vegan food - Maria Runs

Ben’s Yard, Ely parkrun and perfect parkfaffing

My parkrun touring buddies Branka and Holly are rapidly approaching their Cowells (100 different events) and so careful tourism planning is coming into play to make sure they don’t achieve them early. This relatively new event was one that they were both planning on going to, and as I was free I was very happy to head to a new event too.

The journey was around an hours’ drive from Branka, so I left home at 7:15 to pick her up at 7:30. This didn’t seem too early compared to some of our London tourism, and so I was surprised when checking my list of NENDY’s (nearest event not done yet) that Ben’s Yard was number 93 on my list! There are 92 parkruns closer (as the crow flies)that I’ve not been to. Shocking! As I am relatively close to London, all those south London parkruns would be closer even if the journey is a lot trickier and more time consuming.

Amazingly the journey went by without a hitch. After my last time driving into Cambridgeshire (Bug Hunter Waters) where I used the postcode and got us lost in a housing estate, I had finally remembered to pin the parkrun as a starred place in my maps, so the directions took us right to it.

The location is really brilliant for a tourist with everything you need in one place- ample and free parking clearly sign posted from the road, toilets, cafe, restaurant and shops. I am not sure how easy it would be to get to if you lived in Ely (eg could you cycle or run/walk, or would you need to drive) but for us it was great. As we pulled into the car park we saw the “parkrun parking” signs, and then saw Holly in her car. You could see the start area from the car park, so again, a tourists dream! We took our pop up photos and then jumped up and down trying to keep warm- the weather was not living up to the sunshine that had been promised. I can imagine that in the winter it would be quite brutal with cold winds whipping off the fields- you would stay in your car until the last possible moment.

Pop up pic!

We had a super first timers welcome (two laps, keep left until you are about to finish) and then were told to head to the start. As we walked towards the pop up, we were all called back as they wanted to do the main briefing in the same place that the welcome had been, rather than by the actual start. However, we were still at the start line and off pretty much at 9 o’clock (very unlike last week!).

Map- run along the path into the first field (on the right), loop around that field, then along a path and up the slope to run around the lake (left hand loop) and repeat.

I ran with Holly and we had a lovely catch up. The route was so enjoyable. It’s very flat (one hump that you run up, a bit like a bridge- was it a bridge?), around a field and then around a lake and through some woods. The field was quite rutted so I felt I had to keep my eyes on the ground to make sure I didn’t twist an ankle, but the rest of the course was gravel paths and a lovely running surface. I expect in the winter the field part would be very muddy, but the paths would be OK (maybe collect puddles?).

A volunteer took some photos and put them on their facebook page so we got a few mid-run pics which is always nice. Plus the pop up with the car park in the distance, and the token (111- a great number!)

Near the finish area is a huge photo frame lined up with the cathedral in Ely, so I took a photo of that as we ran past on our second lap. Really we should have taken photos of each other but I didn’t think of that until we’d finished. I really enjoyed that you ran past the finish area going into the second loop- the marshals and volunteers were all so enthusiastic so it was a great boost to pass them all half way around. The finish came up so quickly too- I think as the route was so varied.

A few photos taken while running including the frame with the cathedral in the background

Once we had finished and scanned we had a few minutes chatting before Branka came in, and then we headed back to the yard to find some breakfast.

You can see the car park and yard from here- it’s all so compact

They had told us in the briefing that there was a bakery/cafe, and a restaurant, and if you showed your parkrun barcode you would get 10% off in the restaurant. We decided on the cafe, and joined the big queue. (Holly popped out to check out the menu just in case we changed our minds) The cafe was lovely, with loads of pastries and cakes, and very pretty flowers hanging from the ceiling. It had a few vegan items but nothing really for breakfast (rocky road or a brownie), so I got a rocky road for later and was pleased I’d packed a vegan croissant in my bag. They did have plant milk so I could get a tea which is the main objective after running for me.

*Cafe views and the pretty wall of flowers in the yard- they had a few vegan items, and I could get a tea with oat milk*, although we were given takeaway cups even though other people had china ones, not sure why.

We spent ages in there chatting and discussing future parkrun plans- the best way to parkfaff! We had a little leg stretch walking around the yard area- there was a little knick knack shop filled with all sorts of pretty mugs and random Jelly cat toys and that sort of thing, as well as a farmers market style shop where I bought some salad topper (more interesting than it sounds). There was a very pretty wall of flowers so we had to get photos in front of that too. Then it was time to head home- again a straightforward journey and I was home and showered in time for lunch.

Stats: parkrun number 403, venue 132

Question- who is Ben? All I could think of was Ben Folds Five, but I am sure it is nothing to do with that. Probably.

