Are Park Runs Destructive ?

[Alexandra]

Cor blimey, Platt Fields was wet this morning with ponds galore swallowing up whole shoes and at one point half a human. Nice to be back in front of the fire drying out.

I treasure the bit about half a human. Still making me smile days later.

[Alexandra]

Agree about Leeds being to busy. Last time I did it someone lost a shoe, someone else fell over and there was much pushing and shoving going on. Looking forward to trying Temple Newsam and I am going to try and get down forthe first run.

Yes, I hate the pushing & shoving, especially as I start well back. IMO there's no need for people HOPING to run 5k in 32 minutes elbowing each other. If we can't run fast, at least we could behave nicely. Anyway, at present the Leeds course is interrupted by 2 separate large lakes and numerous smaller streams, so PBs seem unlikely. I suppose REAL fell runners may welcome the chance to run in ankle deep water.

[OB1]

Why don't we all try it out on New Year's Day - unofficially of course?

For info - If your plan doesn't materialise, the Gloss Parkrun contingent may venture to Marple for NYD (10am start), with trail-to-fell footwear for the fields and riverbank. That was the chat in the pub last night. We are considering its potential for a 2013 counter in one of our four flavours of 2013 senior and vet champ series. Perhaps using the age-grade within the scoring too to spice things up across the age range.

[Swoop]

Don't think I will go to Marple. If you do, I would recommend fell shoes. I might give Huddersfield a go.
I am certainly not going to Platt fields, it was awful on Christmas Day.

[OB1]

Don't think I will go to Marple. If you do, I would recommend fell shoes. I might give Huddersfield a go.
I am certainly not going to Platt fields, it was awful on Christmas Day.

Indeed no Platt. I notice that Oldham (another favourite option for a dryish course, but not flat) are away at Hudders on NYD.
You never know we (Gloss car) might go Hudders. Enjoy, wherever.

[OB1]

There is a Gloss chariot being loaded with cakes for Huddersfield tomorrow.
Swoop, please bring bananas in the ADAC chariot.
Danbert, if going please bring pies.
:thumbup:

[nutkey]

Yes, I hate the pushing & shoving, especially as I start well back. IMO there's no need for people HOPING to run 5k in 32 minutes elbowing each other.

I've never elbowed or been elbowed (as opposed to tapping elbows to let people know I'm there) in a race apart from barging past a plonker in a spiderman suit who started on the front line of a 10K and didn't even have the decency to sprint the first 100m.

If we can't run fast, at least we could behave nicely. Anyway, at present the Leeds course is interrupted by 2 separate large lakes and numerous smaller streams, so PBs seem unlikely. I suppose REAL fell runners may welcome the chance to run in ankle deep water.

Well it makes it less congested, if everyone else runs round the puddles. I do remember a large puddle at a gate a few hundred metres from the finish of a Rab MM a couple of years ago. Some girl going round it, unfortunately I was in a tearing hurry and may have created a humungous splash

Last time the flood plain here was filled up, I did finish my run by going for a lap of it.

[Latege]

Yes, I hate the pushing & shoving, especially as I start well back. IMO there's no need for people HOPING to run 5k in 32 minutes elbowing each other. If we can't run fast, at least we could behave nicely. Anyway, at present the Leeds course is interrupted by 2 separate large lakes and numerous smaller streams, so PBs seem unlikely. I suppose REAL fell runners may welcome the chance to run in ankle deep water.

You need to come to Bolton! No shoving or elbowing here. Well, not that I've experienced anyway. I tend to start on the outside nearish the front, so maybe it's different if you're in the middle, but I've never heard any complaints. And only one small section underwater - and a fair few puddles.

[Multiterrainer]

Just seen on Facebook that Bushy Park parkrun had over 1000 runners today - scary or what?!!:w00t:

[Alexandra]

Just seen on Facebook that Bushy Park parkrun had over 1000 runners today - scary or what?!!:w00t:

Judging from the Parkrun Show podcast, to which I am addicted, that is normal for Bushy. Seems they are incredibly well organised to avoid long queues after the finish. I don't fancy it much myself but I suppose it would be good preparation for mass participation events like the London Marathon. I believe there are lots of alternative Parkruns in the vicinity with smaller fields.