Author: Maria Runs

ARU Writtle parkrun

This was originally meant to be Branka’s 300th parkrun, but due to factors it was her 299th- we had still decided on that date to celebrate, so happy arbitrary 299th!

Branka drove to me, then I drove the remaining hour, and Holly met us there. Handily someone in the UK parkrun tourists facebook page had posted a pin to where the entrance to the car park was, and this was very useful as it is a university campus so I am not sure if all the roads were open on a Saturday. We turned in and saw the car park marshals directing us, and then saw Holly’s car- perfect!

There were toilets in a building by the car park (next to some huge greenhouses) and then clear signs to the start which was just on the other side of the car park.

Poddington and the pop up/ the start sign/ big greenhouses in the car park/ all three plus the pop up

We took our time taking some photos with the lovely wildflower background (it was a very scenic location for a pop up) and then listened to the first timers welcome where we found out it was their winter course as an event was being set up on the summer course. There was a tarpaulin of trust, so I left my bag there so I would have my water as soon as I finished (although it was very close so leaving things in the car would have been fine).

Off we go/ solo pop up pic

The RD did the briefing in the same place, and then walked everyone down to the start, asking people to seed themselves (faster runners to hang back so they’d end up at the front). Then we were off.

It was a hot day, and there was not much shade. I ran with Holly and we enjoyed the out and back nature of it, saying hi to Branka as we passed a few times. They asked us to keep left, and in a few places had small rubber circles on the floor to divide the two directions which everyone adhered to.

The views of the countryside were lovely, but we did have some farmyard smells (as there was a field full of cows that we ran past). I was surprised to see a few dogs out (on the parkrun) as there wasn’t much shade but also the terrain was mainly hard paths rather than softer (and cooler) grass.

Runners out ahead/ hi Branka/ views from the course

It was a bit of a shame that we didn’t get to do the summer course as running by a lake sounds cooler, even if it was just as warm. At the second turnaround point we both felt really warm, so I was glad of the final turn as we headed towards the finish. Holly put on a proper sprint as she noticed we were close to 30 mins (and she managed it bang on 30!) and I was very glad of my water being close to hand when I finished.

Turning/ Holly doing a sprint finish/ blurry token

The course- out and back twice, then a little way along the path back to where the pop up was:

Also how impressive is that pacing? The perfect royal flush negative split.

After finishing we couldn’t hang around for long, so after changing into a non-sweaty top it was back into the car for the drive home. There wasn’t a cafe there, so we would have had to drive into the village to see what was there.

Voronoi update:

A nice big chunk! That was parkrun 458 and location 160

So what next? Hopefully a parkrun on holiday so long as the weather cooperatives, and then perhaps some London tourism in the summer- tourism is much more appealing when you are getting up in the light. I also saw something about London transport being capped at a lower fare for the summer, so that’s something to look into.

Wanstead Flats parkrun

This had been my NENDY for a while, so it was good to finally visit, and it was a great option in the hot weather. Branka had suggested it earlier in the week, and as it was going to be my last parkrun with my dad for a while, I’d suggested it to him and he was very keen (although it was dependant on him getting home on the Friday without any train issues so it was going to be a last minute confirmation). Branka decided to head elsewhere in the end, but as Dad was keen and had the time we decided to still go there. We drove which wasn’t too bad- the traffic in the morning wasn’t too busy, although finding a parking space wasn’t too easy. I had pinned a car park but when we got there the gates were closed and it looked like a private one, so we had to hastily find another. We used the tiny Jubilee Pond Car Park on Lake House Road- at 8:40 ish when we arrived there were a few cars parked but still a few spaces, although it only took payment via Ringo, there was no way to pay at a machine at all which of course is always fun when the app signs you out and then makes you set a new password…

Anyway, the walk from the car park to the start was quite short, and so we arrived in enough time to visit the toilets (in the little changing room block at the start) and hear the first timers welcome (2 laps).

Poddington and the gigantic pop up/ the start area on the flats by the flats/ their token sorting table all ready/ pop up pic

We had somehow both worn our Ellenbrook Fields tops (unplanned) so we had a few people ask about our event and one person thought we had toured because it was not on today, rather than it sadly being cancelled. Lots of people had hung their bags on the fencing by the building, but others had left their bags in the building (it was very open at the front) so I did that so it wasn’t in the hot sun while we were running.

We got someone to take our photo by the sign (she asked us to stand closer together and we had to explain that we wanted the sign in the photo!) and then it was time for the main briefing. It was already so warm and we were glad to hear that the route went through woods as well as around the scrub land.

A few photos from the run- we are trying to keep in the shade where we can!