Hackney Marshes for a NENDY visit

I thought I would be staying local at the weekend, but Dad mentioned he was keen to head to a new event, and suggested Hackney Marshes as one that we could drive to, so off we went.

It was around a 45 minute drive from me, so I was picked up at 7:45 and we headed off on a fairly straightforward journey. As we neared the exit, the Olympic velodrome came into view- it is quite exciting to be that close to the park (and then to try not to remember how long ago the Olympics in London actually were!). The parking was free, next to the Hackney Marshes visitor centre (toilets available), and from there it was a short walk, following other runners, across a little bridge and into the starting field.

The starting area had a great feel to it- there seemed to be loads of people, lots of tourists in matching club hoodies (maybe down for the London marathon weekend?) and we saw lots of pacer vests too. The first timers welcome gave us a great description of the route (around the first field/marsh, over the bridge and along the river, away from the river and alongside another field/marsh, and then back around the first field in the opposite direction.

There was a little speech at the main briefing as one of the RD’s was standing down, so she was presented with a framed RD vest which was a lovely idea. We thought they might mention or point out the pacers, but no, suddenly we were off!

The route was very flat, and the grass was lovely and springy, not too energy sapping like it can be sometimes. I had opted for trail shoes but road shoes would have been fine as it was so dry. The first field that we ran around was huge- maybe .75 of a mile before we exited? I loved seeing the colourful runners stretch out in front of us all around the perimeter of it. You could see some of the Olympic buildings (including the Orbit) as well as lots of blocks of housing that have all sprung up in that area.

After exiting the field we ran over the little bridge and then started the section by the river. I had wondered if this was an out and back section, but we had not been told to keep left so thought we were OK, and although we saw lots of runners going along the path in the other direction, these weren’t parkrunners, just people out for a Saturday run. After turning left at the end we realised it definitely wasn’t an out and back, and we skirted another huge field, this one covered in football pitches. The scale is hard to comprehend but it’s a huge green space.

As we passed back over the bridge we saw that the finish funnel was packed with people already, whereas we still had to go back around the first field again.

*The river we ran over, the finish funnel as we ran past, token and pop up sign*

It wasn’t long before we were in the finish funnel too, being reminded to keep in order as the masses finished with us.

After scanning and taking photos we headed back to the car, as Mum fancied breakfast out with us, so we drove back and then walked to a cafe close to their home where I had a very generous amount of avocado on toast (but also tea in a glass- why???).

*First picture- all the runners stretched out ahead of us around the field/ avocado toast/ finish funnel and the path by the river*

Of course, the all important map (after/before):

So, that was parkrun 401 and location 131, 32nd London parkrun (out of 65 currently)- I’m getting close to half way there!

Do you like tea in a glass? Either James Acaster or Dave Gorman did a very funny routine about it- I don’t know why because I drink other things from glasses but tea in a glass is just wrong.

North Walsham parkrun

Andy and I were off to Norfolk for the weekend in the Easter holidays, and last time I was there I went to Blickling parkrun, so I had a look to see what would be nearby. The roads around where we were staying are these little twisty single track roads, so 10 miles might be a 30 minute drive, and as we had plans for the rest of the day I didn’t want to go too far. North Walsham was about a 15-20 minute drive away, so it was decided.

The parking for the parkrun was in the town centre, close to the start, and although I parked up at 8:30, I was in the car park for a while as I couldn’t get the machine to work (it kept declining the contactless on the phone)- I had packed an emergency credit card so had to get that from the car and second time around that worked. I then jogged the short distance around to the park- I had seen the parkwalker pink flag on my drive in-and felt the happy feelings that parkrun tourists get when they see all the “caution runner” signs. There was no-one about (and this was maybe 8:45?) and across the field I saw what I thought was the finish funnel. When I got to it, it was parkrun tape, but just taping off a section of the course. I then saw one marshal in high viz (hooray)- but when I asked her where the start was, she very helpfully proceeded to give me a very in depth description of the (complicated) course. I asked her “do I go through that gap in the fence?” and she said “no, er, well, you need to go back to the road, oh, just follow those two runners”- pointing to two people running past on the road outside the park. I thanked her and ran after them, but when I got to the road they had disappeared from my view- I saw a little alleyway down the side of a building and took a chance (as they couldn’t have gone that far) and thankfully came out onto the field in view of the purple pop up.

My photo with Stanley and the parkwalker flag that took me to the public park and not the start/finish area

As I snapped a photo I heard the call for the first timers welcome- that was lucky timing!

