion situated in, what is now, Wanstead Golf Club and Wanstead Park. This stretch heads in a north-east direction and into the ancient woodland of Bush Wood. The course features a relatively short loop within the woods, and this is where most of the more-challenging underfoot sections and the very gentle incline are found. Notably there are some tree roots, some uneven paths, and a bit of a cambered section as the course loops around the perimeter of a dried-up pond. I'd also note that the path through the woods has a few sections where holly grows, so watch out for the sharp leaves.</div><div><br /></div><div>Upon exiting the woods, the course heads back along the very end of the avenue, so there is a short, sociable stretch of two-way parkrunners. The paths used are separated by a strip of grass with each stream of people using their own dirt path. The course then bears to the left and follows the dirt path along the eastern edge of the football fields. This section is slightly different to the course used during my first visit, in 2013. Glancing across the open grass, the two towers can be seen, and Canary Wharf's 'One Canada Square', can be seen in the far distance. Once at the end of this path, the course returns to the grass where the perimeter is followed back around towards the pavilion. At the end of the first lap, it's a case of continuing onwards onto lap 2.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxiHDQMd2Bm43NubT89SE-bSKSoMVvyFxce1yjhbhYvgP_cSvr37oEyg425HDBSOqrCdOi3c5cGdZAA65qBONF0NgIU_6pGUSxmhMGHtRsv1GZpkkcC_mPJSh0S1BXddT4KMalCo-dZprkj_mD8v5jSgH1Q-NxVHXBUcGp9yZUUEyfQ_SFR2eqZI0yak8/s3264/Wanstead%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1573" data-original-width="3264" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxiHDQMd2Bm43NubT89SE-bSKSoMVvyFxce1yjhbhYvgP_cSvr37oEyg425HDBSOqrCdOi3c5cGdZAA65qBONF0NgIU_6pGUSxmhMGHtRsv1GZpkkcC_mPJSh0S1BXddT4KMalCo-dZprkj_mD8v5jSgH1Q-NxVHXBUcGp9yZUUEyfQ_SFR2eqZI0yak8/w640-h308/Wanstead%206.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Once both laps are complete, the participants simply turn left off of the main football field area and head into the finish funnel, which is right in front of the pavilion. Barcode scanning takes place in this area, and once that is done, it may be possible to grab a quick drink from the pavilion. Plus, if you think you've got yourself a new personal best, you can give the PB Bell a ring! There is no on-site cafe, so the parkrun team have facilities to make their own teas and coffees. If visiting and looking for some breakfast, I'd imagine the closest place with a reasonable number of options would be on the High Road in Leytonstone.</div><div><br /></div><div>Should you fancy a bit of exploring afterwards, the adjacent City of London Cemetery has some notable burials, including Mary Ann Nichols (one of Jack the Ripper's victims), Joseph Merrick (The Elephant Man - apparently soft tissue only) and the ashes of footballing legend and 1966 world cup winner, Bobby Moore. Also, on the border of Bush Wood is a Quaker House with its own cemetery. Buried there is Elizabeth Fry, social reformer. She was notably the first non-royal woman to appear on a British banknote (the £5 note issued between 2001-2016). Wanstead is also not too far from the Olympic Park, which is pretty cool to visit. Also if you have kids with you that would like to visit a playground, there is one just outside the Flats, on Acacia Road.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEoqjKJ8VRvtxOs5Oggmi7o3wJBmoPJHRBK8DFMz8Qpj9CwWJIJAOOX-OopNNGqy5OLG82eWq2NV9zJKc0dAIy0vbbnotSbRJRSyzfPX2HPS23NLDFUvvRtsCDUQZpVgtogtrnPJZjWjGuA87M4957H3xQxXW2_RtUqsPfqIbhCwF_IisV-OEc8toPcuc/s3264/Wanstead%207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1573" data-original-width="3264" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEoqjKJ8VRvtxOs5Oggmi7o3wJBmoPJHRBK8DFMz8Qpj9CwWJIJAOOX-OopNNGqy5OLG82eWq2NV9zJKc0dAIy0vbbnotSbRJRSyzfPX2HPS23NLDFUvvRtsCDUQZpVgtogtrnPJZjWjGuA87M4957H3xQxXW2_RtUqsPfqIbhCwF_IisV-OEc8toPcuc/w640-h308/Wanstead%207.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The results were processed and published shortly after, and there were 266 finishers at <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/wansteadflats/results/584/" target="_blank">event number 584</a>. Generally on a day with good conditions, attendees will be in the mid-200's. The attendance figures seem to drop down into the 100's in the winter, probably due to the unfavourable course conditions. However, owing to the off-road nature of the course, it is very unlikely to be cancelled during periods of snow or ice, so on those days attendance figures can shoot up if nearby events have to cancel.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANbUqAUzpktDc-Ei6e1hXj45rDMkQe-FVYPuMfggsXueyfRRV8doIVJqkox6Rj0LA0gqcFoSBX-DDBdSgd4IILbRdzFZlUMGxH3iA39w4ksLZBA-yjAMlWL3iSvtY2IJmnXsKDkVlm7iowiDgD8DzLMWJ7omY7QMEOxEFrYtbBPU-pqx_OZFq_PqSjNo/s3264/Wanstead%208.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1573" data-original-width="3264" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANbUqAUzpktDc-Ei6e1hXj45rDMkQe-FVYPuMfggsXueyfRRV8doIVJqkox6Rj0LA0gqcFoSBX-DDBdSgd4IILbRdzFZlUMGxH3iA39w4ksLZBA-yjAMlWL3iSvtY2IJmnXsKDkVlm7iowiDgD8DzLMWJ7omY7QMEOxEFrYtbBPU-pqx_OZFq_PqSjNo/w640-h308/Wanstead%208.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I recorded the course with my Garmin and you can see the <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/9812784517" target="_blank">GPS data</a> on Strava. I also uploaded that data into the Relive app and created a <a href="https://youtu.be/0aJ-LIIZzG0?si=kMP7Z7Gw2x9CFOXZ" target="_blank">course fly-by video</a> which can be viewed on YouTube. A final thanks must go to the day's Run Director Mike Bristow and his fantastic team of volunteers who looked after us and made us feel very much at home.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Related Links:</b></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/9812784517" target="_blank">My GPS data</a> (9 September 2023)</div><div><a href="https://youtu.be/0aJ-LIIZzG0?si=kMP7Z7Gw2x9CFOXZ" target="_blank">Relive Course Fly-by Video</a> (9 September 2023)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-london-parkruns.html" target="_blank">The London parkrun Venues</a> (blog7t page)</div><div><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2013/08/wanstead-flats-parkrun.html" target="_blank">The blog7t write-up from my first visit</a> (August 2013)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /><br /></div></div>copy7thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07869260780729697873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8778671273358983652.post-67691903031927082142023-09-03T17:40:00.003+01:002024-01-24T21:02:13.601+00:00Southwark parkrun<div>Southwark [suh-thuhk or suh-vuhk] is a district in <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-london-parkruns.html" target="_blank">London</a> which sits within the larger London Borough of Southwark. The historic centre of Southwark is just to the south of London Bridge where it grew thanks to the positioning of the bridge linking the south side of the Thames to the Roman settlement of Londinium on the northern bank. The settlement was almost entirely abandoned in the years after the Roman's left. It wasn't until the 9th century, when King Alfred the Great established it as a defensive position, that the area began to grow again. Southwark is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Sudweca, which means, something along the lines of, 'southern defensive work' or 'fort of the men of Surrey'. It is the oldest part of South London.</div><div><br /></div><div>The modern day London Borough of Southwark is split into eight main districts. This includes Bermondsey, where you will find the former slum of Jacob's Island, made famous in Charles Dickens' novel, Oliver Twist. It has a long history in manufacturing, with the world's first ever food canning business based here and the famous Peek Freans biscuit factory just around the corner (my mum worked there briefly when I was very young, but it is now closed). To the immediate east of Bermondsey is Rotherhithe, which historically contained many shipyards and The Surrey Commercial Docks. Rotherhithe's St Olaves Hospital was the birth place of Maurice Micklewhite (better known as Michael Caine) in 1933 (my grandmother worked there before it closed down in the 1980s).</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOyaaDb61rOnXM37kc_PAMFn1Xwa96bvI7pJ7IwMd1yIKgZ8G_Tlof__5eEjXkU4eda3tBK88ljBpEV6lnxa9vyeVSqdf-X974Q2OqstmriImrzl2zGHTnxY2AIrmVuXxlrge2nStYQ-a9qOI0ab3rLYmkos-ssi8rOhKz_O-KMMZQ-g5DFB1FTdQbcEk/s3264/Southwark%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1618" data-original-width="3264" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOyaaDb61rOnXM37kc_PAMFn1Xwa96bvI7pJ7IwMd1yIKgZ8G_Tlof__5eEjXkU4eda3tBK88ljBpEV6lnxa9vyeVSqdf-X974Q2OqstmriImrzl2zGHTnxY2AIrmVuXxlrge2nStYQ-a9qOI0ab3rLYmkos-ssi8rOhKz_O-KMMZQ-g5DFB1FTdQbcEk/w640-h318/Southwark%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>In the late 1850's, plans were drawn up to create a park in the area. Several locations were put forward as options, but the chosen location used land which was owned by Sir William Gomm, a British Army officer who served in the Napoleonic Wars and also took part in the Battle of Waterloo. At the time, the land included parts of Bermondsey and Rotherhithe, and it was purchased from him for around £57,000 (well over £3 million today). In 1864, Southwark Park was opened, named after the parliamentary constituency in which it sat at the time.</div><div><br /></div><div>The park covers an area of 63 acres and although the shape and border have remained identical, the interior has gone through a few changes. There is an access road which runs through the centre of the park effectively creating north and south sections. In 1908 a lake was added to the park. This was followed by the addition of a paddling pool and a lido in the 1920's. The park's location meant that it suffered some damage during the Second World War. The paddling pool was filled in following bomb damage. The lido, which I remember visiting as a child in the 1980's, was permanently closed in 1992 and demolished about 10 years later.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDXKEp6vuTw3XRkjmbH97YOAMWfpaxwW9FVl3CdDEJdmY3ym5yedPbUfUT_K_hCkpQhpjG_LcBt2TCs6zuTVDzW2D2YHcDiOwlBKhiPE4PL-fv7gCZSsF6PATmznHqC_Ybf_BjhGHf_rvR_DxJKLMVo4syPx_OGN45WDE-IV85pHIauymg8h5AgTkYGw/s3264/Southwark%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1189" data-original-width="3264" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDXKEp6vuTw3XRkjmbH97YOAMWfpaxwW9FVl3CdDEJdmY3ym5yedPbUfUT_K_hCkpQhpjG_LcBt2TCs6zuTVDzW2D2YHcDiOwlBKhiPE4PL-fv7gCZSsF6PATmznHqC_Ybf_BjhGHf_rvR_DxJKLMVo4syPx_OGN45WDE-IV85pHIauymg8h5AgTkYGw/w640-h234/Southwark%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>In 1936 a formal garden was opened adjacent to the lake. It was designed by Ada Salter, the first woman mayor in London. who along with her husband, the MP for West Bermondsey, Alfred Salter, worked tirelessly to improve the lives and health of the lower class residents who lived in appalling conditions in Bermondsey's slums. The garden was informally called the Ada Salter Garden by local residents and this was formally adopted a few years later. The park also has a bandstand. Numerous versions seem to have existed over the years, but the current structure was erected in 1999. The bandstand area was definitely an open space during the 1980's and I remember being present here at a banger racing event in the early 1980's.</div><div><br /></div><div>The modern-day park, which now sits wholly within Rotherhithe, features a children's playground on the site of the former lido, an athletics track, bowling green, tennis courts, the Jabez West memorial fountain (notable as it is a memorial to a working-class person), and the Caryatides of Rotherhithe Town Hall (moved to the park in 2011). The large playground on the north side of the park, that I remember playing in as a child, is now a nature area. The park features a large number of mature trees in the central and northern sections, but is more open towards the south. In September 2013 the park became home to its very own free, weekly, timed, 5k event called <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/southwark/" target="_blank">Southwark parkrun</a>. It is open to all abilities including those who wish to walk and wheelchair users. I attended the <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2013/09/southwark-parkrun-trial-run.html" target="_blank">test event</a> and <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2013/09/southwark-parkrun-inaugural-event.html" target="_blank">event number 1</a> back in 2013, this updated write-up is from my 5th visit (4th visit if you don't include the test event), which was at the 10 year anniversary event, held on 2 September 2023.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjN5HKahk_yuIqq59wzbzRsNLCx5JsIsUhmFu95qHa-G7sFXhpRvWRfxRE8VlfdefDhKZ4CY7N-NyiyU75XzEBwWue21vCB68NvY93aira_0Im_LN4qpnkl2h7XigZ72YzsxDfTBIMQ3hzZMlFmjOKMIR5O5P_Tqekm2CLUB1djAqfYA7bXX7zanXiOcA/s3264/Southwark%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1463" data-original-width="3264" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjN5HKahk_yuIqq59wzbzRsNLCx5JsIsUhmFu95qHa-G7sFXhpRvWRfxRE8VlfdefDhKZ4CY7N-NyiyU75XzEBwWue21vCB68NvY93aira_0Im_LN4qpnkl2h7XigZ72YzsxDfTBIMQ3hzZMlFmjOKMIR5O5P_Tqekm2CLUB1djAqfYA7bXX7zanXiOcA/w640-h286/Southwark%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The parkrun meeting point is in the south side of the park on the edge of the large open grass area, not far from the cafe and the gallery. Being in London, this event is very well connected from a travel point of view. Firstly there are plenty of bus services that stop nearby including the 1, 199, 381, 47, 188 and a few more. The closest station to the meeting point is Surrey Quays Overground, but Canada Water (Overground and Jubilee line) and Bermondsey (Jubilee line only) stations are also nearby. For mainline train services, South Bermondsey is technically the closest station. However, if your journey passes through London Bridge it would make sense to alight there and transfer to the Jubilee line.