The route was two laps, it’s very flat but the ground was uneven in places, both with little divots in the grass but also with lots of tree roots in the wooded section (which we were warned about)- as it was so hot it was definitely a day to enjoy the route and not worry about a fast time. The section through the woods was so lovely and cool, and there were a few parts of the more exposed section that you could still be in the shade if you kept to the side. It reminded me a lot of Wormwood Scrubs – a more wild area rather than cultivated parkland. I can imagine that it would be quite muddy in the winter so a summer visit was definitely a good idea.

The route:

There was a little section where you passed runners heading back towards you but it was nice and wide so this wasn’t an issue.

A few more photos of the course- the shade was so good in the woods

It didn’t feel like too long before we were heading past the start/finish area ready to do the second lap. We spent some time pondering if it was called Wanstead Flats because of the flat land or because of the big blocks of flats right by the park…

And then we were heading into the finish. They had a long funnel set up but with about 270 participants it wasn’t busy when we finished.

A blurry token photo showing the flats in the background/ a final pop up picture/ the little building that housed the toilets and token sorting and bag storage.

We didn’t hang around too long at the end as we had to be aware of when the parking ran out (I really wish car parks just did pay when you leave as who knows how long you will be?), plus we were hoping to get back to see my brother for breakfast as well. However we noticed that in the little building they had a little self service tea and coffee station (a jar of coffee, paper cups etc) – lots of these older London events seem to have this sort of communal facilities at the end as there didn’t seem to be a cafe nearby. I really enjoyed it and would be happy to revisit.

Voronoi update:

A very satisfying update now I have filled in that little hole!

So that was parkrun 457 and location 159

Lon-done progress: 42/65 (64% complete)

Up next? A bit of touring to celebrate Branka’s 300th parkrun, and then hopefully a parkrun on holiday so long as the weather plays ball.

Welwyn 10k 2026

This has turned into one of my favourite races and this year didn’t disappoint. It’s a 10k that was originally located in Welwyn village, but in recent years has relocated to Panshanger Park. It was forecast to be very hot and that combined with the hilly route meant that it would be a definite run for fun race, rather than any sort of fast time attempt.

Parking was free until 12:00 which was a great touch, and it is one of those low key local races where you just pick up your number from a gazebo on the morning of the race. I got there at about 8:45 for the 9:30 start, and that was fine as there was no queue to get my number and I could take my time sorting it out (I packed my race clips so I could use those rather than safety pins), meet up with club mates and acclimatise to the heat. They had a tarpaulin of trust (just like at parkrun) so I left my rucksack there rather than in the car so I could get it as soon as I finished (the walk to the car park wasn’t far, even though I was in the overflow bit, but I wanted to hang about after finishing), and this meant I had my water with me until the start as well.

Pre-race photos

We tried to find somewhere to stand in the shade before the start, but there wasn’t much about, although at times there were a few clouds in the sky which helped a little. It wasn’t long before we were off though.

The start line and then views from the course

For anyone that remembers the alternative “cow” route at Panshanger parkrun (this was when the cows were new and not used to runners- we had to run a different route whereas now you just run past the cows) the big hill at the start is part of the 10k route. It is so steep! I had already decided I’d mainly walk the hills and water stations (there were two, at 3.5 and 8.5k) and I think that was a very good idea.

I ran with a couple of club mates (Fiona and Caroline) and this was great as we reminded each other to have regular walk breaks, and of course chatted our way around as per my favourite way to run a race.

Beautiful wildflowers and lots of the park mid-race

In a previous year the course had started in the centre of the park, whereas now it started by the parkrun start, and so I had misremembered some of the route (mixing the old and new routes together)- I had thought we would be running up the long hill you run down at the end of parkrun, so Fiona (who had not done it before) was very relieved when I was wrong! A bit like the parkrun route, the hills were pretty much out the way in the first half, with the second half being more of the perimeter of the park before finishing on a downhill. Some of it was shady but a lot of the route was through the fields so there was no shade at these points and it was just so hot. I took loads of photos as it was one of those perfect looking summer days with the sky filled with white fluffy clouds.

The map of the route

We struggled at one point as we were going to walk at the second water station, and we kept thinking it would be around the corner (we had miles on our watches and were not always paying attention to the huge km markers) so kept on going- when we realised it was further than we had anticipated we decided to walk towards the water station and this was OK but we agreed at the finish we would have found the finish more comfortable had we walked sooner.