So, the course. It sounds complicated, as you start in the middle of one of the laps (see above!)- but basically one lap of the school field, one lap of the public park, a second lap of the school field, a second lap of the public park, a final lap of the school field and then a loop around to get into the finish funnel (also in the school field)- you passed the finish funnel on your third lap of the school field at around 2.5 miles and I bet some people have run in there rather than complete their final lap!

Anyway, we were told that if there were pairs of cones, run between them, and if there were lines of cones, run next to them, and that seemed to pretty much work.

After the first timers welcome, one of the volunteers asked the tourists to stay for a photo, so I got a picture holding their Stanley (the little dog mascot), and then the main briefing began. There were a few milestones and celebrations, and they called out where some of the tourists were from, and then we were off.

A few photos from the route plus my token

The course was fairly flat. I’d worn trail shoes after seeing that advice in the parkrun tourists facebook group, although as it had been so dry leading up to it, road shoes would have been fine. I could imagine that it would be very muddy in the winter though as you are all on the grass pretty much the entire time. There were a few signs on the course with arrows for laps 1, 2 and 3, and loads of cones. There were also so many marshals out- in some places there were 3 together. There were a few points where you passed the same marshal but in a different direction and on a different section of the course, so at those points some marshals would be facing you, and others facing other runners on a different part of the route. It was all so friendly and of course on a sunny day it looked wonderful. As you left the public park you ran through a little copse and it just looked so pretty with the sun shining through the trees.

I did get slightly disoriented as I left the public park for the final time- thinking I was going to turn left after the woods but in fact had to go forwards further before turning, but this was fine as there was a fence where I thought I needed to turn, and cones out everywhere. It was just that sort of feeling where you anticipate turning and then realise you can’t.

I really enjoy these courses where you can see lots of the route too- it makes it feel more of a communal event with runners ahead and behind. They had a pb bell and as I was running around the school field for the final time I kept hearing it go, and then everyone clapping after, so that just added to the community feelings. It didn’t feel like a long time before I was heading into the finish funnel (and I did double check my watch before I turned in there!).

The little copse and then the pop up sign

After scanning and putting my token into their chocolate box collection container, I asked some other tourists for a pop up photo and then headed out of the park and over to Dark Room Chocolates. I cannot remember how I found out about this place, but at some point in lockdown I ordered some buns from them, as they used to make amazing vegan cinnamon buns, cardamom buns, almond buns etc. (all plant based). I think they maybe had a cafe in Norwich or somewhere that you could collect them from, but at some point their business pivoted from baking to making chocolate, and now they make chocolate (two ingredient chocolate too-just cacao and sugar) and have a little cafe that is only open on Saturday mornings, in North Walsham. The cafe is plant based, and they do hot chocolate, iced chocolate and coffee, and then a range of based goods, as well as all of their chocolate bars- you can even get a flight of their chocolate to taste all the different types.

Just some of the many cakes on display and my iced hot chocolate

I’m glad I had looked online as it is by a car park and looks from the outside like an industrial building, but inside there were tables with lots of people eating and tasting the chocolate. I ordered an iced hot chocolate to go, and got a couple of cakes for us to share later on, but there was a huge selection. The iced hot chocolate was so good. I didn’t get any of the chocolate bars as it was a warm day and I thought they would end up melting in the car (and if not then, on the journey home on Sunday), but the iced hot chocolate was perfect in the heat.

I had a banana in the car to eat too before I drove back to our AirBnB, and then it was time to have a quick shower and then head out for the day to some National Trust places (including Sheringham which does have a parkrun but would have been a bit too far to go in the morning and get back) and Blickling (previously visited) as we knew it was a nice one.

So, the all important voronoi map has been updated- the best thing about the runs close to the coast is that you get a rather huge purple segment going into the sea!

I also saw on the 5K app that I completed the Vegan Runner challenge (run a parkrun beginning with each of those letters- I needed one more N), and I have now done the compass challenge twice, as this was my second North, but I had already been to 5 South ones, 3 East ones and 2 West ones.

And the stats- that was my 399th parkrun (yes, the big arbitrary 400th next weekend) and my 129th location. All being well my 400th will be a new location too, fingers crossed.

So, another lovely weekend with some parkrun tourism in there, as well as lots of exploring and fresh air.

Dulwich parkrun- not dull at all!

Welcome to another edition of Maria and Branka go on tour in London!

We are getting to be quite the fans of the train travel parkrun tourism. After going to Walthamstow on the overground, many more parkruns have opened up for us as the tube and bus combinations look rather complicated but the overground rail network gets close to lots of parkruns too. On the way back from Walthamstow we were looking at the overground maps and making mental notes of other places we could get to on those lines.