</div><div><br /></div><div>For anyone driving to the event, there are two parking options within the park. The first is to use the road which separates the two halves of the park, called Carriage Drive. Vehicles can only access this road via Southwark Park Road, using Jamaica Gate, where free parking is available for up to four hours. The other option would be to use the Hawkstone Gate car park, which can be accessed from Hawkstone Road. There is a charge to use this car park. An additional parking option would be to use Surrey Quays shopping centre's car park which has free parking for up-to three hours, and is just across the road. For the record, most of the side streets in the local area have parking restrictions in place which operate 7 days per week, so are not an option.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4h20UxBo3S--XcVVrXKgkYN82qsp0uOxAQJdevfdhgRrt3iysQiHlBtK6YIY4cLGygsVEcpZ8lumgqOAd9SSkg4QEff19JWs4RBhrw92HTzQZUWsEekdbGCDNeCTKixppbijV8xmFVkYj4w7CuWY44ACViCsTcv-7zObMjHh2lj1pCVOxH827U9IffA/s3264/Southwark%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1463" data-original-width="3264" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4h20UxBo3S--XcVVrXKgkYN82qsp0uOxAQJdevfdhgRrt3iysQiHlBtK6YIY4cLGygsVEcpZ8lumgqOAd9SSkg4QEff19JWs4RBhrw92HTzQZUWsEekdbGCDNeCTKixppbijV8xmFVkYj4w7CuWY44ACViCsTcv-7zObMjHh2lj1pCVOxH827U9IffA/w640-h286/Southwark%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>If arriving by pedal-power there are some bicycle racks near the meeting point, just next to the children's play area and the cafe building. However, a lot of people use the fence which protects a Chestnut Tree which was planted to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. The park's toilets can be found in the same building as the cafe and they should be open well before the parkrun starts. There are additional toilet facilities located within the Seven Islands Leisure Centre (they don't mind parkrunners popping in), which is just outside the park. Further toilets can be found in Surrey Quays shopping centre.</div><div><br /></div><div>The first-timers' briefing takes place at the meeting point and the main briefing takes place once everyone has lined up at the start line, on the grass near the cricket nets. The route is made up of three anti-clockwise laps of the southern half of the park (the first is ever-so-slightly different to the second and third). The course is flat and the surface underfoot is tarmac with the exception of the start and the finish which are both on the central grass area. With that in mind, this is definitely a course for regular road shoes. All of this combines to make a fast course which is suitable for everyone including those participating with buggies and for wheelchair users.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxEZbyP3zB_XHEFNycq0LHig-YwONwibfbcF-m5EXF8hdSyyeVgSROdxbw88zyoOoPkE0VPFZy4v-BnN1OB8QGH7CHqAPlALrqG02rHmNHL2QtClbldlYeIFq6vNm_OFG-cZyQbQhBRh4RbD0sxfhv_Ona6H-s5K8LoJazvJ6rfpKd6G-xJAdD9PyRoc/s3264/Southwark%205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1463" data-original-width="3264" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxEZbyP3zB_XHEFNycq0LHig-YwONwibfbcF-m5EXF8hdSyyeVgSROdxbw88zyoOoPkE0VPFZy4v-BnN1OB8QGH7CHqAPlALrqG02rHmNHL2QtClbldlYeIFq6vNm_OFG-cZyQbQhBRh4RbD0sxfhv_Ona6H-s5K8LoJazvJ6rfpKd6G-xJAdD9PyRoc/w640-h286/Southwark%205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>From the start on the grass, the parkrunners head away from the cricket nets in a north-westerly direction until joining the main path. It then heads past the park's Lake Gallery where it loops around the outer edge of the playground before reaching the lake. Glancing over into the lake, it is just possible to see the 'Family of Dolphins' sculpture which used to be on display inside Surrey Quays shopping centre. It was relocated to the park's lake during its restoration in 2001. The route continues with the lake to the participant's right, heading 'onwards' and passing the cafe in the process.</div><div><br /></div><div>It is worth noting that this is a very well attended event whose growth still seems to be on an upward trend, even 10 years after its first event. As a result, the first lap in particular is likely to be extremely congested. Continuing around the lake there is a very brief moment where the course becomes two-way for about 40-50 metres. There are a lot of people to accommodate so it's important to be aware at this point, and keep to the right. The course passes one of the entrances to the Ada Salter Garden, you can't see much during the parkrun, but it is definitely worth taking a quick peek afterwards.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKJNlNhKPaUVDVDCiwetePOaeuU1wxa85wgMLMVVEGgjwXHw6nb6pEeio9TM4P7_nEIVUqdcTH-ukhwd8lB0os1XE4yei6smNb8fbwl8lid2x-ukUPsoOCiEi0yipHdYljODT92QkpRboh8i327ga2H0Xkkn60GJ10duBOluChgMac6zF4hIk7H2r_9c/s3264/Southwark%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1463" data-original-width="3264" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKJNlNhKPaUVDVDCiwetePOaeuU1wxa85wgMLMVVEGgjwXHw6nb6pEeio9TM4P7_nEIVUqdcTH-ukhwd8lB0os1XE4yei6smNb8fbwl8lid2x-ukUPsoOCiEi0yipHdYljODT92QkpRboh8i327ga2H0Xkkn60GJ10duBOluChgMac6zF4hIk7H2r_9c/w640-h286/Southwark%206.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The next section of the lap is the long, straight section that makes up the south-west path. It passes the park's other art gallery, called the Dilston Gallery, before gently curving around and past a nursery school building (it was known as the One O'Clock Club when I was a child) and then past the Hawkstone Road car park. On the approach to the athletics track, the course has a fun dip to negotiate. It is just a very quick down-then-up section. Once through that the course runs parallel to the athletics track.</div><div><br /></div><div>On the first lap only, at the end of the athletics track, the course takes the long route around the corner. On laps two and three, the course uses the shorter, more direct, route. The path is then simply followed until reaching the end of the lap. It's safe to say to almost everyone that takes part will either lap people or be lapped themselves, so it is important to keep an eye out at all times. Given that it is a very popular event, it is even more important to look out for other park users and to make space or give way where appropriate. There are usually a fair number of cyclists passing through.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR8OQQibfVH-UFwAZFuul028rM6gz8UgB0qAhO4fjdtPIqKnPGJJw9GqMMZ8yKpMl6gNkBs8m_qf3FdiCKfFlFj-HWGl9EN__YIlJBd842u4V6yea5x7L13JveSsT6QPKVpdBXp9sZvCFjNYErV7W5iN7p-cG_mCvl55pDsksNbs7zoX2SB4Aa-erB2HE/s3264/Southwark%207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1463" data-original-width="3264" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR8OQQibfVH-UFwAZFuul028rM6gz8UgB0qAhO4fjdtPIqKnPGJJw9GqMMZ8yKpMl6gNkBs8m_qf3FdiCKfFlFj-HWGl9EN__YIlJBd842u4V6yea5x7L13JveSsT6QPKVpdBXp9sZvCFjNYErV7W5iN7p-cG_mCvl55pDsksNbs7zoX2SB4Aa-erB2HE/w640-h286/Southwark%207.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>At the end of lap 3, the finish funnel can be found just off of the path on the grass. Barcode scanning takes place on the grass at the end of the finish funnel. Once all the participants have finished and the course signage is packed away, the official post-event refreshments are held in the Southwark Park Pavillion Cafe. The cafe serves the usual selection of drinks plus cakes, pastries and also cooked breakfasts. They also have vegetarian and vegan options. There is also The Surrey Docks Wetherspoons pub just across the road, plus further options within Surrey Quays shopping centre.</div><div><br /></div><div>As always I recorded the <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/9766537568" target="_blank">GPS data</a> of the course and that can be found on Strava. I also created a <a href="https://youtu.be/onGDQYZarGs?si=smkqPErUgVTIPTIU" target="_blank">Relive fly-by video</a> of the course using the data. Anyone that visited the event in its early days will notice that the start and finish areas have been moved. However, the rest of the course is still exactly the same as the original version. The results were processed a short while later and there were 579 participants at <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/southwark/results/436/" target="_blank">event 436</a>. This was a bit higher than usual, probably as a result of the birthday celebrations and The Big Half race which was taking place the following day. Attendance figures can also be a bit higher on the weekend of the London Marathon. A normal week would tend to attract above 400 participants.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVAGtwDHeS3kKtpIZF2kBRZH0G5ZlimFkO165XSGqjhStRmL578Ax5jEYRBaOAzzMSfQ3vGudkrQ9iY0s3LoxmLTeLh8xY8g0p0Ss8b9NON3xX1BaNHTq9baobxZo5RdVq0MbyiTK6dQ5Fsz0HPiD6SwwxKUg3OvRH82KolC3uYgCFO37_nmt_0rFr8k/s3264/Southwark%208.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1431" data-original-width="3264" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVAGtwDHeS3kKtpIZF2kBRZH0G5ZlimFkO165XSGqjhStRmL578Ax5jEYRBaOAzzMSfQ3vGudkrQ9iY0s3LoxmLTeLh8xY8g0p0Ss8b9NON3xX1BaNHTq9baobxZo5RdVq0MbyiTK6dQ5Fsz0HPiD6SwwxKUg3OvRH82KolC3uYgCFO37_nmt_0rFr8k/w640-h280/Southwark%208.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>With the parkrun finished, I can definitely recommend heading across to the northern side of the park to have a wander around. Also there is a <a href="https://www.southwarkboats.co.uk/" target="_blank">boat hire</a> hut next to the lake. It is open every weekend from 11am - 6pm (although it might be worth double checking that in the winter). You could of course visit the <a href="https://southwarkparkgalleries.org/" target="_blank">art galleries</a>. I'd also note that if you head out of the northern side of the park and cross Jamaica Road, there is another, smaller, park called King's Stairs Gardens where you may be able to find the statues of Ada and Alfred Salter, their daughter and their cat, next to the Thames. Next to this is the remains of King Edward III's moated Manor House. If you head a bit further to the west, the 'Fishing Child' Banksy artwork can be found.</div><div><br /></div><div>Heading to the east, is <a href="https://www.mayflowerpub.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Mayflower Pub</a>, which is one of the oldest pubs on the River Thames. Definitely worth checking out. It used to be called the Spread Eagle but was renamed to reflect the Rotherhite's link to the Mayflower, which sailed from the area on the first stage of its voyage to America in 1620. The ship's captain, Christopher Jones, was from Rotherhithe. It is almost directly opposite the Brunel Museum, which of course links in with the Thames Tunnel (not to be confused with Rotherhithe Tunnel), built by Marc and Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The tunnel was the first to be constructed underneath a navigable river and was mainly used as a pedestrian crossing. It was purchased by the East London Rail Company in 1865 and now forms part of the London Overground line. On this occasion we headed around to Surrey Docks Farm, which is one of London's 12 city farms.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmyJo9aK1FD6mHuBfz0fRpKZgCoJhJhN7PHWKx9VCsNtY8odN3oBHwCOd9CbhIbtFQbDCfLRP5ttm3zqkJhcc0vG3M7Qkv7m5ocRv2RysIkPuKuyQSBd1PxkbBgCaSBwcjK-aXz9IbqPIM8HZZdEusu8dNeipnEC8whMIzMJi-A3Vosp0JGUdHSE8Jyw/s3264/Southwark%209.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1970" data-original-width="3264" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmyJo9aK1FD6mHuBfz0fRpKZgCoJhJhN7PHWKx9VCsNtY8odN3oBHwCOd9CbhIbtFQbDCfLRP5ttm3zqkJhcc0vG3M7Qkv7m5ocRv2RysIkPuKuyQSBd1PxkbBgCaSBwcjK-aXz9IbqPIM8HZZdEusu8dNeipnEC8whMIzMJi-A3Vosp0JGUdHSE8Jyw/w640-h386/Southwark%209.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>An interesting event takes place each year, usually in September - The four parkruns in the London Borough of Southwark have an event called the 'Southwark Slam'. This is where people are invited to visit all four of Southwark's parkruns (<a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/burgess/" target="_blank">Burgess</a>, <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/southwark/" target="_blank">Southwark</a>, <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/peckhamrye/" target="_blank">Peckham Rye</a>, and <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/dulwich/" target="_blank">Dulwich</a>) during the month. A brilliant idea which I'd imagine really helps to maintain a great community between the four venues. A huge thank you goes to the volunteers who enabled the event to go ahead, and for making us feel very welcome. Finally, a huge congratulations to Southwark parkrun on reaching this significant milestone. It is so wonderful to see the event thriving.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Related Links:</b></div><div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/9766537568" target="_blank">My GPS data on Strava</a> (2023)</div><div><a href="https://youtu.be/onGDQYZarGs" target="_blank">The Relive course fly-by video</a> (from my 2022 visit)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2013/09/southwark-parkrun-trial-run.html" target="_blank">Test event</a> (blog7t 2013)</div><div><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2013/09/southwark-parkrun-inaugural-event.html" target="_blank">Original 2013 write-up</a> (blog7t event 1)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-london-parkruns.html" target="_blank">The London parkrun venues</a> (blog7t page)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Other Southwark Slam venue write-ups:</div><div><div><ul><li><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2021/09/burgess-parkrun.html" target="_blank">Burgess parkrun</a> (2021)</li><li><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2017/01/dulwich-parkrun.html" target="_blank">Dulwich parkrun</a> (2017)</li><li><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2023/09/southwark-parkrun.html" target="_blank">Southwark parkrun</a> (2023)</li><li><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2024/01/peckham-rye-parkrun.html" target="_blank">Peckham Rye parkrun</a> (2024)</li></ul></div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><b>Other Related links from 2013:</b><br /><br />The parkrun show - <a href="http://www.marathontalk.com/parkrun_podcast/episode_105_rasser_frassin.php">Episode 105</a> (2013)<br />Abradypus - <a href="http://abradypus.wordpress.com/2013/09/09/southwark-parkrun/">Southwark parkrun</a> (2013)<br />Go Feet - <a href="http://go-feet.