Nicola handing out the medals

At the finish our lovely friend Nicola was handing out medals, and then there was an extra water station (which was also available for people before they started running)- I got my bag and headed to the coffee van as this was one of the best things about the race- Planted Coffee Co (an all vegan coffee van) was in the park at the finish and of course I had been thinking about my iced drink of choice. (There was an ice cream van too- in fact at the start we had stood in front of two people with race numbers eating an ice cream! I like their style!)

The medals were wooden ones with pictures of the iron age pigs that live in the park (although I’ve not seen them this year as they are now in a different part of the park- at some point I’m going to have a run there to see if I can find them).

Iced blueberry matcha and the cute pig medal!

I got my iced blueberry matcha and then sat in the shade for a bit while others queued at the ice cream van. I then wandered over to the finish line to chat to my friend and cheer in the final runners-just like at parkrun they had two tail walkers who were encouraging the last few people in and the finish line atmosphere was really friendly. All in all, a fantastic event and one that I’ll definitely do again.

Then it was time to head home, shower and try to keep as cool as possible for the rest of the day!

Catford parkrun- another London event visited

After various touring and home commitments, Branka, Holly and I were all free to tour on the same Saturday, so it was off to visit another London parkrun for us. At least at this time of year, getting a 7am train isn’t too bad as it’s light when you leave home.

We have quite a few to visit in south-east London, and some of these are relatively easy with a train to London Bridge and then a different train from there, so we met at London Bridge to travel together on the second train.

Catford parkrun confusingly is in Mountsfield Park, and the closest train station is Hither Green- it must have been one of the earlier parkruns with the previous naming convention. Anyway, the walk from the station was very simple and not far (about half a mile). It was forecast to be a bit rainy, but we were quite lucky as it stayed dry on our walk there, only raining as we started parkrun and then easing off again after we had finished.

First timer welcome and the bandstand at the start

We arrived a little before the first timers welcome, so we took some pop up photos and left our bags under the bandstand (as it seemed that was the done thing)- at least they would be sheltered if it poured! The welcome was great- the guy enthusiastically informed us that part of the course went around a place that “famously” (?) Charlton Athletic had used for one year, in something like 1927. I like the personal touches and it was good to hear a bit about the local area.

Pop up pic and a few photos from the run

Even at 8:45, there didn’t seem to be many people about at all, but it was close to lots of residential areas and seemed like the sort of parkrun where people appeared at five to nine, as when the RD was doing the briefing it suddenly got very busy.

The course was three laps, but the third lap was a bit shorter than the first two.

I ran with Holly and we both got slightly confused at different points- the paths were quite meandering so it wasn’t easy to keep your bearings and so before our third lap I had forgotten how many times we’d gone past one point, and as we came up to the shorter section of the final lap Holly was thinking we had to do a bigger loop before finishing (I checked my watch to see our distance but handily as they had pacers we could also follow that person in to the finish). The park was varied, with exercise equipment, fields, small wooded areas and some allotments, plus lots of friendly marshals (and people with instruments cheering us on too). We were not in any danger of getting lost as there were loads of cones as well as plenty of marshals, but of course when it’s laps you need to keep count!

At one point I had a deja-vu feeling as it reminded me so much of a section of Brockwell parkrun (and weirdly Branka said it reminded her of it too)- there was part of a path where you ran close to the gates to exit the park, and you were running down at that point and then had to turn and run up- it was just so similar to how I remember that small section in Brockwell too.

After finishing I enjoyed a vegan cookie (as someone was celebrating their 100th and had kindly provided them) and we sheltered under the bandstand for a bit as the rain got a bit heavier. Then it was time for a final pop up photo and a walk back to the station.

Post parkrun pop up pic/ Poddington came along and I remembered to take a photo/ vegan cookies at the finish!

There was a little cafe in the park that looked quite cool- it was in a converted shipping container (although possibly you had to sit outside)- however there is a Leon at London Bridge so we decided to head back there on the train to get breakfast in a more sheltered place.

Parkfaff from Leon (I had the vegan breakfast sandwich, hash browns and tea)/ the cafe in the park/ matcha from B&B and the sun coming out at Borough market

The trains on that line were pretty frequent so we didn’t need to wait long to get back to London Bridge, and then we had a lovely parkfaff chatting about all things (including some more tourism coming up). I was going to head to B&B on my way home, as I was getting a different train back, so after Branka and Holly got their train back, I walked around to get some tea and the sun even came out on my walk back!

Voronoi update:

That was parkrun 454, location 158, and currently 41/65 in my (very long term) Lon-done project. Weirdly my progress towards that challenge and the newly named Explorer 250 are both on 63%

Up next? Probably a few local ones but maybe another London one at the end of the month, we shall see.