Dulwich was on the Southern overground, which stops at London Bridge, so that was an easy train journey via the Thameslink overground. It meant an early start (well, as early as a work day really) with a 7:13 train from St Albans for me, but now the mornings are lighter and the weather isn’t as cold, it doesn’t seem too bad to be up and out at that time.

After meeting Branka at London Bridge, we got the overground a few stops (passing Peckham which was 1.7km from that parkrun according to the 5k app…) to North Dulwich, and then walked the mile or so there from the station to the start. Dulwich was so posh! It was such a contrast from the views from the train which were the typical London tower blocks with brick balconies and little green space. The walk to the edge of the park passed mansion after mansion, a Gail’s and a lovely pedestrianised traffic calming zone. The park reminded me of Finsbury park but flat, with a wide carriage circle style drive, a lake/pond in the middle, plenty of facilities like tennis courts and playgrounds, and toilet block handily close to the start of the parkrun.

The purple pop up on arrival, one of the selfie frames, the view of the start area and the flag.

We got into the park at around 8:35, so it was nice to not need to rush- we found the start, took pop up pictures, went to the toilets, found a bench of trust to leave our bags and listened to the first timers welcome. We were excited to find the old selfie frames too, so of course took advantage of more photo ops!

It was a busy parkrun, but it didn’t feel too overwhelming. The route is three flat laps on the wide road, so apart from the first few hundred metres where people were still getting into sort of speed order, it was not congested at all.

A few pictures taken while I was running and the finish funnel cones– I also took a photo of my watch as I was quite surprised by my time- 28 something!

I was (and am) still getting over a cold, so did not want to push too hard, but of course the temptation when it’s flat is to just go for it. I enjoyed running and the laps seem to tick by fairly quickly. The park was varied so there was lots to look at (including some bit metal sculptures that looked like pretzels- I spent some time wondering what they were for). At one point I did have to speed up as the guy in front of me kept spitting on the floor (how gross) and the guy behind me was breathing so heavily and noisily, grunting and groaning and making weird horse noises (Toast of London anyone?) so I wanted to get away from those people if possible!

Before long I was heading into their double funnel- this was not like other double funnels I’ve been in as were were colour coded (blue or orange) and they were giving out tokens to both queues at the same time (there was someone with a clicker who was counting, so they must have divided up the tokens in advance)- lots of the people who finished behind me were directed into the funnel next to me and given their tokens before I reached the end of the funnel I was in. Clever stuff.

We both loved the smiley face on the run briefing sign! Our traditional pose with us both by the pop up, plus the pop up and token photo. You can’t see here but we were accidentally twinning with grey leopard print leggings and green milestone t-shirts!

After finishing I waited for Branka by the pop up- I ended up taking lots of photos for various people (as you do) and of course it meant they could take pictures of us when we were ready.

Once all the photos were sorted, we walked back to the station and went back to London Bridge, and then popped out to Borough Market to visit Bird and Blend for a tea- the perfect drink after a parkrun! I had a chocolate digestives tea latte (I was deciding between that and a matcha latte for ages), and Andy had requested that I went to the Crosstown truck to get doughnuts so we went there too, before getting a pastry from Pret for our journey home. It was such a lovely morning- great to visit a new parkrun, great to spend time with Branka and great to have some time for parkfaffing after.

Doughnuts from Crosstown (buy two and share them both is what we do), The Shard as seen from Borough Market, vegan croissant for the journey home and a tea latte.

That was parkrun number 396 for me (that 400 is getting close now!), 128th parkrun location and 30th London one (out of 65 currently but of course that will keep going up). Another purple chunk- see below!

So, which London one is next? Both Branka and Holly are now on slight limits as they have chosen dates and locations for their Cowells (100 different events) so can’t go to many new events between now and those summer dates. We do have a few London ones booked in together, and there are a few that they have done that I have not (such as Victoria Dock) which I am sure I can persuade my dad to come along to. So we shall see. Next weekend is a close to home parkrun as we have afternoon plans locally, and I can’t plan any further ahead than that right now!

Brighton Half Marathon 2025

I’ve completed this race so many times now, I really do enjoy it. Any excuse for a reason for a weekend in Brighton is good by me, but the course is always good (running by the sea) and the support is always fantastic from the locals.

This time the weather was pretty amazing- sunny with a gentle breeze. It had been frosty on the Saturday morning, but it was not frosty on Sunday. Andy was running this year too, which meant I took a jacket to tie around my waist so I had something to wear at the end, as usually he would meet me at the finish with another layer to put on. I get cold very quickly when I stop so I knew I’d need something and didn’t want to use the bag drop. After not wearing sunglasses to parkrun the previous morning, I knew I would wear them for this run, and at the last minute decided on a visor too- I was glad of both of these as it was so sunny the entire time.