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/running-london-3-southwark-park.html">Running London (3): Southwark Park</a> (2013)<br />Zoecakes - <a href="http://afterthomas.wordpress.com/2013/09/08/my-50th-parkrun-aka-the-inaugural-southwark-parkrun/">My 50th parkrun (aka the inaugural Southwark parkrun)</a> (2013)</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>copy7thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07869260780729697873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8778671273358983652.post-83559690676826861252023-08-22T10:06:00.008+01:002023-08-22T12:52:51.518+01:00Lyme Park parkrunThe Unitary Authority of Cheshire East has a population of around 400,000 people and sits within the ceremonial county of Cheshire, in the North West Region of England. Historically the area has strong links with the textile industry, with notable towns being Wilmslow, well known for cotton, and Macclesfield which was once the world's biggest producer of finished silk. The far north-east of the area is home to the village of Disley, which sits just a stone's throw away from the large, historic country estate of <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cheshire-greater-manchester/lyme" target="_blank">Lyme Park</a>.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvbOrD4E-4AgYdnsyeEhQCu4xfSaS8-xhIdAxHAje4_-0oog-mbdIAqDmEvgMsVpuxtqD8wkqSoJCcOOi1B9dx6Em7e-FdHP1S3cuI1KhLDF2A0QraHUrM0cfzGQFMyerY2acQ7y8KoNs9htkrWgE8MsRUY3ACLLDmtUU8OPFeZnRBWpoW2p4JUp_jDU/s3264/Lyme%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1412" data-original-width="3264" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvbOrD4E-4AgYdnsyeEhQCu4xfSaS8-xhIdAxHAje4_-0oog-mbdIAqDmEvgMsVpuxtqD8wkqSoJCcOOi1B9dx6Em7e-FdHP1S3cuI1KhLDF2A0QraHUrM0cfzGQFMyerY2acQ7y8KoNs9htkrWgE8MsRUY3ACLLDmtUU8OPFeZnRBWpoW2p4JUp_jDU/w640-h276/Lyme%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Lyme Park covers an area of around 1,400 acres and sits in the parish of Lyme Handley within the Peak District National Park. The majority of the grounds are made up of a vast deer park which is home to a herd of Red Deer. These are thought to be direct descendants of the original deer that were present when the park was first enclosed in the 14th century. The land was granted to Margaret Legh, daughter of Sir Thomas Danyers, by King Richard II in 1398. The estate also features 15 acres of formal gardens.</div><div><br /></div><div>The central feature of Lyme is its glorious mansion; construction of this house began in the 16th century, and further alterations were made in the 17th and 18th centuries. It is noted to have Elizabethan, Palladian and Baroque features. The estate was home to the Legh family for almost 550 years (although an engraved stone on the house says 600 years), when in 1946 it was given to the National Trust. In 1983 it was designated Grade I Listed status. It was managed by the Stockport Corporation / Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council until the National Trust took over completely in 1994. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTbmVokSyiSIFLL7ng61L8aDOk-OaBOKnGxkTXWPwI-nh8N10LmOZ-POsmjgq3KBfNciBM1tsorsjDfKsm6zXCf4ksd4hko4bDC3SxTlmGJ_seTnvWkzv4zBhJAdyJheCpzgUkEgYj5FzLKy1fKU16nVLDZ18P8NGvEo8hLLQGBrQX7GSiZeSZ3a8dko/s3264/Lyme%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1436" data-original-width="3264" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTbmVokSyiSIFLL7ng61L8aDOk-OaBOKnGxkTXWPwI-nh8N10LmOZ-POsmjgq3KBfNciBM1tsorsjDfKsm6zXCf4ksd4hko4bDC3SxTlmGJ_seTnvWkzv4zBhJAdyJheCpzgUkEgYj5FzLKy1fKU16nVLDZ18P8NGvEo8hLLQGBrQX7GSiZeSZ3a8dko/w640-h282/Lyme%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>We visited the estate on 19 August 2023 to take part in its free, weekly, timed 5 kilometre event called <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/lymepark/" target="_blank">Lyme Park parkrun</a>. The parkrun event has been in place since 22 February 2014 and is open to all abilities including those who wish to walk. We travelled by car, but as we live in Kent, we stayed overnight in a Premier Inn before making the short journey by road on the morning of the event. For the record the closest Premier Inn is Stockport South (6.5 miles), however we had chosen to stay in the Macclesfield North Premier Inn (12 miles away). There are also some independent hotels in Disley.</div><div><br /></div><div>Arrival by vehicle is simple enough, but please note the official opening time for the car park is 8.30am, so there's no point in arriving any earlier than this. In fact arriving early can cause a blockage on the A6 just outside the main gate. There is a large on-site car park which is free-of-charge, and parkrunners also get to bypass the usual entry fee for the grounds. If travelling by public transport, Disley Station is the one to head for (approx 30 minute journey time from Manchester). Google maps reports the walk to the centre of the park as being around 2.5 miles, so make sure you leave enough time to cover the distance. For those using bus services, the 199 Skyline and the 360 both seem to stop outside the main vehicle entrance. If you travel by bicycle you can secure it at the bicycle rack in the car park.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3Y094skdl08i0R3yxyPgRc-soE8mgFzC6gVtm5bxDiCEB5VTw9TXq1eKW7xfxDAXQzi0HmiHDHaL4aN-6Jz4OZGIHmfrlbl6YgNt_48rwC0BhrcWZj12MJOZy63VCfu7qiyYOC90BAEbKkcbjcGLsB9uQHASd9J334rS9oLydkYPRfUjnr2hQbPFsE8/s3264/Lyme%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1436" data-original-width="3264" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3Y094skdl08i0R3yxyPgRc-soE8mgFzC6gVtm5bxDiCEB5VTw9TXq1eKW7xfxDAXQzi0HmiHDHaL4aN-6Jz4OZGIHmfrlbl6YgNt_48rwC0BhrcWZj12MJOZy63VCfu7qiyYOC90BAEbKkcbjcGLsB9uQHASd9J334rS9oLydkYPRfUjnr2hQbPFsE8/w640-h282/Lyme%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Once on-site the toilets are noted as being open from 8.30am, so that ties in nicely with the gate opening time. They are located at the Timber Yard Cafe building, but please note that this is in the opposite direction to the parkrun meeting point, so don't arrive too late if you think you'll need to use the facilities pre-parkrun. The meeting point is on the open grass area to the south of the car park, and this is where the main briefing was held. The event also starts around this point, but the finish is in a different location.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lyme Park parkrun uses a point-to-point route, but is probably mostly referred to as a 1 lap course. Underfoot is a mixture of surfaces, including loose stones, rocks, woodland paths, tarmac and grass. <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/lymepark/course/" target="_blank">The official course page</a> describes it as 'Breathtaking. Literally!'. The first word of the quote is a double entendre, with the main gist of this being that it is hilly. In fact, it is in the top ten of the hilliest UK parkruns. The second meaning will become apparent later on.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb3deevbxQhxeebxgLJ8BWMz25EgI-uxKy2WV8NxJ3L4NseJUBrV4bWpZQmTqhLf61E_k5c8u82-Nb_c_57_g0AuIp4yibry7enDjTfoKZVyF06dXD_akCgs3XEAbbnR4ZB66HZA2lGPrWR16rDADW8YF7rpzdUgsy7pRsJyHOhtJXH5fpa5JKGK4eASg/s3264/Lyme%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1436" data-original-width="3264" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb3deevbxQhxeebxgLJ8BWMz25EgI-uxKy2WV8NxJ3L4NseJUBrV4bWpZQmTqhLf61E_k5c8u82-Nb_c_57_g0AuIp4yibry7enDjTfoKZVyF06dXD_akCgs3XEAbbnR4ZB66HZA2lGPrWR16rDADW8YF7rpzdUgsy7pRsJyHOhtJXH5fpa5JKGK4eASg/w640-h282/Lyme%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>As for footwear, it is an off-road type of course, so in the winter trail shoes are a must. My personal preference would be to use trail shoes all year round. Buggy runners are welcome at Lyme Park parkrun, all I'd say is note the above and be prepared for a tough course with very uneven surfaces at times. If you were to look it up on the 5k app, it is noted as not being suitable for buggies.</div><div><br /></div><div>Dogs are also welcome here, but do bear in mind that it is a deer park so it is worth checking the '<a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cheshire-greater-manchester/lyme/visiting-lyme-with-your-dog" target="_blank">Visiting Lyme with your dog</a>' page beforehand. I would say that this course is not suitable for wheelchair users. Please also note that there are electric fences in certain points around the course.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUvtgjZBMWBp08F1z_KGM0LfNDocVdJRUrGIPSgFRpfL421j2-V4e-VhEl5pp6BpRd8C7K2AGEaFj4P87Tam8JcLA6bTsC1PeZrvq-IcVLH73ZIMOtwttcreEGzuCl5ormjnSoGtyrlEcy1nuM4ph5ZJmzxElh9s2_8loyhbgN3LHOfCcEthNKdI985o/s3264/Lyme%205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1436" data-original-width="3264" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUvtgjZBMWBp08F1z_KGM0LfNDocVdJRUrGIPSgFRpfL421j2-V4e-VhEl5pp6BpRd8C7K2AGEaFj4P87Tam8JcLA6bTsC1PeZrvq-IcVLH73ZIMOtwttcreEGzuCl5ormjnSoGtyrlEcy1nuM4ph5ZJmzxElh9s2_8loyhbgN3LHOfCcEthNKdI985o/w640-h282/Lyme%205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>On the day we visited, the parkrunners and volunteers congregated at the refreshments hut in the car park. The first-timers briefing was held here before moving across to the south side of the car park. The parkrun starts at the gate and first makes its way along the Gritstone Path heading to the south. The path is part of a much longer, 56 kilometre walking route, called the Gritstone Trail, which runs from Disley to Kidsgrove. The initial stretch of the course is initially quite narrow, underfoot is very stony, and the first 500 metres are a pure relentless climb averaging between 10% and 13% incline. The first 400 metres have a lightly wooded area to the left, which many participants chose to run or walk through rather than sticking to the rocky path. To the right is open grassland with a view across Drinkwater Meadow and beyond.</div><div><br /></div><div>Upon reaching the 400 metre point, there is a second gate and this takes the parkrunners into Knightslow Wood. At first the incline maintains the same trajectory, but it does ease off and become relatively flat for a bit, before climbing again, but at a less severe 5%. Underfoot is a forest trail path. The 800 metre point, which is also the southernmost point of the course, is the location of another gate. This point features a 90 degree left hand turn and after a little bit more gentle climbing the highest point of the course is reached. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhS6rPx9A4RPc74n8pkWIseX5NYBhM0u1ql7_RJUV-xcGK40Edy7ACzSObKaGDV0uBQZwkjolDNcUNcoHrDfnO_tUrUkSUPrIwMuwEgcKRrbjLw0iWh5fF4KO0LPNsrP_7q4XcSROCU40xSHkXmF47Z_bzFJc4z059H6SNfXNPE_lvQgmU-Y1Po5nCBI/s3264/Lyme%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1436" data-original-width="3264" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhS6rPx9A4RPc74n8pkWIseX5NYBhM0u1ql7_RJUV-xcGK40Edy7ACzSObKaGDV0uBQZwkjolDNcUNcoHrDfnO_tUrUkSUPrIwMuwEgcKRrbjLw0iWh5fF4KO0LPNsrP_7q4XcSROCU40xSHkXmF47Z_bzFJc4z059H6SNfXNPE_lvQgmU-Y1Po5nCBI/w640-h282/Lyme%206.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The woods and the park's boundary wall are on the left and on the right hand side is open land, where you may spot some cows grazing on the other side of the electric fence. This path is sometimes referred to as The Rollercoaster, as it flows up and down. One of the short downhills is particularly steep. From this section onwards I seemed to become the focus of interest for a swarm of flies and they would not leave me alone for the rest of the parkrun. I was aware that some other parkrunners were having similar struggles, but there were other people who were not affected at all.</div><div><br /></div><div>Another left hand turn and another gate marks the point where the parkrun is closest to one of the park's interesting features, an octagonal tower called The Lantern. You can't see it from the course because it sits within Lantern Wood. There are many theories to its origin and purpose, but the most-common suggestion is that it is a folly, constructed to be viewed from the dining room in the mansion. It is Grade II Listed. The course at this point continues the downhill theme as it follows the path to the east of the main house, which despite its size, is not visible from the parkrun course. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7KWFMawCLIAohz7FLFuyfsBEDbM1xZUMkADC6OCbprTrlV5_gBxrC3168OHjkVpfNRtdz402Yw7jvfgs6oAo2pmrAFDEKWs4CbziPZ4POzftVMc1XXiJspZsx2sPv6nfEpqtnbd6jjYex-0fLn8pt2d_9NbGqkrnOGic3z3vXkhF0EM0zJGCNYuA4qU8/s3264/Lyme%207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="3264" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7KWFMawCLIAohz7FLFuyfsBEDbM1xZUMkADC6OCbprTrlV5_gBxrC3168OHjkVpfNRtdz402Yw7jvfgs6oAo2pmrAFDEKWs4CbziPZ4POzftVMc1XXiJspZsx2sPv6nfEpqtnbd6jjYex-0fLn8pt2d_9NbGqkrnOGic3z3vXkhF0EM0zJGCNYuA4qU8/w640-h198/Lyme%207.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Leaving this area, the course again starts to climb. First on a tarmac path, but shortly after onto grass where the terrain becomes more rugged and open. In the distance is another of the park's iconic features, the large, square sandstone building called The Cage. A structure called The Cage has been in existence since around 1580, however the original building was taken down and rebuilt between 1734 and 1737. Its exact purpose is not known, but it is most likely to have been a hunting lodge. The hunters would have used the building to spot the deer, before heading out on their hunt. The ladies would remain in the building to watch the hunt from the building's elevated vantage point. Afterwards they would have dined on the first floor.</div><div><br /></div><div>The parkrun route heads straight towards The Cage, the path climbing gently until reaching the base of the three-story building. The view from this elevated position reveals the second meaning of the course page's description, breathtaking! On a clear day you can see into Greater Manchester and also across towards Kinder Scout, in Derbyshire, which is the highest point in the Peak District. During parkrun there's not really time to take it all in, so it is worth making a note to walk back over afterwards. The course then continues straight past The Cage and starts to head down the hill.