Brook Leys parkrun

After a couple of weeks of staying local (Panshanger one week, Jersey Farm the next) I was happy to be off touring again, this time with my dad. We opted for Brook Leys parkrun outside of Cambridge as it was around a 45 min drive away (not too far), the parking was easy (park and ride) and the course looked pretty by the lake.

We arrived in plenty of time and followed a few people in parkrun gear out of the car park and along the road to where it starts (there were also street signs showing Brook Leys)- it was about a half a mile walk so nice and close. We were admiring the buildings on the way (they had lovely tiles on them) and as we were chatting about them one of the volunteers explained that the housing in the estate was mainly for researchers and academics who worked at the uni.

Post run pop up photo/token/ wildflowers seen by the park and ride

The first timers welcome volunteer explained the course in detail (along with a large map)- there was a section where you ran around the lake, and then an out and back section on a path, and you alternated (lake- path-lake-path-lake). I was picturing the lake at Millennium but it was of course way smaller and harder to spot at times due to the large reeds. More of a large pond than a lake I would say.

You had to keep left around the lake (both beginning with L handily) and right for the rest of the course (both R), so that was easy to remember.

Buildings seen on the way/ parkrun flag/ Start area/ buckets for tokens

We didn’t expect it to be quite as busy as it was (the buckets out for tokens up to 500 should have been a clue!) and as it was not too busy during the first timers welcome it was funny to turn back around and see how full the start area was. We lined up and tried to seed ourselves (and even looked for signs for approximate finish time) but didn’t see any- it turned out they were on the right of the path and we were on the left hand side so didn’t see them at all. The briefing was useful as they mentioned the benches on the course too- the team had put high viz on them but wanted to make everyone aware as the first lap would be crowded- and also reminded people about taking the corners gently as the gravel meant that people could skid over easily- not something for us to worry about today as it was so warm, but good to be aware of.

Pre-run pop up photo- the whiteboard pen had dried up so no writing on the board for us/ a few mid run scenes

It did start off fairly busy but nothing as congested as some get, and it did thin out quite quickly. I was hoping for more shade (just picturing other lakeside runs) but it was pretty exposed for the most part. The out and back section was on pavements by buildings so part of that was shaded by the buildings, and there were a few sections with taller trees. One marshal had an umbrella which seemed like an excellent decision.

The shade of the buildings/ the large mirror/ high viz bench

There was also a large reflective block next to the lake- not sure if it was art or something else? We could see ourselves reflected in it (a bit like the bean in Chicago). The lake had a viewing platform next to it and we could see people going up there to look- we saw a heron and cormorant from the path and I am sure there were lots of other birds in there too.

Shade by the buildings/ the viewing tower by the lake/ beautiful purple flowers (and the marshal with the umbrella)

There was also a bank covered in beautiful purple flowers along one side of the path by the lake. I really enjoyed it- yes it is flat so it is a fast course, but it was also varied with the two sections that you ran around, and neither section felt particularly long (sometimes out and backs can feel like they drag on a bit).

The finish area set up was perfect for not losing tokens as after you exited the funnel you had to pass through a sort of wall of scanners, who then said to you “remember to put your token in the bucket” each time (well done to them!).

Almond croissant at home for breakfast/ parkfaff location in the shade/ post run pop up photo

After scanning we had a few more photos- my dad ended up taking photos for probably about 6 groups of people before we managed to inch away from the pop up and get out things. I had taken my rucksack with me which had our water bottles in, and we were both very glad that we had them with us and had not left them in the car. We couldn’t see an obvious cafe where we were, but we’d seen people with coffee cups and one of the volunteers said that if we headed into the main square we would see a few cafes, so we walked there and enjoyed a drink outside, cooling down in the shade for a bit before walking back to the car (I had breakfast at home as we had ordered some amazing vegan croissants for the weekend).

Voronoi update:

It’s quite satisfying when you join together two sections of your map. Dad had the same as he was joining Wimpole and Milton Country while I have joined Wimpole to Bug Hunter Waters and then Ben’s Yard.

The parkrun app had updated the challenges this week (they had renamed challenges that were named after people, so the Cowell club (100 events, named after Chris Cowell who was first to complete 100 events) is now Explorer 100 (which just makes me think of Up) and again it’s now Explorer 250. But the update that I liked was that when you get the notification about your “achievements” (towards challenges) on the app, rather than being a small fiddly button you could swipe between the main event stats and then any achievements, which I think is much clearer.

So that was parkrun 453 and event 157 and another very enjoyable one too.

Up next? Maybe another London one? The rail replacement buses have been out and about which has scuppered a few plans recently, but I am hoping to head back in soon to continue on the Lon-done quest.