The race had a new start/finish area on Hove Lawns this year, which worked so much better than the previous start area of Madeira Drive- there is a lot of work going on restoring the arches at Madeira Drive so I think that was why, but the Hove Lawns area was so much wider. Often it is so congested and it’s hard to get past the queues of people at the port-a-loos, and it can take a good 30 mins to get out of the finish area. This year was a lot better so I hope they keep it in the future.

Back to the morning- our hotel was less than a mile walk along the seafront to the start, so we left the hotel at around 8:45 with the race starting at 9:30. We were not using the bag drop or anything, so just had to get into our start pens before it began. On the walk we saw some people riding penny farthings- I remembered seeing them last year out on the route while I was running it, so this must be some sort of tradition!

*The penny farthings, before the start, heading to Hove Lawns*

Andy is a quicker runner than I am, but we started in the same pen so we could chat up until the start. I decided to let the runners go so I stood to one side (I was in the sub 2 hour pen, which was not a time I would be running! I have done that once but it’s probably a never again!)- I didn’t fancy being swept up by all the faster runners.

The route covered pretty much the same ground, but in a different order. Previously you head east along the coast first, then do the out and back in the city centre, and finish by heading out to Hove and back.

*A few pictures from the route, and Joe Wilkinson starting off the race (before joining at the back- I saw him at one of the out and back sections too)*

This year, we ran into the town first, then headed east along the coast (this is the trickiest bit as it’s uphill and the road has quite a camber), back to the centre, then you had a small out and back along Madeira Drive, you then ran along west towards Hove, and then looped around to head to the finish. Usually when you turn at Hove you have a parkrun to go, but this time it was around 1.5 miles so I quite liked that we were closer to the finish at this point.

I’d looked at my time from last year and decided to aim for a similar time- between 2:10 and 2:15 would be realistic. This meant I needed to hover around 10 minute miles, so every now and then I would glance at my watch and I was always below that pace. I think starting in the faster pen meant I got a bit swept along with all the speedier runners.

I enjoyed the out and back sections- if you know someone running it’s always fun to look out for them. Andy saw me as I was heading up the coast, and I saw him at Madeira Drive, so that was nice. I enjoyed seeing the various supporter signs, running club vests and of course just looking out to sea and enjoying the views.

I usually get a drink at the turn around point, but realised after not having anything at the penultimate one that because the start and finish had moved, the water stations were in different places. I was struggling a bit by the time I got into Hove, and made myself stop and walk and drink the whole cup of water- this was at the 11 mile mark. Around this point we were all held back for a few moments while bin lorries drove across the course- it was a bit confusing as marshals were stopping us but other people were shouting “keep going”- I think they were supporters just being encouraging, but after running 11 miles and being tired it wasn’t easy to register what was going on!

Anyway, after the water I felt a bit better (I had a very dry throat, which I put down to being thirsty, but in fact this week I lost my voice and am now getting a bit of a cold, so I think that was actually what was happening with my throat there) and as we turned it was around 1.5 miles to go. I enjoyed this bit, looking at the beach huts, thinking about the parts of Hove Prom parkrun that we were running on, and soon we were being directed into the finish chute. This was actually quite a long chute so I was very relieved when we finally got under the finish arch. My official time was 2:11:06 so I am very pleased with that (last year was 2:13:59). Looking at my splits only miles 11 and 12 were in the tens- where I walked to have some water and then took a while to get going again, the rest were sub 10 min miles.

*Medal, pancakes with tofu scramble and blueberries (we shared this as we knew we’d have an early dinner) and the sea*

I should have put my jacket on right away, but instead I got my medal, can of water and banana, and then wandered about trying to find a good place to take a photo (as it was so crowded). Andy had messaged to say he was back at the hotel, and I had decided to head into Bird and Blend to get a tea for the walk back. After taking a photo I was just soooooo cold. I put my jacket on but that was probably too late, and then in B&B there was a bit queue so I had to wait ages for them to make my drink.

I made sure I stretched while I was standing and waiting at least!

*Pavilion seen during our post half marathon walk, Nowhere Man mirror (for the best pancakes), B&B tea and marmite fries.*

After a shower in the hotel we headed out to get some pancakes (for who knows what- brunch/ lunch?), and then a bit later on we had the star of the weekend, marmite waffle fries from Oowee! We stayed until the Monday, so we had a nice seafront walk in the morning before heading home- very nice not to have to rush back on the same day.

All in all, a great weekend. I’ve not signed up to 2026 just yet, but I am sure it won’t be long before I do!