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpogT3UV7FjVMmNovMFQjJaZclIntBV8K1KzzoB88omsymjU3ge_Swn2gfyBZKC1ZVIuUxgb24dSjQDjGqlO2a2LKlRLOhvBdwRp8IHO0Mo_ewFecanTwKJ-zWw-2B8j4FWpMlVrMhQAdKSI10_UO631g20eXQxZiMMSj-AQCP-uIGWxr8sXGKHA5BayA/s3264/Lyme%208.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1518" data-original-width="3264" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpogT3UV7FjVMmNovMFQjJaZclIntBV8K1KzzoB88omsymjU3ge_Swn2gfyBZKC1ZVIuUxgb24dSjQDjGqlO2a2LKlRLOhvBdwRp8IHO0Mo_ewFecanTwKJ-zWw-2B8j4FWpMlVrMhQAdKSI10_UO631g20eXQxZiMMSj-AQCP-uIGWxr8sXGKHA5BayA/w640-h298/Lyme%208.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The downhill section here is fairly steep and continues for exactly 1 kilometre all the way to the northernmost point of the course. Underfoot is mostly a rocky path which is quite treacherous. At the very end of the downhill section, at 3.7 kilometres into the event, there is a sharp left hand turn. This is the lowest point of the entire course, and you know what that means, don't you? The final 1.3 kilometres is all uphill. On paper the first part is the hardest as it registers around a 10% incline for a few hundred metres. The incline does ease off a little after that, but at this stage in the parkrun any uphill is going to feel tough.</div><div><br /></div><div>The final stretch of path heads just to the west of The Cage and leads towards the finish line, which as noted above is in a different location to the start. Barcode scanning takes place straight after the finish funnel. From here it is a short walk back to the car park, or to the parkrun's official post-event refreshments venue, the Timber Yard Cafe. They had the usual selection of drinks and cakes, but the choices for food were quite limited - even more so when it comes to vegetarian or vegan options. However, the staff were nice enough to prepare a not-on-the-menu food item for my daughter. Other refreshments options are the hut in the car park, or there's another cafe in the mansion itself.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CgIH7gEeZkaeLJ44qcGdE6otiwG25iuaxcgCceYpsWtDrSas4AhLoll2mrQT4M0dTJkPWMRk0iVbtf9Pgbkk4wmP3UDUXoYftVuI5HjbGTReHRoRs8mAAUiviBAHBgsIqeR7p9EPo8htKlNeiDXZ-BuG_AOby8ZmondMzmPSARKkG-I6aCLTThkgxuc/s3264/Lyme%209.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1518" data-original-width="3264" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CgIH7gEeZkaeLJ44qcGdE6otiwG25iuaxcgCceYpsWtDrSas4AhLoll2mrQT4M0dTJkPWMRk0iVbtf9Pgbkk4wmP3UDUXoYftVuI5HjbGTReHRoRs8mAAUiviBAHBgsIqeR7p9EPo8htKlNeiDXZ-BuG_AOby8ZmondMzmPSARKkG-I6aCLTThkgxuc/w640-h298/Lyme%209.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The parkrun <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/lymepark/results/414/" target="_blank">results for event number 414</a> were published later that morning and 168 people had taken part. This figure was at the higher end of the normal attendance figure. A normal week tends to be in the 100-150 range, but this can dip under 100 when the weather conditions are not favourable. I did of course record the course with my Garmin, and <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/9677090897" target="_blank">the course data can be viewed on Strava</a>. The total elevation was 127m according to my readings. That GPS data was also used to create a Relive course fly-by video which can be viewed on YouTube.</div><div><br /></div><div>If visiting this venue, it would be wrong to leave without taking a proper look at the mansion. So after our refreshments that's what we did. As we were already in the grounds we could freely explore them without a charge; this includes the deer park and the formal gardens, but not the interior of the house itself - for that you would need to pay an additional fee. The formal gardens are very nice indeed, but there was one spot I wanted to go to, and that is on the south side of the lake. This is where the classic viewpoint of the house can be found, and it is fantastic. Fans of TV or films may recognise the house from the BBC's version of Pride and Prejudice (1995), but it was also used in The Village (2013-14 TV series) and in The Awakening (2011), and many others.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_1he6yp6MC9Z0oL511dmztk_ULpKR9xQmtW9uEXaOifD2pPCQQsyTJK-alg09OqvXprMb9VkXKol_MaX4lC5Y4MRonKqVwOccj2QQDtb2Lm_34W0PCaZpLMnTX20Eesm78fuXIvp2EcPFGKtDFz0H5XjxXsJtOWsNJBiNGlah6KFfyo-l2EhH0CJmCg/s3264/Lyme%2012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1518" data-original-width="3264" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_1he6yp6MC9Z0oL511dmztk_ULpKR9xQmtW9uEXaOifD2pPCQQsyTJK-alg09OqvXprMb9VkXKol_MaX4lC5Y4MRonKqVwOccj2QQDtb2Lm_34W0PCaZpLMnTX20Eesm78fuXIvp2EcPFGKtDFz0H5XjxXsJtOWsNJBiNGlah6KFfyo-l2EhH0CJmCg/w640-h298/Lyme%2012.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Once we had finished exploring the formal gardens, we headed back up towards The Cage. Quite unexpectedly we found that it was open to visitors between 12 and 3pm, so we also had the opportunity to go inside The Cage, but only the ground and first floors because apparently the upper floor was in bad condition and not suitable for visitors. Sadly we ran out of time and didn't get to see The Lantern. Another spot that we didn't quite manage to get to was the Bowstones, which are a bit further along the Gritstone Trail - you can apparently see into seven different counties from here.</div><div><br /></div><div>Our extended <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/9679656694" target="_blank">post-parkrun walk</a> had clocked up at a further 8 kilometres, so a 13 kilometre stint of combined running and walking was about enough for us by this point in the day. It was still only about 2.30pm, but it was now time to leave Lyme and continue our adventures elsewhere.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxUSiFOhG_UY8aF2M2qqSxwjFF11YRVTvGtFbo0SXDxOnGjIwp7pUsV1rZ4mIiB0NjQvY1vYLPsM_ICNxXtjRKPZdGCVz4K8kr8HUrXClLCu1p3k5h1cONvdBrW4m2pw-B62FCkbKWUFDp-mciUMeBPD13rzkqqkmBeYEaaAeLZ51ilEDDkmjLsyZtm8/s3264/Lyme%2011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1518" data-original-width="3264" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxUSiFOhG_UY8aF2M2qqSxwjFF11YRVTvGtFbo0SXDxOnGjIwp7pUsV1rZ4mIiB0NjQvY1vYLPsM_ICNxXtjRKPZdGCVz4K8kr8HUrXClLCu1p3k5h1cONvdBrW4m2pw-B62FCkbKWUFDp-mciUMeBPD13rzkqqkmBeYEaaAeLZ51ilEDDkmjLsyZtm8/w640-h298/Lyme%2011.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>This event had been in my calendar for at least 18 months prior to our visit, so it was brilliant to finally have the opportunity to take part in a parkrun in this very special place. Everything had been amazing (we'd also had a little family event to celebrate, which tied in with being at Lyme on this particular date). A huge thank you goes to all of the volunteers, especially to the day's Run Director who was kind enough to make a special announcement to the crowd during the main briefing. We were made to feel very welcome and this is definitely a very memorable and special place to visit.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Related Links:</b></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/9677090897" target="_blank">My GPS data of the course</a> (19 August 2023)</div><div><a href="https://youtu.be/aVzGxm8E4fQ" target="_blank">The Relive Course Fly-by Video</a> (19 August 2023)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2016/01/national-trust-parkrun-venues.html" target="_blank">The National Trust parkrun Venues</a> (blog7t page)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>copy7thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07869260780729697873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8778671273358983652.post-87464062507440571142023-08-07T19:39:00.006+01:002023-08-07T20:20:09.751+01:00Higginson parkrun, MarlowThe town of Marlow, in <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2016/02/the-buckinghamshire-parkrun-venues.html" target="_blank">Buckinghamshire</a>, sits on the banks of the River Thames and has a population of around 14,000 people. It was first recorded in 1015 as Mere Iafan, which means 'land left after the draining of a pond'. By the time the Domesday book was written, it had evolved into Merlaue. In later years it was called Great Marlow, and this distinguished it from the nearby village of Little Marlow. Over time it became a significant town and was granted its own market in the 13th century. The town's position meant it became the location of the river crossing on the main road between Reading and High Wycombe.<div><br /></div><div>A bridge has existed in Marlow since the 13th century. The current bridge is a suspension bridge, which was built between 1829 and 1832. It is famous for being a prototype for the Széchenyi Chain Bridge, which crosses the River Danube in Budapest, Hungary. The town is twinned, or 'bridged' with Budapest and also twinned with the French town Marly Le Roi. Adjacent to the bridge is Marlow Rowing Club, founded in 1871 and one of the top rowing clubs in the country. In recent history, it has produced a number of Olympic standard athletes including Steve Redgrave, who famously won gold medals at five consecutive Olympics between 1984 and 2000. He also has a statue just across the river in Higginson Park.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0M-8zDjD-zJfuEi2yVCfA-7joOLsh0d7rSTV7Hz1UOUmZMlqnz-yv55filTlTdJP2eNbyEzC3xCnIIGDNKVeQ-1D8WmaghXmj3YTUEEwiP2aQFwJ1Eaw9XvrlDkj1_tp1BJCxNwSqAiADJQGeXUNKXuYRNhsML567N9iD9gj_JguONLrMvhN_7WgMV2s/s3264/Higginson%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1636" data-original-width="3264" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0M-8zDjD-zJfuEi2yVCfA-7joOLsh0d7rSTV7Hz1UOUmZMlqnz-yv55filTlTdJP2eNbyEzC3xCnIIGDNKVeQ-1D8WmaghXmj3YTUEEwiP2aQFwJ1Eaw9XvrlDkj1_tp1BJCxNwSqAiADJQGeXUNKXuYRNhsML567N9iD9gj_JguONLrMvhN_7WgMV2s/w640-h320/Higginson%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Higginson Park, opened in 1926, is the town's main public open green space. It sits in the grounds of a former country house, Court Garden. The house itself was designed and built in the mid-1700s by its owner, Dr William Battie, who famously forgot to include a staircase to reach the upper floor; one was subsequently added. The house has offices used by Marlow Town Council and is also used as a venue for events such as weddings and other functions. The park is named after General Sir George Higginson who fought in the Crimean War and was one of the town's 'most distinguished and loved citizens'.<br /><div><br /></div><div>The park covers an area of 23 acres and contains a playground, skate park, cricket pitch, café, toilets, as well as formal planting, museum, and a maze. On 18 August 2018, the park became home to Marlow's very own free, weekly, timed 5km event, open to all abilities including walkers, called <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/higginsonmarlow/" target="_blank">Higginson parkrun</a>. We visited on 5 August 2023 and took part in event number 158. The venue can easily be reached by various methods of travel. If driving, the park has a car park called Pound Lane Car Park. This serves the park and the leisure centre which sits alongside Court Garden. Payment can be made via the pay-and-display machines by cash or card, but I paid using the RingGo app.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PmiKn00PdtNrjf5isVpSA9xF_ggJV8quauluJD49EAy5ajQaol7Sgl19gWmDpCcR5bRuUNLt___vhm1g3UPwZUGhFX75P1OVkWwjqHwOR5XM-R5VD1EXEE1y1VMnZ9M70iqhqEJtbbjuXxrAkLYrxTAEOSar_Dop3gwS3XdVZq-7ten9bU9KgqxS5KQ/s3264/Higginson%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1347" data-original-width="3264" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PmiKn00PdtNrjf5isVpSA9xF_ggJV8quauluJD49EAy5ajQaol7Sgl19gWmDpCcR5bRuUNLt___vhm1g3UPwZUGhFX75P1OVkWwjqHwOR5XM-R5VD1EXEE1y1VMnZ9M70iqhqEJtbbjuXxrAkLYrxTAEOSar_Dop3gwS3XdVZq-7ten9bU9KgqxS5KQ/w640-h264/Higginson%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Travel by train is also possible. Marlow Station is located in the centre of the town and is approximately 1km away from the park. The station is located on the Marlow Branch Line, which is also known as the Marlow Donkey, and has one train per hour running from Maidenhead during off-peak times. If using this method be sure to check the timetables to ensure timely arrival is possible. There are also some bus services to Marlow from nearby towns, I understand these are the X80, 800 and 850 services. The park also has various bicycle racks dotted around. There is one in the car park, another outside the leisure centre, or one near the park's main pedestrian entrance. The park's public toilets are also located next to the main pedestrian entrance.</div><div><br /></div><div>The meeting point for the parkrun is usually over by the skate park, but on the day we visited, a fun fair was set-up across the regular start area, so the meeting point and start was moved to the grass outside Court Garden, next to the statue of Steve Redgrave. As it was raining, the participants had congregated underneath a tree, so on this occasion the briefings were held undercover. The minor change to the start didn't affect the course very much at all.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVmXPmsiML7fMnh-OJB4cymU-hd0PLjKWEFHElXdAdCnfEEEWQfgBDqhTFh9Xxw8W0ktGZuSvwoX2sao33o2g_L5G0YotmMnuUi3WKE5pAHnVj6krXIWvT4CPcwHGU-Dyd2XUWBRckB_ePRSmAc87USlWMmOwDJW-bi7V2jLrbPBSP-KGb92HmQUdCZ3c/s3264/Higginson%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1347" data-original-width="3264" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVmXPmsiML7fMnh-OJB4cymU-hd0PLjKWEFHElXdAdCnfEEEWQfgBDqhTFh9Xxw8W0ktGZuSvwoX2sao33o2g_L5G0YotmMnuUi3WKE5pAHnVj6krXIWvT4CPcwHGU-Dyd2XUWBRckB_ePRSmAc87USlWMmOwDJW-bi7V2jLrbPBSP-KGb92HmQUdCZ3c/w640-h264/Higginson%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The course at this event consists of two small laps of part of the park, followed by an out-and-back along the River Thames. The surfaces underfoot in the park are grass and tarmac, and the section along the river is a compact gravel style path. The course is flat, but there is a tiny incline during the laps of the park. For footwear, this course would mostly be fine for road shoes, but it looks like it can get a bit muddy in the winter, so some may prefer trails for that.