Are Park Runs Destructive ?

Parkruns overseas! Managed several in Australia earlier this year and have now got one in the bag in the US at Durham, North Carolina. They've been a bit slow in getting these off the ground from a US point of view - the winner today was from Northern Ireland, a Welshman (me) was in third and a Scotsman (who organises parkruns in Eglington) was fourth) - to complete the circle today's organiser was an Englishman. And Mrs WH got round as well she has asked me to mention:cool:!

http://www.parkrun.us/durhamnc/results/latestresults/


Welsh Harrier

http://travellinglightatsixtyplus.blogspot.com/

Yes, like you say WH it is interesting noting the relatively slow traction of Parkrun in the USA (compared to UK & Oz). Do you think it lacks the ‘marketing’ or is it a ‘culture’ thing or maybe something else?

All three existing USA events; Clermont (Orlando), Durham (North Carolina), and Livonia (Detroit Michigan) have been going 18 months or more yet appear to have low uptake, often, like you point out boosted by Tourists / Brits to get into double digit number of runners. Your Durham run is a case in point. Clermont in August is also boosted, when the numbers only get ‘decent’ (approaching 100) due to the number of already converted Brits taking part whilst on summer holiday in Florida.
http://www.parkrun.us/clermontwaterf...unSeqNumber=56
http://www.parkrun.us/clermontwaterf...unSeqNumber=55

I did an 8-mile run around South Manchester (Platt Fields) yesterday (official run was called off at 9am due to ice, after a course inspection - a good call given the slippery conditions on some of the tarmac sections, especially at corners). In hindsight I should have gone to Marple (was run - no tarmac).

Quite odd that just a few miles away at the same time 468 runners paid $25 a head to run another 5K race!

Welsh Harrier
http://travellinglightatsixtyplus.blogspot.com/

Two parkruns in North Wales now Martin.
Penrhyn Castle is a brilliant venue and is getting well established.
Conwy starts on 10th January.

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Originally Posted by Swoop

Two parkruns in North Wales now Martin.
Penrhyn Castle is a brilliant venue and is getting well established.
Conwy starts on 10th January.

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They've been busy while we've been away haven't they! The one in Conwy has had a lot of input over the last few months from some of our clubmates at Denbigh Harriers, you'd be surprised at the amount of stuff that has to go on behind the scenes.

So..unlike you Swoop, I still haven't done one in Wales.

Welsh Harrier :cool:

http://travellinglightatsixtyplus.blogspot.com/

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Originally Posted by Welsh Harrier

They've been busy while we've been away haven't they! The one in Conwy has had a lot of input over the last few months from some of our clubmates at Denbigh Harriers, you'd be surprised at the amount of stuff that has to go on behind the scenes.

So..unlike you Swoop, I still haven't done one in Wales.

Welsh Harrier :cool:

http://travellinglightatsixtyplus.blogspot.com/

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Re US park runs.. I think lack of organisers.. when people organise they want money, the land owners want money.. it's hard dot organise any mass event for free..

We can use UK parks much easier than you can in the US..

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Originally Posted by IainR

the land owners want money.

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They want blood as well. Big country and there's lots of land but you can't run over much of it. I went down one remote trail in North Carolina that said 'no entry' and after 50 yards it said 'you are now within rifle range'! This is why they all go along the Appalachian Trail.

It varies a lot between states..

I was almost arrested for breaking into a state park in TX.. the trooper pulled out his gun to show me how he could have shot me, I stepped over a foot high metal bar to run down track...

I've also got a record in TX for breaking curfew.. running after dark in a park.. had to go to court for it.

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Originally Posted by IainR

It varies a lot between states..

I was almost arrested for breaking into a state park in TX.. the trooper pulled out his gun to show me how he could have shot me, I stepped over a foot high metal bar to run down track...

I've also got a record in TX for breaking curfew.. running after dark in a park.. had to go to court for it.

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Forgot to add.. You can't have a group of more than 10 on the AT.. Hence no races.. Even walking groups technically aren't allowed..

There's actually a few underground races I'm learning about along sections of old races since banned...

The west is much more open to new events and the NE is slowly changing.. But the conservation bodies like the AT totally oppose races, which is pity as the reason for the AT was to get people away from the cities to reconnect with nature..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by IainR

Forgot to add.. You can't have a group of more than 10 on the AT.. Hence no races.. Even walking groups technically aren't allowed..

There's actually a few underground races I'm learning about along sections of old races since banned...

The west is much more open to new events and the NE is slowly changing.. But the conservation bodies like the AT totally oppose races, which is pity as the reason for the AT was to get people away from the cities to reconnect with nature..

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Could set people off on the AT in groups of 10 I suppose! Going to try the Durham NC Parkrun again this weekend (couldn't make Michigan or Florida this time around)