Today, along with 1524 other participants, we went back to the source and ran at Bushy parkrun. There was a cold bite to the wind but otherwise the weather was glorious. As is our habit when visiting a new location we arrived early, around 8am. Unlike some later arrivals we had no problem finding a space to park our car. We then wandered towards a large children’s play park alongside which a toilet block is located. This proved clean and free to use – always pleasing. It was then back to the car park where volunteers were gathering as I wanted to check in. Everyone was very friendly and I was able to touch base with the main report writer – Bushy has a team of writers who step up each week to provide a flavour of the event.
The start point is on a grassy area beside the play park. With so many participants expected, this is wide; the starting line marked with cones, and a speaker system set up to ensure the Run Director can be heard when they give their briefing.
We were so busy taking in the sheer scale of this event we nearly missed the first timers welcome but realised it was happening when we heard a cheer and spotted a gathering close to a pile of logs where many people had been waiting by a welcome flag. A key point raised here was a plea to keep moving in the funnel – something that proved vital to process the number of participants.
Everyone then moved across the grass to the start point for the Run Director’s clear and succinct briefing. She was able to call GO! at almost exactly 9am – I am always impressed when this is achieved.
The Bushy course is a one lapper, roughly in the shape of butterfly wings. It is flat and mostly on firm paths – tarmac, crushed stone, fine gravel – although with a few grassy sections and paths that look as though they could be muddy in wet weather. This was not a problem today.
Given the number of people taking part it was no surprise to spot a small number of incidents along the way, all being dealt with by the many marshals volunteering. The first was right at the start when a young lady took off energetically and ran straight into one of the loudspeaker stands, despite there being a marshal to warn runners to go either side. She seemed fine, unlike the now toppled loudspeaker, and was most apologetic. Further on I passed a further 3 participants who had stopped for various reasons but had marshals ensuring any help they needed was provided. This goes to show how important the role is at each event.
I am a back of the pack runner and congestion is often a problem encountered, especially at the start of a parkrun. The layout of the Bushy course meant this was minimal. The wide start on grass leads to a crushed gravel path but there is a grassy area to the side of this, allowing runners to spread out when overtaking. Beyond the first kilometre there are sections where the path narrows slightly at times but by then most participants were travelling at a steady pace, comfortable for them. The only runners who appeared to be held up were a couple who were pushing buggies. After they passed me I didn’t see them again so assume they got through when the path widened again.
A few runners had dogs whose leads proved trip hazards at the start but were mostly kept in their own space thereafter. The sheer volume of people taking part made this more notable than may be the case elsewhere. Having said this, I didn’t see anyone fall over them so any risk that existed was avoided.
I had opted to wear my all terrain shoes, Brooks Ghosts, given the mixed pathways so was never going to be particularly fast – even for me. My aim for the day was to enjoy the experience of running at such a well attended event, and this I did. Husband had been more optimistic and wore his magic shoes, Nike Vaporflys. He was pleased with his choice, achieving a credible finish time and also enjoying the experience of running amongst so many faster participants.
That times were accurately recorded – more or less matching our watches – was impressive. The management of the finish funnel was an operation in itself with ‘duckers’ persuaded to return and everyone continually reminded to keep moving forward. Personal discipline within the funnel I was held in was good, everyone staying in order to collect their finish tokens. Yes, there was a bit of a wait, but what else can be expected with so many to process.
So, big thanks to all the volunteers without whom parkrun couldn’t happen. The popularity of Bushy clearly presents challenges, but these were all met with care and friendly efficiency.
A fine run amongst a large but friendly group of people – one we were glad to be a part of.
For those who like their stats…
- The pack was led by Ollie Garrod with a time of 15:44
- 21 participants finished in under 18 minutes; 77 were sub 20 mins
- 29 participants earned the right to wear a new milestone t-shirt
- 1 participant DNF’d following a nasty fall that resulted in a broken wrist – and departure by ambulance – but she did get a PB on the mile she completed (why of course she asked those helping her to stop her Garmin track!)