</div><div><br /></div><div>Please note that due to narrow sections on the course, double-width running buggies and dogs are not permitted at this parkrun venue. There is also a note on <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/higginsonmarlow/course/" target="_blank">the course page</a> advising those who wish to participate with a single buggy to contact the team in advance for advice on course conditions. So from the start, the participants start on a nice wide start line with plenty of space. Once reaching the path two anti-clockwise laps are completed. This includes a short stretch along the Thames past the moored boats, where you may also spot some of the resident swans. The wonderful suspension bridge provides a great backdrop to the view down the river.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDQWTzxpve3Jw3gzVlY8lJKy9c-f4QlAssPCCYtt4VTcLkIjrXMiriOCLfD7kYn_euz46Nl-yZDk3lgnVATo8hFZtJfC2xJC2lLsOo4Z8cUz8Uu-WU30DlqdXBHG5K5TqRyDA6GpQEdniC79vaaYZYtu0n04vhAIQ3U1o7L0LApwW6lkIvKdWWIwXZ54/s3264/Higginson%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1347" data-original-width="3264" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDQWTzxpve3Jw3gzVlY8lJKy9c-f4QlAssPCCYtt4VTcLkIjrXMiriOCLfD7kYn_euz46Nl-yZDk3lgnVATo8hFZtJfC2xJC2lLsOo4Z8cUz8Uu-WU30DlqdXBHG5K5TqRyDA6GpQEdniC79vaaYZYtu0n04vhAIQ3U1o7L0LApwW6lkIvKdWWIwXZ54/w640-h264/Higginson%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>With the two small laps completed, the parkrun route turns to head out of the park, heading south along the river. The out-and-back is simple to follow and there is absolutely no chance of getting lost. The main things to note are; there are a number of small wooden bridges to cross, they can be slippery in wet conditions, plus a couple of them feature quite a pronounced hump. The other thing to note is the path has some random chunks missing which could result in a dip in the river. Once you have seen these areas, the rules around buggies and dogs make perfect sense.</div><div><br /></div><div>The river marks the boundary between <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2016/02/the-buckinghamshire-parkrun-venues.html" target="_blank">Buckinghamshire</a> and <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2016/09/the-berkshire-parkrun-venues.html" target="_blank">Berkshire</a>, and the views across the river into Bisham, Berkshire are lovely. The main locations to note are Bisham's All Saints Church, which has a twelfth century tower, with further sections from the 15th century. It is quite an unusual, but nice looking building. Further along the river is the Grade I Listed manor house, Bisham Abbey, which originally dates back to 1260. It was built for the Knights Templar. The grounds are now home to Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre, which provides specialist facilities for elite athletes.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYg6pCJQMbu-7cQhqodxz-qowPDdARzfoLbmELmo5xypGEc0g9yI0qs4MsjmAKoOTnJVB8XJLL88Wmo15TlkxlTX-m9kQ8F4O-n_RvHvSw3ua32iQM2qtJaVo15UwRboWGmg0cO_23meXu2LXn_iw6iAoMOg_ELc9-nFqA2ZKf4F6rhJ6IjZQTlL92ls/s3264/Higginson%205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1347" data-original-width="3264" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYg6pCJQMbu-7cQhqodxz-qowPDdARzfoLbmELmo5xypGEc0g9yI0qs4MsjmAKoOTnJVB8XJLL88Wmo15TlkxlTX-m9kQ8F4O-n_RvHvSw3ua32iQM2qtJaVo15UwRboWGmg0cO_23meXu2LXn_iw6iAoMOg_ELc9-nFqA2ZKf4F6rhJ6IjZQTlL92ls/w640-h264/Higginson%205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Towards the end of the out-and-back section, the land to the side of the path opens up and gives a lovely countryside view, complete with cows grazing in the field. The turnaround point is reached at exactly 3 kilometres into the course. The route back is just a simple case of following the river path back to Higginson Park where the finish is found back at the original start line.</div><div><br /></div><div>For clarity, for the alternative course used on 5 August 2023, the finish line was in front of the house, but when the standard course is used, the finish line is located over at the skate park. It was only the exact location of the start and finish that were different; the rest of the course was identical. I have managed to get my hands on some GPS data for the regular course, so the link to that can be found at the bottom of the page along with my data, where you will also find links to Relive course fly-by videos.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIyZCREcTxkW456jm2R7SShtxmusR_2xHpky1spvYVxjfii_mpD9l_B6jiPrFtM--sOEA8aza6BreT8cC_RUDbT9F1WYoR3zpV8Nmr-y9ZqcXLJ1-S546yZ10R-UQVGhedCMXq0-Z0hMKlqzuGNgCP4QdFwQC69W8-TaLt9x3YB_r0bCHosGzVeonovzo/s3264/Higginson%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1347" data-original-width="3264" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIyZCREcTxkW456jm2R7SShtxmusR_2xHpky1spvYVxjfii_mpD9l_B6jiPrFtM--sOEA8aza6BreT8cC_RUDbT9F1WYoR3zpV8Nmr-y9ZqcXLJ1-S546yZ10R-UQVGhedCMXq0-Z0hMKlqzuGNgCP4QdFwQC69W8-TaLt9x3YB_r0bCHosGzVeonovzo/w640-h264/Higginson%206.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Barcode scanning is taken care of straight after the finish line and once the participants, tail walker and the marshals are all safely back in the park, the team go to The M Cafe, which is adjacent to Court Garden. They have the usual selection of drinks plus a small selection of breakfast food items and the prices seemed fairly reasonable. If you decide to sit and eat outside, please take note of the 'Beware of Red Kites' signs; they apparently steal food. The results were processed and online a short while later and 123 people took part in event 158. This figure was slightly down on the average, which at the time of writing stands at 157.9. The range is usually between 120-200 participants. The slightly lower attendance during our visit may have been down to the wet weather.</div><div><br /></div><div>I would also like to highlight that this venue does have its fair share of cancellations throughout the year. Some are as a result of other events using the park such as the Marlow Town Regatta, which is usually held in early June. The Pub in the Park event in May also leads to a cancellation. Some of the cancellations are due to course conditions. During wetter periods the river level rises and can completely cover sections of the riverside footpath, leaving no choice but the cancel. So it is definitely worth keeping an eye out on the event's news and social media pages. Also, anyone requiring an overnight stay will be pleased to know that there is a Premier Inn opposite the park. </div><div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG9eyhVsmF7yRR3tJjG2uGinFDsRosZie-KUp-WteAhRBX-BK0ytB-aXTD3LOae92CXliEyWw2ofWDs9r7hda48n8MUWyCYP7bsiWNf1wyUeby4viUMzMpzLepFEgZbw6BrMKWgsUIz-OOqPdx7bNlbKOWjmy0pY6t61po6syDZFfZ-wOvyjURGDQH758/s3264/Higginson%207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1347" data-original-width="3264" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG9eyhVsmF7yRR3tJjG2uGinFDsRosZie-KUp-WteAhRBX-BK0ytB-aXTD3LOae92CXliEyWw2ofWDs9r7hda48n8MUWyCYP7bsiWNf1wyUeby4viUMzMpzLepFEgZbw6BrMKWgsUIz-OOqPdx7bNlbKOWjmy0pY6t61po6syDZFfZ-wOvyjURGDQH758/w640-h264/Higginson%207.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /><br /></div><div>On the day we visited, the weather was miserable, so we probably didn't see the course and town at its very best, however it was still lovely, as were all the volunteers. After we had refreshed ourselves in the cafe and changed into some dry clothes, we had a little wander around the town, including a quick visit to Marlow's All Saints church which is next to the bridge. There was also a small market open opposite the park with some lovely looking artisan bread and other local products. We'd had a very wet, but very nice time in Marlow. A huge thank you goes to all of the volunteers that happily stood out in the rain and made the event possible.<br /><br /><br /><b>Related Links:</b></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/9592341498" target="_blank">GPS data</a> (standard course)</div><div><a href="https://youtu.be/MzbPxI_SXBg" target="_blank">Relive fly-by video</a> (standard course)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/9587992834" target="_blank">GPS data</a> (5 August 2023 - alternative start area)</div><div><a href="https://youtu.be/iF2r2cvq_uk" target="_blank">Relive fly-by video</a> (5 August 2023 - alternative start area)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2016/02/the-buckinghamshire-parkrun-venues.html" target="_blank">The Buckinghamshire parkrun venues</a> (blog7t page)</div><div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div></div></div>copy7thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07869260780729697873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8778671273358983652.post-74799300296539096272023-07-23T19:15:00.004+01:002023-07-30T21:09:12.508+01:00Lloyd parkrunThe large town of Croydon was historically part of the county of <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/03/the-surrey-parkrun-venues.html" target="_blank">Surrey</a>, but was incorporated into <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-london-parkruns.html" target="_blank">Greater London</a> in 1965. The early settlement grew from its position on the Roman road between London and Brighton. Its name is thought to come from it being a place where the Saffron Crocus was cultivated. Wikipedia says that 'Croh' is the Anglo Saxon word for Crocus and 'Denu' was the word for valley - so Croh-Denu. Another theory is that the name could be linked to the words 'Crai' and 'Din', meaning a settlement near water. The modern-day town now has a population of around 200,000 people.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMspM2Mmr9EySeFRpMaH-nse13COHBpsL24eNQmBnGR7Do015AWMdhcoYEQ5XpvbBZO-HGO1IH5BzpUyeF-sA-pcs20sn34vdHqVS90CpB3CUdDEeSXLtGkDaUEN1-9pV69XNGgIKox5S7xJk0R1kdPkj3fAIy9mI2BKMFW_CJt8lzWGERyLxmLa0_LI/s3264/Lloyd%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1342" data-original-width="3264" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMspM2Mmr9EySeFRpMaH-nse13COHBpsL24eNQmBnGR7Do015AWMdhcoYEQ5XpvbBZO-HGO1IH5BzpUyeF-sA-pcs20sn34vdHqVS90CpB3CUdDEeSXLtGkDaUEN1-9pV69XNGgIKox5S7xJk0R1kdPkj3fAIy9mI2BKMFW_CJt8lzWGERyLxmLa0_LI/w640-h264/Lloyd%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Some land to the east of the town centre had for many centuries been part of the ancient Coombe Estate which was first recorded in 1221. The estate changed hands many times throughout the years and in the 1890s was purchased by Frank Lloyd, a local newspaper magnate. The newspaper publishing business he ran was founded by his father Edward Lloyd. One of the publications, The Daily Chronicle, was sold by Frank Lloyd to Prime Minister Lloyd George in 1918. A sale that meant the previously-independent newspaper came under political ownership.</div><div><br /></div><div>When Frank Lloyd passed away in 1927, he bequeathed some of the estate's land to the Borough of Croydon. This land was opened as a public park under the name Lloyd Park. The park covers 114 acres and is a mixture of fairly natural, undulating parkland and also open grassy fields suitable for sports such as football. There are also tennis courts, a bowling green, outdoor gym, children's playground and London's Premier <a href="http://www.croydondiscgolf.com/" target="_blank">Disc Golf</a> course. On 23 October 2010, the park became home to <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/lloyd/" target="_blank">Lloyd parkrun</a>, which is a free, weekly, timed 5km running and walking event held on Saturday mornings at 9am.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfQFaS6J2yaVogZf6jqQRnxSsW_Nsd7AGwSDCKlma5d15xQiwUR_cJ4gGisplFCwTlDF2FHdSGtXLGoqpE8DraCcZ8GYTqoqjHo811W4Oiz6l6m7wQNEcQ7KKxUIZcxl5-_oTFPMtF0juNcPAYicHWE4noPFsdgQuoDygoX9TG3yVlOKimEmCSmiArCI/s3264/Lloyd%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1342" data-original-width="3264" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfQFaS6J2yaVogZf6jqQRnxSsW_Nsd7AGwSDCKlma5d15xQiwUR_cJ4gGisplFCwTlDF2FHdSGtXLGoqpE8DraCcZ8GYTqoqjHo811W4Oiz6l6m7wQNEcQ7KKxUIZcxl5-_oTFPMtF0juNcPAYicHWE4noPFsdgQuoDygoX9TG3yVlOKimEmCSmiArCI/w640-h264/Lloyd%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The main facilities are all located within the same area in the park's south-west corner. There is a pavillion building containing a cafe and toilets, these should be open shortly before the parkrun starts. If travelling to the venue in a vehicle, there is a car park which can be accessed from Coombe Road. It is quite a compact car park, holding approximately 45 cars in the main section, plus a smaller over-spill section that can hold another 14. Vehicles can remain in the car park for up to three hours for which there is no charge, however you must obtain a ticket from the machine and display this in the window. Should the car park be full, there may be some on-street bays available on the side streets to the south of Coombe Road. The car park also has a bicycle rack which will hold around 20 bikes.</div><div><br /></div><div>If arriving by public transport, the nearest train station is South Croydon which is served by Southern trains. It's just over 1 kilometre away from the park. East Croydon station is the main transport hub of the town and is also fairly close at around 1.7km away. Croydon is home to the only remaining tramway system in southern England, and Lloyd Park tram stop is conveniently located right at the entrance to the park. For those travelling from further afield that may require an overnight stay, the Premier Inn 'London Croydon South' is just under 1 km away, so is an ideal place to stay. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxrzZQljHnKiPVzTc3KH3wzc1qto_jfE05MlwDOZdA_-zpK_OykdOeFEvZCGQWzKsIuj7MVCH9N8zxjcIbTLhp3myCHay0R28OCdd2aBK1Nip02kGjSwMmorT54TM7NQu_HyNV7zRP5n8EDIhhkVV82gSUYRbVlAS0kDu5gQabs4J5mfz8YWdIs3bQm0/s3264/Lloyd%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1342" data-original-width="3264" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxrzZQljHnKiPVzTc3KH3wzc1qto_jfE05MlwDOZdA_-zpK_OykdOeFEvZCGQWzKsIuj7MVCH9N8zxjcIbTLhp3myCHay0R28OCdd2aBK1Nip02kGjSwMmorT54TM7NQu_HyNV7zRP5n8EDIhhkVV82gSUYRbVlAS0kDu5gQabs4J5mfz8YWdIs3bQm0/w640-h264/Lloyd%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>This happened to be my third visit to Lloyd parkrun, but my first during the summer months. The other two were in November <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2012/11/lloyd-parkrun-event-109.html" target="_blank">2012</a> and on New Year's Day in <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/01/new-years-day-parkrunning-2014.html" target="_blank">2014</a>. The meeting point, start and finish are all located on the grass adjacent to the car park. Shortly before 9am there is a first-timers briefing, and the main briefing takes place once everybody has assembled on the start line. On this particular occasion the tail walker had pulled out at the very last minute and the day's run director, the legendary Debra Bourne, put out a start-line plea for a replacement during the briefing. A call that I was more than happy to answer, so I ended up as the tail walker.</div><div><br /></div><div>The course is a two-lap anti-clockwise route which takes in the whole of the western and central areas of the park. Underfoot is primarily off-road containing a mixture of grass and dirt paths with plenty of tree roots (the dirt paths turn to mud in the winter), but there's also a section on a tarmac path which I don't think was there when I previously visited. Overall this is best described as a cross-country course. Although the majority of the course is relatively flat, there are also some hills to contend with. As far as footwear is concerned I always wear trail shoes here, even in the summer. For those that prefer road shoes, it's best to visit during the summer months when the course is bone dry, but when the mud appears trail shoes are a must.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOAmAFRi9-CvfhW3PjwytecEggicU9l7RWWpP3PCwpAx41At16RyuOjTssvF_xgmB8Iqn9fW7B6hCBUFYOxAjMPgq0_MKz93HGzGsivbAQM2balzShOLGJpQVAd82lK9yO4e0KxS60bSvNrYqIXgbWyUDB5liqnkDdJpwo64cqPkiMW7tA_DYVnSaTOU/s3264/Lloyd%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1342" data-original-width="3264" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOAmAFRi9-CvfhW3PjwytecEggicU9l7RWWpP3PCwpAx41At16RyuOjTssvF_xgmB8Iqn9fW7B6hCBUFYOxAjMPgq0_MKz93HGzGsivbAQM2balzShOLGJpQVAd82lK9yO4e0KxS60bSvNrYqIXgbWyUDB5liqnkDdJpwo64cqPkiMW7tA_DYVnSaTOU/w640-h264/Lloyd%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>From the start the participants head east past the cafe building and follow the arrows and cones around the south side of the open grass field, for a brief moment alongside the tram line. At the end of the field the course heads into the trees where there is quite a small but steep slope to negotiate. It has tree roots running through it, so care is required to navigate it safely, especially on the first lap when the path is likely to be congested.</div><div><br /></div><div>The surface underfoot changes to dirt at this point and the course follows the well-trodden path as it meanders through a very pleasant lightly wooded area, where you may spot the occasional disc golf basket. The first marshal is reached at around 800 metres into the course. Incidentally, the entire route is very well marked out with arrows, and I think the organising team deserves credit for maintaining this attention to detail.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHmUvWl-KoI2hayjRwnQ194DJMcYz6ruFKrgj3upu9cI-rV9Bq65SMbb02ab-qenEB4de7vG7T-WZDwXHC1tmdsfLyv0luU_Dj1f72nByiTodRak7wQUcLQVv7a5hDYN0N-X4afk1S7piBuc7xrtxLMUK7QZSGZPW84QpwlMB5c-5BoB1MwC3rsSdBDM/s3264/Lloyd%205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1599" data-original-width="3264" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHmUvWl-KoI2hayjRwnQ194DJMcYz6ruFKrgj3upu9cI-rV9Bq65SMbb02ab-qenEB4de7vG7T-WZDwXHC1tmdsfLyv0luU_Dj1f72nByiTodRak7wQUcLQVv7a5hDYN0N-X4afk1S7piBuc7xrtxLMUK7QZSGZPW84QpwlMB5c-5BoB1MwC3rsSdBDM/w640-h314/Lloyd%205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>After heading down a short, sharp decline the next part of the course involves tackling three of the four sides of the open field which depending on time of year may contain long wild grass in the central area. The next marshal point at 1.3km marks the start of the route's significant incline. It starts within a small wooded section with many tree roots and stones. This is where it is at its steepest - my Garmin registered the maximum incline as a 11.4% grade. The good news is that the incline tapers off as it progresses before finally flattening out at around the 1.5km mark.</div><div><br /></div><div>The high point of the course features an out-and-back style section, again this area has long grasses in the central area during the summer. The out and back takes the participants to the most northerly point on the course, please note that although I've said it's an out-and-back section, the out and back paths are separated by the central grassy area. The view to the west is very nice from up here. The return section follows the same hill profile as the previous incline, but in reverse. So the decline gets progressively steeper as it descends, and the last bit features more tree roots as it goes through a different wooded section. Helpfully, in true cross-country style, all the tree roots around the course were marked with pink spray paint.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMn5-28yaFCbmiayrt2Y7nsVEZwyHlmwnVaSnCM6kW0-PSZQTDQD6symj1YulqtPJeiL4HMkMqu44VdEg9eVyqgS4X5v4nfOsMBYj1BYxiggT1ADEtmfZncQ9aXh-vPcJC15XtUQAvrwiB6z-JQchHhdfIE4XLORz7F4ceekrDDwo4dTsUrQSQy5Pm2W4/s3264/Lloyd%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1599" data-original-width="3264" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMn5-28yaFCbmiayrt2Y7nsVEZwyHlmwnVaSnCM6kW0-PSZQTDQD6symj1YulqtPJeiL4HMkMqu44VdEg9eVyqgS4X5v4nfOsMBYj1BYxiggT1ADEtmfZncQ9aXh-vPcJC15XtUQAvrwiB6z-JQchHhdfIE4XLORz7F4ceekrDDwo4dTsUrQSQy5Pm2W4/w640-h314/Lloyd%206.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>At this point, the course emerges on the far side of the open grass playing field and the remaining part of the lap involves following the perimeter path around these fields which changes between dirt path, a tarmac path which passes around the far side of the bowling green before changing back to grass and dirt paths. The participants have now reached the half-way point which is back at the original start area.</div><div><br /></div><div>The lap is now simply completed a second time and the finish funnel can be entered upon completion of that second lap. Barcode scanning takes place right after the finish and the on-site cafe, called <a href="http://lloydsparkcafe.co.uk/" target="_blank">Lloyd's Park Cafe</a> is the place to head to for post-parkrun refreshments. We found the menu to be fairly extensive and on balance pretty reasonably priced.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmliCOrftpWBw1NNg0arT8wnWVotp4p8OLbHAex3NWgXbBoRNlmJ2HBlnjOliwrtmHZ67fAs-3wClEZhJAVIodsPXqc74Tovoyx6eTpOON9QrHJBwxDQklucEfeAcGN3vQS8tuWbJfZ0Gm1dV-CtPN4y6E_rhszoIOR8M6XCgZifQxxNKEwXpVjrEBcjY/s3264/Lloyd%207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1599" data-original-width="3264" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmliCOrftpWBw1NNg0arT8wnWVotp4p8OLbHAex3NWgXbBoRNlmJ2HBlnjOliwrtmHZ67fAs-3wClEZhJAVIodsPXqc74Tovoyx6eTpOON9QrHJBwxDQklucEfeAcGN3vQS8tuWbJfZ0Gm1dV-CtPN4y6E_rhszoIOR8M6XCgZifQxxNKEwXpVjrEBcjY/w640-h314/Lloyd%207.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>As always I had used my Garmin to record the route and the <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/9498312540" target="_blank">GPS data can be viewed on Strava</a>. I used the GPS data to create a <a href="https://youtu.be/SO4eupiJx50" target="_blank">Relive course fly-by video</a> that can be viewed on YouTube. The results for event 611 were published a few hours later and 220 participants completed the course. This was around the figure to be expected at this venue at this time of year. During the winter, the number of participants seems to drop into the mid-100's. This is not surprising as Lloyd parkrun is widely regarded as one of London's toughest courses, especially during the winter. Both of my previous visits had been in the winter and I can confirm that it is a tough one. I remember the main incline being so muddy that I could barely get any traction, even with trail shoes. I've always been a bit of a fan of that, so I really enjoyed it.</div><div><br /></div><div>I should also mention that as the tail walker, I had the opportunity to be involved in the course clear down process. I was so impressed by the way this process has been developed. At the end of my first lap I was given an empty bag to collect signs, and essentially I swapped my full bag for an empty bag each time I reached a marshal. It seemed to work beautifully, and I just hope I didn't miss any!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRsqwX6xg5sOSQgoCMYDcDXhtFUb8Srq9MvBzWGOhGgc7IScbRWm4kyT9uN43eviBJ3PXfKflQtG7FelmiYY5qvoL4cNqiN0mF2B0xSVYECf0i-RjKImWTXZwD6FFVooB3Sh8mKx5FEttA9X02T3UOQIMVe6r0QiWWgooA0rOYJ2ua9k6WvMekzDGSqo8/s3264/Lloyd%208.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1857" data-original-width="3264" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRsqwX6xg5sOSQgoCMYDcDXhtFUb8Srq9MvBzWGOhGgc7IScbRWm4kyT9uN43eviBJ3PXfKflQtG7FelmiYY5qvoL4cNqiN0mF2B0xSVYECf0i-RjKImWTXZwD6FFVooB3Sh8mKx5FEttA9X02T3UOQIMVe6r0QiWWgooA0rOYJ2ua9k6WvMekzDGSqo8/w640-h364/Lloyd%208.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>It was such a brilliant morning and the park is actually very picturesque. Well worth a visit, but if the difficulty of the hills is a worry, schedule the visit for the summer where you'll be treated to a slightly less brutal version of the experience. Finally, a big thank you to all the volunteers.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Related Links:</b></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/9498312540" target="_blank">GPS data of the course</a> (22 July 2023)</div><div><a href="https://youtu.be/SO4eupiJx50" target="_blank">Relive course fly-by video</a> (22 July 2023)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2012/11/lloyd-parkrun-event-109.html" target="_blank">My first visit blog</a> (November 2012)</div><div><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/01/new-years-day-parkrunning-2014.html" target="_blank">My second visit blog</a> (New Years Day 2014)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-london-parkruns.html" target="_blank">The London parkrun venues</a> (blog7t page)</div><div><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/03/the-surrey-parkrun-venues.html" target="_blank">The Surrey parkrun venues</a> (blog7t page)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/lloyd/news/2023/07/27/lucky-again-with-the-weather-lloyd-parkrun-report-611-by-aidan-dixon/" target="_blank">Lloyd parkrun report for event 611</a> (Lloyd parkrun news page)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>copy7thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07869260780729697873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8778671273358983652.post-73966996427068661912023-07-22T21:43:00.001+01:002024-01-13T09:49:11.204+00:00Lullingstone parkrun<div><div><div>Lullingstone is a village in <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-kent-parkruns.html">Kent</a> which is thought to have been occupied since the Iron Age. There is evidence of two farmsteads dating back to 20AD and 65AD with the name 'Lulling's Tun' (Lulling's Farm), which is of course the origin of the present-day name and my understanding is that is how it should be pronounced. In 1939 a <a href="http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/lullingstone-roman-villa/">Roman Villa</a> was discovered; this is thought to have been built in 100AD and contains some of the finest excavated remains of a Roman villa in Britain. During World War Two Lullingstone was the location for one of the country's decoy airfield sites, known as a Q-Site. I hear there are some bomb craters along the course, but I've never managed to spot them.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB1d_F8qxz-JONm66X4_Sjsjky9ul_jSorlBEpH5xba-QlEIKohalXHDeF1gRqJo3sc3k6SFeThU8rTKppKJjlSA0_wO_EEAeoDfYs8CRBxzMIllr5hq4tt3o94mhYfbts5Cgw0ccWVA7nwRLEG4rL45ZNbSVIIJyKSGN17mDbDkPiUxV9j-En4pJuPeU/s3264/Lullingstone%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1865" data-original-width="3264" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB1d_F8qxz-JONm66X4_Sjsjky9ul_jSorlBEpH5xba-QlEIKohalXHDeF1gRqJo3sc3k6SFeThU8rTKppKJjlSA0_wO_EEAeoDfYs8CRBxzMIllr5hq4tt3o94mhYfbts5Cgw0ccWVA7nwRLEG4rL45ZNbSVIIJyKSGN17mDbDkPiUxV9j-En4pJuPeU/w640-h366/Lullingstone%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Probably the most famous landmark in the village, <a href="http://www.lullingstonecastle.co.uk/">Lullingstone Castle</a> features a Gatehouse and a Manor House dating back to 1497. It is home to the Hart Dyke family who are descendants of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_III_of_England">King Edward III of England</a>. Henry VIII was a frequent visitor to the manor house. The castle was once home to the Lullingstone Silk Farm which produced the silk used in Queen Elizabeth II's coronation gown and wedding dress. The estate grounds were once a medieval deer park and covered a much larger area than they do today, but in 1937 the majority of the grounds were sold off. That land now forms <a href="http://www.kent.gov.uk/leisure-and-community/parks-and-outdoor-activities/lullingstone-country-park">Lullingstone Country Park</a>.<div><br /></div><div>The country park covers 460 acres within the North Downs Area of Natural Beauty and is internationally important for its collection of ancient trees some of which are over 500 years old. However, it's not all woodland; the park also features a golf course and large areas of meadowland which are home to orchids, wildflowers and butterflies. The River Darent flows along the eastern border of the park and feeds into the ponds and lake. Here you may spot Kingfisher, Herons, Dragonflies and even the odd grass snake. In 2022 the country park became one of 70 woodland areas that came together to celebrate 70 years of Her Majesty's service, and it became part of The Queen's Green Canopy.