Thanks to the bonus events put on over the festive season, this Saturday offered us the chance to run our fifth parkrun in fifteen days. It was also the first Saturday event of the New Year so a chance to step back into routine. Early January parkruns are often well attended by people enacting their newly polished good intentions in the form of exercise. Today, however, offered its own set of additional challenges.
Temperatures had dropped to sub zero overnight and there were warnings of snow across the country. Bearing this in mind we had hoped to visit an event closer to home than we sometimes choose, minimising travel. It soon became clear that many local events were cancelling due to dangerous ice on tarmac paths.
Under these circumstances, Marlborough Common seemed a good choice being run entirely on grass and not too far away. We parked in town (£1.70 for 2 hours) so that I could use the available toilets (20p to access) and then walked up the hill to the common (where free parking is available). The ground was frozen solid and the grass covered in a thick layer of frost. It was cold enough that this wasn’t melting so shoes stayed dry.
Having taken photos by the popup we made our way towards the gaggle of hi-vis clad volunteers. Participants were also starting to gather and the First Timers Briefing was underway. This was our second visit to this venue, although our first had been on a sunny, summer’s day. Today everyone was wrapped up against the cold, reluctantly shedding layers as the Run Director made his way towards the start to give his briefing.
Accompanied by his harmonica, the briefing was given in song – highly entertaining. All the usual aspects were covered with visitors welcomed and volunteers rightfully thanked, it being such a cold day. It was then time to line up behind the popup and we were soon underway.
The course is a two lapper that, on paper, follows a route somewhat tricky to memorise. On the ground, however, paths to be followed are well marshalled and marked with plenty of direction arrows and small cones – all very clear. The grass was cut short and the ground easy to run on in the road shoes I had selected.
The main loop (there is a short inner diversion around a parkrun flag) takes participants across the bottom of the common parallel to the road, up a hill, across the top, and then down around a playing field to rejoin the bottom path. Do not fear the hill. It is not too steep compared to many we have encountered on our parkrun travels and climbs at a steady rate.
Being a back of the pack runner I was able to watch as the majority of participants snaked ahead around the loop. Once back at the bottom of the course there is a short two way section and faster runners were passing here as they headed towards the finish funnel. The layout of the course means path width is never an issue. The grass may easily be run on either side of the obvious paths making overtaking straightforward.
The finish funnel is close the the parkrun flag mentioned earlier so a slight climb and then a straight path towards it offers the chance of a sprint finish. Tokens were handed out, scanned and collected with friendly efficiency. Finishers were then offered a tasty treat to enjoy – I picked up a delicious bite sized brownie, thank you to whoever provided these.
184 participants passed through the finish funnel today. The pack was led by Alex Hull in a time of 19:28. There were 23 PBs set for the course – well done to all who scored this achievement. 3 participants earned the right to wear a new milestone t-shirt. Congratulations to: William Sandison (50); Bill Lansbury and Holly Fry (25).
No parkrun can happen without the sterling efforts of the many volunteers. Big thanks to the 40 hi-vis and behind the scenes heroes who stepped up to fulfil each of the various roles today.
We said on our first visit to Marlborough Common that we would be back as it is such a well organised and lovely venue. Today’s visit made us question why it has taken us so long to do so – we’ll be back again soon.
