For the final parkrun of 2025, some tourism was on the cards. Dad was free, as were Branka and Holly, and after finding that Harrow Lodge was a relatively straightforward journey before, we headed over to that area again, this time for Raphael parkrun.
(If you look on a map, Raphael, Harrow Lodge and Ingrebourne Hill are sort of stacked on top of each other, towards the east of the M25).
It was a frosty day, and after Dad picked me up at around 7:35 we arrived to park before 8:30. Holly and Branka arrived separately, confusingly in a car park with the same name as ours, but actually a different one (Lodge Farm- I am not sure which one we parked in as I pinned it on the map rather than using the postcode).
Our view as we entered the park- really pretty. I love seeing personalised marshal spots, and Rory let me know that Awtar was a regular volunteer who sadly passed away, so they have this corner to remember them.
We jogged to the toilets which were at the very opposite end of the park, which ended up being about a mile in total (plus waiting in the queue), so only just got back in time to hear the end of the first timers welcome and then people were lining up to start. Be aware if you are going as to their location! We did hear the main briefing which was very well listened to. I was very surprised to hear the park being pronounced as “Ray- fell” as I had been saying it like the turtle/artist.
It’s a very narrow start, so people were maybe just two abreast on the path, which meant it was quite stop-start when we did get going. This does not bother me at all but I think if you were going for a fast time you’d need to place yourself accordingly- I ran with Holly and it took us a bit of time overtaking walkers to settle in to our pace. As there are people lapping you and passing in the opposite direction you do need to be aware and keep to one side (I think they said to keep left but basically follow what they say).
It was a lovely park though with some variety as you ran around- the part by the lake was pretty, and you could see other points of the course which I always enjoy. You can see above how narrow it is though and how many times you are passing others. Dad ran ahead and Branka was a bit behind so we got to see each other on an out and back bit.
A beautiful day for running!
Once finished we got some pop up photos and then agreed to head to a Tesco (guaranteed toilets and a warm cafe) for some parkfaffing. I had a slight fail here, as I didn’t have the best phone reception, and ended up putting a different one in the maps so Dad and I arrived at a Tesco that had no cafe, oops. It had a Costa opposite so we warmed up in there while Branka and Holly went to the actual Tesco!
Anyway, despite the slight parkfaff fail on my part it was a fantastic way to round off 2025.
The before and after:
A very satisfying chunk of the map filled in. I shall now have to go to Ingrebourne Hill in 2026 to complete that set of 3.
Stats:
parkrun 433, and location 147. I had no idea I was that close to 150! A definite goal for 2026.
As this one counts towards Lon-done I have now completed 37 of 66 (currently). I’ve been hovering around that 50% mark but again will aim to do a few more next year and close in a bit on that.