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyF_tszEqtPmtJLLCt_1dVjT2k5pu1G-CYxx3lqwW63zZISFPuHjWW7bK6g5XRUKCi4d6kBXGffHMqB57me4TtLbsz3PMVo36P6IVa83HtYJZi1f16qqlcg-DH9JZ9lucW8rQnEsT82inR_OOke8u_bx7mfNVCUPc-M_4QMhx6PTM5bG9j9nooCCUrWoo/s3264/Lullingstone%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1661" data-original-width="3264" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyF_tszEqtPmtJLLCt_1dVjT2k5pu1G-CYxx3lqwW63zZISFPuHjWW7bK6g5XRUKCi4d6kBXGffHMqB57me4TtLbsz3PMVo36P6IVa83HtYJZi1f16qqlcg-DH9JZ9lucW8rQnEsT82inR_OOke8u_bx7mfNVCUPc-M_4QMhx6PTM5bG9j9nooCCUrWoo/w640-h326/Lullingstone%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>On 11 April 2015 the country park became home to a free, weekly, timed 5k event called <a href="http://www.parkrun.org.uk/lullingstone/">Lullingstone parkrun</a>. As with all parkruns it is open to all abilities where walking is also warmly welcomed. I first visited the venue in April 2016 where it became the 100th different event I had visited. I subsequently revisited in 2017, 2018 and again in 2023. It was my most recent visit that prompted me to give this original write-up a bit of a refresh.</div><div><br /></div><div>This venue is fairly rural and is most-easily reached by vehicle. There is an onsite car park which although not huge, can easily accommodate the vehicles present for this parkrun. The current 2023 parking charge is a flat £3.50 fee on weekends (£2.50 on weekdays). There is an onsite machine which takes cash or contactless payments. It is also possible to pay via Park Buddy, Pay By Phone, or RingGo apps. The apps charge a little extra as a booking fee. Please note that the mobile signal in the car park is virtually non-existent, so if paying by app you may have to remember to do it later in the day; you have up until 23:59 to pay. There are some bicycle racks in the car park just outside the visitor centre.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim7iNaFCJRQzWgtjtjx_MhcEPmNpKO1UV_sDcdfKH3UFOjBmkNXeBnN9UtM6a6KauhqTKwDwxB_GFoX14b3ISLLGVLSBZXIP_QDKHRITqoTSJMczbVgTixqitoA2DtMFgpP-7knXIszOyesSUfHxQ0XpW0wvUphvCPhbjLBdaBDibCHuxkZZyJt7S94BA/s3264/Lullingstone%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1661" data-original-width="3264" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim7iNaFCJRQzWgtjtjx_MhcEPmNpKO1UV_sDcdfKH3UFOjBmkNXeBnN9UtM6a6KauhqTKwDwxB_GFoX14b3ISLLGVLSBZXIP_QDKHRITqoTSJMczbVgTixqitoA2DtMFgpP-7knXIszOyesSUfHxQ0XpW0wvUphvCPhbjLBdaBDibCHuxkZZyJt7S94BA/w640-h326/Lullingstone%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Anyone travelling to the venue by national rail train will need to head to Eynsford Station and travel the rest of the way on foot. The surrounding area is fairly undulating so be prepared for an uphill walk along the main road followed by a downhill section on a narrow country lane covering 1.1 miles in total. Once at the venue, there is a visitor centre which opens at 9am, however there is a special arrangement in place which means the toilets are open from 8am. Keep an eye out for the teeny tiny sinks in the toilets. For the record I am not aware of any bus services that run to Lullingstone.</div><div><br /></div><div>The parkrun itself takes place over two laps which are almost entirely within the country park, and the terrain is completely off-road. Underfoot is mostly grass, but there are also sections on dirt paths. Some parts of the route feature a slight camber, and there are some parts with stones, flint or tree roots to negotiate. With all that in mind, trail shoes are a must during the colder, wetter times of the year, but I would still recommend them all year round. It's not likely to be most people's first choice for a spot of buggy running, but if you are determined you will get around.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNLydQwXlwucYfDcPvqfZpQqddEZvkUv0II_HbZGaFADNoWe8kZ_zVU1NbpQkf2tMfO-VxHQ9qxu4XPqFIZKShcapq5OYiwI0l4CV51SpoKQnIELDoQKzzsy97KAKmLBNS46Nkf39IHO5e_9LxGCzcl-yNNCAwLJ9et1cjsPLfmGipeiuXyyCKLJH-3I/s3264/Lullingstone%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1661" data-original-width="3264" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNLydQwXlwucYfDcPvqfZpQqddEZvkUv0II_HbZGaFADNoWe8kZ_zVU1NbpQkf2tMfO-VxHQ9qxu4XPqFIZKShcapq5OYiwI0l4CV51SpoKQnIELDoQKzzsy97KAKmLBNS46Nkf39IHO5e_9LxGCzcl-yNNCAwLJ9et1cjsPLfmGipeiuXyyCKLJH-3I/w640-h326/Lullingstone%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The meeting point, start and finish are all in the same position. This is half-way up the hill as you exit the car park into the country park. In the summer there will most likely be long grass and wildflowers here, but there are paths leading upwards on both the left and right hand sides. Both the briefings take place at the meeting point, and at 9am the event gets underway. The lap starts off with a fairly tough, winding, uphill first kilometre which takes in 'Gabe's Hill' and eventually leads to Beechen Wood where if you take a glance to your left there are stunning views across back towards the start area and beyond. If visiting in June or July keep an eye out for the lavender fields which add a lovely blast of purple to the vista.</div><div><br /></div><div>Once inside the wood, the grass paths turn to dirt and the course continues to rise. In the winter these paths are likely to be fairly muddy. There are also embedded stones and tree roots to look out for. The highest point of the course is found within the woods, where there is also a marshal, and the route immediately begins to head downhill. A few hundred metres later, the route exits the wood via a gate, and the view from this point is fantastic. The course now partly heads back down the same grass path that was used on the way up. Keep left along here as it is two-way. It splits from the main uphill part shortly after and heads off to the left.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMAE7d962sQZNk5t7ZRiJ4gfonbIX_JIfZB21nntmzG63YGTlCLZmmmOAGeaQU3Vrb8HFg0ixK0eIhfgBeZge06XQsYKQ6e8D4jwuH-kTiPMDT2sCKslnsiPdGVU-taWJGySGIODhs9EFJTaEVZBsXGvxXmhnfrWM8cgAVuaJm71FagZCkqtwf1vlCJQ/s3264/Lullingstone%205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1911" data-original-width="3264" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMAE7d962sQZNk5t7ZRiJ4gfonbIX_JIfZB21nntmzG63YGTlCLZmmmOAGeaQU3Vrb8HFg0ixK0eIhfgBeZge06XQsYKQ6e8D4jwuH-kTiPMDT2sCKslnsiPdGVU-taWJGySGIODhs9EFJTaEVZBsXGvxXmhnfrWM8cgAVuaJm71FagZCkqtwf1vlCJQ/w640-h374/Lullingstone%205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The next section is an out and back where at the end the participants have a u-turn to negotiate at the end. Keep an eye out for the stunning red-bricked gatehouse to Lullingstone Castle. Incidentally the end of this section is run on land that belongs to the Hart Dyke family, but they have kindly granted permission for the parkrun to use it. With the out-and-back complete, the course passes through 'Ankle Breakers Alley' and at the end bears right to begin the second lap. At the end of lap 2, the parkrunners and parkwalkers head straight on at the end of the alley and follow the start tail back to what is now the finish. Most of this last section is also part of the Darent Valley 10k course which I ran in <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/04/darent-valley-10k-2014.html">2014</a>, <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2015/04/darent-valley-10k-2015.html">2015</a> and again the day after visiting Lullingstone parkrun in <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2016/04/darent-valley-10k-2016.html">2016</a>, then again in <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2017/05/darent-valley-10k-2017.html">2017</a> and <a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2018/05/darent-valley-10k-2018.html">2018</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Barcode scanning takes place right next to the finish and once all of the participants, the tail walker and the marshals have returned, everyone moves onto the post-event social in the on-site cafe next to the car park. I've been to the cafe a number of times over the years and always been happy with the food and drink options on offer. I remember once having a very nice homemade soup for lunch when I stopped here during a bike ride a few years ago. There are also a few children's play areas dotted around.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7RDh5JifqSypa1LUWlGgVysAyXm1MoWl9WHgEEJUm5I3daOQ5St6azQAr8ok8DgT4op2L3pshrSIHP1lLuYOYxMobj6x1fY-UTXpJNvWzajCZHkv3FCey5LIw2RfuVQcf05GHXAlOMOV_Na0utLMq2O6TCANPPyEvHXb5vYiPVT3OmbHBM6NUOUAW7g/s3264/Lullingstone%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1342" data-original-width="3264" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7RDh5JifqSypa1LUWlGgVysAyXm1MoWl9WHgEEJUm5I3daOQ5St6azQAr8ok8DgT4op2L3pshrSIHP1lLuYOYxMobj6x1fY-UTXpJNvWzajCZHkv3FCey5LIw2RfuVQcf05GHXAlOMOV_Na0utLMq2O6TCANPPyEvHXb5vYiPVT3OmbHBM6NUOUAW7g/w640-h264/Lullingstone%206.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>For an extended day out, there are options to go for a lovely walk through the picturesque countryside or along the river which will take you towards <a href="https://www.lullingstonecastle.co.uk/" target="_blank">Lullingstone Castle</a>. Walking a little further, visiting the <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/lullingstone-roman-villa/" target="_blank">Lullingstone Roman Villa</a> remains is a must, and the 'picture postcard' village of Eynsford is a lovely spot to spend some time, make sure to check out the ruins of Eynsford Castle. I should also give a mention to <a href="https://www.eagleheights.co.uk/" target="_blank">Eagle Heights</a>, which is a Bird of Prey centre and to Eynsford Viaduct (also known as Lullingstone Viaduct). During June and July <a href="https://www.castlefarmkent.co.uk/" target="_blank">Castle Farm</a> run a series of sessions / tours where you can visit their lavender fields. These have to be booked in advance as they are very popular. Incidentally Castle Farm was also used as a location for scenes in the 2024 film The Beekeeper.</div><div><br /></div><div>As always, I recorded the course using my Garmin, so if you'd like to check the hill profile etc you can find <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/9454520739">my 2023 GPS data here</a>. For the record, the course has been identical every time I have visited, so any of my other Lullingstone parkrun gpx files would show the same.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEils6Ig50png-e5WgIaB0JhLBEOgyddprsLIUly22HN6VrzgoyU1_flcqgaNcLd5OoFlKawjpxdMU1dGzOKV0sAyLYvv4MtrSXxKmXp5K-zlJv54ysMqx01odOhDyeXiP9NCi2BzOi6jM2zDzslmlzC5CCSQGiecSzTywhZlKtmsEV-iZjvGJJVsKZicsQ/s3264/Lullingstone%207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1342" data-original-width="3264" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEils6Ig50png-e5WgIaB0JhLBEOgyddprsLIUly22HN6VrzgoyU1_flcqgaNcLd5OoFlKawjpxdMU1dGzOKV0sAyLYvv4MtrSXxKmXp5K-zlJv54ysMqx01odOhDyeXiP9NCi2BzOi6jM2zDzslmlzC5CCSQGiecSzTywhZlKtmsEV-iZjvGJJVsKZicsQ/w640-h264/Lullingstone%207.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>As of 2023, I understand Lullingstone parkrun is the 16th hilliest in the country. I would imagine that status is partly responsible for keeping attendances on the low side here. On a regular parkrunday, you can expect to find between 40 and 80 participants here. In the 359 events that have taken place only eight of them have featured an attendance of over 100. Don't let that put you off, it is a lovely place to have a parkrun, I just suspect most people prefer to stick to flatter and easier to reach venues. Lastly, a massive thanks goes to all the volunteers who make this great event possible every week.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Links:</b><br /><br /><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/9454520739">GPS course data</a> (2023 visit)<br /><a href="https://youtu.be/7hfyM3mcoy0">Relive course fly-by video</a><br /><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-kent-parkruns.html">The Kent parkrun venues</a> (blog7t page)<div><br /></div></div></div><div><br /></div></div>
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copy7thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07869260780729697873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8778671273358983652.post-11142034907429248332023-07-02T19:19:00.002+01:002023-07-02T19:19:24.460+01:00Nonsuch parkrunOver a thousand years ago, a village called Codintone (which would later become Cuddington) stood in part of the area which is now Nonsuch Park, Surrey. In the 1086 Domesday Book, the village was recorded as having a total of 28 households. There was also a mansion, a church and farmland. Then along came King Henry VIII, who, in 1538, bought the Manor and demolished the entire village to make way for his brand new royal palace.<br /><br />The palace was designed to be a celebration of power and it is said that it was the grandest of all of his 55 palaces. In fact it was built to rival France's Francis I's Chateux de Chambord, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A quote in Old English, attributed to King Henry himself, says 'there is nonsuch place to rival its beauty and magnificence' and so it was named Nonsuch Palace to emphasise just how grand it was. The word Nonsuch is variant of Nonesuch, meaning 'a place or thing without equal'. My understanding is that it should be pronounced 'none such' <span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #404040;">(nŭn′sŭch′)</span>.<div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0Sef1PeNigNWM4ULpOi7bxCf8P3_mAywGYrbBmPZbZVRpTQ7Jg5HC22EVrzzXTzPBie1GhpJM5M27JtMF2_pgSp0RaAc3WA89mCgb3JXWofsegSa7kEWHKVltOKHVpyNnbniB-bcprONvfXD_A8F38fpvniaTXR381PnhfwG5uGXTlYkYdCbpbttHZw/s3264/Nonsuch%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1696" data-original-width="3264" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0Sef1PeNigNWM4ULpOi7bxCf8P3_mAywGYrbBmPZbZVRpTQ7Jg5HC22EVrzzXTzPBie1GhpJM5M27JtMF2_pgSp0RaAc3WA89mCgb3JXWofsegSa7kEWHKVltOKHVpyNnbniB-bcprONvfXD_A8F38fpvniaTXR381PnhfwG5uGXTlYkYdCbpbttHZw/w640-h332/Nonsuch%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>King Henry visited the unfinished palace three times before he died, so never got to see it fully completed. It was subsequently sold by the royal family, but returned to the crown a few years later where it remained a royal residence until 1670. Baroness Nonsuch (Barbara Villiers) was the final owner of the palace, but by 1682 the once magnificent palace had been demolished with the fixtures and fittings, stone, and lead roof sold off to pay off her gambling debts.<br /><br />In 1731 a new house called Nonsuch Mansion was built a few hundred metres to the north-east of where the palace once stood, possibly on the site of an old Keeper's Lodge. From what I hear, the mansion wasn't particularly pleasing to the eye, so in the early 1800s it was rebuilt in a Tudor Gothic style which mimics elements of the King's palace. There is even a stone from Henry's palace built into the north porch. This mansion and the surrounding land was sold to the local authorities in 1937 to protect it from development. The mansion still stands and is now used for events such as weddings and can also be hired for filming and photography shoots.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRW0aIctO9urcnx2ECqodKLFX1jyqtm5E970HcvsrsuV_hxCLJNAKT6n5Rmx2gch0jDdhER1rr9qqLwk_hgAEMmYDuzP0VcgK0bNnkSPxS8fYOLGfkreul6UVMV640vrMOmMyvXT2j0FmPZPN2MQlrESAyPKxzHIM6APYeh2A5zV-5xXHc6DofJJB6m7I/s3264/Nonsuch%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1696" data-original-width="3264" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRW0aIctO9urcnx2ECqodKLFX1jyqtm5E970HcvsrsuV_hxCLJNAKT6n5Rmx2gch0jDdhER1rr9qqLwk_hgAEMmYDuzP0VcgK0bNnkSPxS8fYOLGfkreul6UVMV640vrMOmMyvXT2j0FmPZPN2MQlrESAyPKxzHIM6APYeh2A5zV-5xXHc6DofJJB6m7I/w640-h332/Nonsuch%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The surrounding 120 hectares of parkland were officially opened as Nonsuch Park on Wednesday 29 September 1937. Even after this opening, part of the park continued to be used for grazing animals and growing crops. In 1959 excavations of the old palace (<a href="https://youtu.be/w_rttjY-MTs" target="_blank">Pathe News video</a>) took place and the layout of the building is now marked by three stone obelisks. The modern-day park is rich in wildlife and is managed by the Nonsuch Park Joint Management Committee, which is comprised of both Epsom and Ewell Borough Council, and Sutton Council.</div><div><br /></div><div>On 17 September 2011, the park became home to <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/nonsuch/" target="_blank">Nonsuch parkrun</a>. We first visited this venue on Tuesday 5th June 2012 (<a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/nonsuch/results/40/" target="_blank">event 40</a>) which was actually a special event in celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. We revisited on 1 July 2023 to take part in event number 539. If travelling by public transport Cheam looks to be the closest train station and this is served by Southern trains. However if travelling on South Western Railways, West Ewell can be used as an alternative. There are also buses that pass close to the venue, options include numbers 293 and 668 which stop to the west of the park, or the 470 which stops near Cheam.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ycVE6PKVz0NLxP_9UDxKHmonnaFG90iW9lQyTb9Ogt1-tAB_93VXGizC7WTlkXcVZAcK1ww5HeuTCSFZbnW_ReEA-jj61t_HxRElaCIHFftmgRfedgujfc5iR0mTIUXkP9noqOTDQZUo27m3fbsQfpjnNOukoV8PPidfWJ-S-bZ9hTg41aQnv1Llyh4/s3264/Nonsuch%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1596" data-original-width="3264" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ycVE6PKVz0NLxP_9UDxKHmonnaFG90iW9lQyTb9Ogt1-tAB_93VXGizC7WTlkXcVZAcK1ww5HeuTCSFZbnW_ReEA-jj61t_HxRElaCIHFftmgRfedgujfc5iR0mTIUXkP9noqOTDQZUo27m3fbsQfpjnNOukoV8PPidfWJ-S-bZ9hTg41aQnv1Llyh4/w640-h312/Nonsuch%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>If driving, there are multiple free-of-charge car parks within the grounds that can be used. There are two which are accessed from London Road (A24) and another two which can be accessed from Ewell Road (A232) - all of these are located on the park's boundary. The main point to note regarding car parks is that parkrunners must not park in the main car park in the centre of the park, this is for visitors to the mansion only. It is also worth noting that this venue attracts a high number of parkrunners, so there is quite a high demand for parking spaces. If travelling by bicycle there are permanent bicycle racks located in some of the car parks, and one next to the cafe at the mansion. However, on parkrunday a temporary rack is assembled at the parkrun meeting point.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are toilets located on the north side of the mansion building. The main assembly point is to the north-west of the mansion. The first timers briefing takes place here (it was done twice during our visit), and the main briefing took place at the start line which is about 200 metres along the path to the south. Nonsuch parkrun has traditionally used its regular 2-lap course during the summer months and a 3-lap course during the winter months. However, as of 27 May 2023 a new course has been introduced, and it is hoped that this will remain in place all year round, negating the need to change during the winter. I have GPS data and Relive videos for all three courses, please see links at the bottom of the page. There is more information regarding the course change on this <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/nonsuch/news/2023/05/26/new-course-27-5-2023/" target="_blank">Nonsuch parkrun News report</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihkYcnnwoCj9LdmnfsGiZB-KQB0skizr9_9XSFa5iHJ6PrmAhv1DjOa6ag1BQq6NTUKR8SLKrBnMlMp_tNusF-hCkO4-w5bO0NBOy4H1tLv_ngBovZTDxRB3ZUpDFIpt9mWTSXcHxZ0Ogulpiwt6C8tEIYGx8EgEY-3FLsQzw1AriwTmzA-y_b9zUxvSY/s3264/Nonsuch%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1596" data-original-width="3264" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihkYcnnwoCj9LdmnfsGiZB-KQB0skizr9_9XSFa5iHJ6PrmAhv1DjOa6ag1BQq6NTUKR8SLKrBnMlMp_tNusF-hCkO4-w5bO0NBOy4H1tLv_ngBovZTDxRB3ZUpDFIpt9mWTSXcHxZ0Ogulpiwt6C8tEIYGx8EgEY-3FLsQzw1AriwTmzA-y_b9zUxvSY/w640-h312/Nonsuch%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The new course is just under two laps, which are run in a clockwise direction and the terrain is flat. The surface underfoot contains an almost 50-50 split of hard paths and grass/dirt paths. The course is fine for road shoes in the summer, but I'd imagine it would be beneficial to go for trail shoes in the winter. For the record buggy runners are fine on this course. I'll also mention that Nonsuch parkrun has a pacing event on the last Saturday of each month. Plus, and this was even more interesting, they also have monthly Jeffing pacers on the first Saturday of each month. If you haven't heard of it, Jeffing is a technique named after running coach Jeff Galloway, and is essentially a run/walk method of training. Check out this <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/nonsuch/news/2022/04/23/jeffing-pacers-nonsuch-parkrun/" target="_blank">Nonsuch parkrun news article</a> for some detailed info.</div><div><br /></div><div>The start is on a tarmac path just to the south-west of the mansion. The path itself is just a regular width and it is bordered by strips of short grass followed by longer grass and trees. Nonsuch parkrun is quite regularly the fourth largest attended venue in the UK (sixth largest on the day we visited), with attendance figures generally falling within the 600-800 window. With that in mind, many participants will spread onto the grass either side of the path, so expect some congestion to start off with. This initial path heads south until it reaches the southern border where a right hand turn takes the route onto The Avenue. Once the participants spread out the general rule is to stay to the left and anyone overtaking or lapping can do so on the right-hand-side.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz50LkG_cPBmn_oMKZOPcboMLYNvSN1NzNOKQ9iv7gma_ivx9fOx4fQ5BjyTFtsDOemLYmBtZxNLoQoq7aebdsCuDdnNBcXtCxD1EELisMX2KyEKMsl2UBqSn3b5fEJuccbUWYxnxq81XCKHGY7JRNZojC9aCJq_UhM3vqh-3MO9GZ4TZLFF7oagce5iU/s3264/Nonsuch%205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1596" data-original-width="3264" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz50LkG_cPBmn_oMKZOPcboMLYNvSN1NzNOKQ9iv7gma_ivx9fOx4fQ5BjyTFtsDOemLYmBtZxNLoQoq7aebdsCuDdnNBcXtCxD1EELisMX2KyEKMsl2UBqSn3b5fEJuccbUWYxnxq81XCKHGY7JRNZojC9aCJq_UhM3vqh-3MO9GZ4TZLFF7oagce5iU/w640-h312/Nonsuch%205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Once on The Avenue, the course continues on a hard surface path, but is within a line of trees so provides shade on hot days. Along this section of the course are two drain covers on the right hand side of the path which are raised to a significant height out of the ground, so care must be taken to avoid tripping on these. At the south-west corner of the course, the route follows the natural bend around to the right and the course passes right through the centre of where Nonsuch Palace (and before it Cuddington Church) would have stood. On the right hand side are three stone obelisks which mark where the walls would have been, including those of the Inner Gatehouse and Outer Gatehouse. Just after the last of the obelisks a marshal marks the spot where the course leaves the hard path and the surface changes to grass.</div><div><br /></div><div>The grass section follows well trodden walkways. To the sides the landscape is open, containing longer grasses and various rows and copses of trees. There are one or two marshals in place to guide the way so navigating shouldn't be a problem. A feature of the new course is a section which doubles back on itself and passes around a feature called round pond, which you probably won't even notice as it is surrounded by trees. At around this point there is a big tree in the middle of the path - on the first lap the participants pass to the left and continue until reaching the hard path, which meanders around to the start of the second lap. At the end of the second lap everyone keeps to the right, and this leads onwards to the finish line which is located on the grass in the same location as the meeting point.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-RJ7feCSBfVgTOB2IpeotlmZ9_P3y_GeiPaUdI6NWZ56dEYYvbelLX86VkgjkDxji0qoAiuFnbwvwvvaBjepoGjTGYJt9jkn1dzeL6C6Ajm84lrSKS8MngtiIvl4uBuV54a2OuqbfMFhrzY-ckWVxhgEpWbxeLFJoewQYRnVbHALxMhcGTAfT6hQlrM/s3264/Nonsuch%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1596" data-original-width="3264" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-RJ7feCSBfVgTOB2IpeotlmZ9_P3y_GeiPaUdI6NWZ56dEYYvbelLX86VkgjkDxji0qoAiuFnbwvwvvaBjepoGjTGYJt9jkn1dzeL6C6Ajm84lrSKS8MngtiIvl4uBuV54a2OuqbfMFhrzY-ckWVxhgEpWbxeLFJoewQYRnVbHALxMhcGTAfT6hQlrM/w640-h312/Nonsuch%206.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Being a large event, once crossing the finish line there is a very long, winding finish funnel to assist with keeping everything under control. The finishing tokens are given out at the very end of the funnel and the barcode scanners can be found lined up on the adjacent grass. The post-parkrun refreshments are in the park's cafe which is located back over at the mansion. The cafe has some indoor seating but the majority of seats are outside. The food options are largely based around sweet pastries, cakes and sausage rolls (meat and vegan), and they had the usual selection of cafe drinks available.</div><div><br /></div><div>I had recorded the course using my Garmin and <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/9366627828" target="_blank">the data can be viewed on my Strava</a> account. I also made a <a href="https://youtu.be/1UBFx-VoWSk" target="_blank">Relive course fly-by video</a> from the GPS data which can be viewed on YouTube. The <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/nonsuch/results/539/" target="_blank">results</a> were published shortly after and 652 people took part in event 539. This was towards the lower end of the current expected number of attendees, which as mentioned above is usually between 600 and 800.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHryxw1n4gfnj6Tw19lWSGiPyOTbG-FKlLV7-36h8IPSBoHz-Yj_8OTsDJkpdQmlpqDdLkKyzqZ_ljkwBrx92QGYTTkkE6FlGr9Om7JM2p-pFJumSawDpC9h2FjFU7ZTQY8Z-dPBDsXEpUZT1BrlPqkc2DL3SztJ52wR4lL70sh-ef6BUJgfq4tXWcyB4/s3264/Nonsuch%207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1947" data-original-width="3264" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHryxw1n4gfnj6Tw19lWSGiPyOTbG-FKlLV7-36h8IPSBoHz-Yj_8OTsDJkpdQmlpqDdLkKyzqZ_ljkwBrx92QGYTTkkE6FlGr9Om7JM2p-pFJumSawDpC9h2FjFU7ZTQY8Z-dPBDsXEpUZT1BrlPqkc2DL3SztJ52wR4lL70sh-ef6BUJgfq4tXWcyB4/w640-h382/Nonsuch%207.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Post event we spent some time exploring the formal garden area of the park which is very nice. Inside the mansion is a model of King Henry's palace, but sadly it is only open for viewing on Sundays, so we didn't get to see it (<a href="https://www.friendsofnonsuch.co.uk/nonsuch-palace-gallery/" target="_blank">there are some photos on the Friends of Nonsuch website</a>). Once we had finished looking around the garden, it was time to head home. Revisiting Nonsuch parkrun had been a great experience, so a big thanks goes to all those involved in putting it on.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>Related Links:</b></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/9366627828" target="_blank">My GPS data for the new 2023 regular course</a> (2023)</div><div><a href="https://youtu.be/1UBFx-VoWSk" target="_blank">Fly-by Video for the new 2023 regular course</a> (2023)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/8982145914" target="_blank">GPS data of the winter course</a> (2023)</div><div><a href="https://youtu.be/L5Qkw2eHG6M" target="_blank">Fly-by Video of the winter course</a> (2023)</div><div><br /></div><div><div><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/8995133194" target="_blank">My GPS data for the original regular course</a> (2012 data) No longer used</div><div><a href="https://youtu.be/-bvw_BwE9Cc" target="_blank">Fly-by Video of the original regular course</a> (made using 2012 data) No longer used</div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/02/the-london-parkruns.html" target="_blank">The London parkrun venues</a> (blog7t page)</div><div><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2014/03/the-surrey-parkrun-venues.html" target="_blank">The Surrey parkrun venues</a> (blog7t page)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.blog7t.com/2012/06/nonsuch-parkrun-forty-juneathon-day-5.html" target="_blank">Blog from my first visit in 2012</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://youtu.be/w_rttjY-MTs" target="_blank">Pathe News video of the 1959 excavations</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>copy7thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07869260780729697873noreply@blogger.com