The last time we visited Dartmoor Simmons Park parkrun had not yet started. It was therefore with some excitement that we travelled to Okehampton on the Friday afternoon of our short break to check out the course ahead of Saturday’s planned run. Husband did his best to explain the route as we walked through the park but the loops and turns appeared complicated. I assured him that, given my likely pace, I’d be able to follow the runners in front.
Saturday morning dawned and we were grateful for clear skies and sunshine after a night of heavy downpours and a few rolls of thunder. Friday’s reconnaissance proved useful as we were able to drive to the recommended car park along now familiar roads (parking: £1 for 2hours, £1.50 for 3 hours – cash or pay by app).
We arrived early so had plenty of time to take photos by the pop up and use toilet facilities in the nearby leisure centre. Volunteers were congregating by the pavilion – I believe there are also toilet facilities here. The paths had dried out well with just a few puddles and muddy patches, most of which were easy to avoid.
The First Timers briefing was held by the pavilion. The course route was explained although still sounded complicated. We were advised to remember: 3 times around the marshal at the end of the park, twice over the middle bridge, once around the final field: 3,2,1.
Participants then moved to the start point by the football ground for the Run Director’s briefing. She moved us all back a little as the start is on the corner of the fencing rather than on the playing field. This left me further forward in the pack than I normally place myself, not an issue as there was plenty of space to overtake over the first few hundred or so metres. It also meant I avoided the congestion that can be irritating at bigger events where path width is limited.
Having thanked the volunteers, welcomed tourists and reminded us of the safety rules, we started bang on 9am – well done RD. The pack galloped back towards the pavilion and veered right to join a public footpath. Although narrower here, everyone I could see stayed in single file unless overtaking, a welcome courtesy.
At the end of this path there was a very short uphill and then right turn that went down steeply and was a tad muddy so had to be traversed with care. It was then back onto the top of the playing field by the football club and from here paths followed were mostly wide and firm underfoot.
The runners in front of me were getting further away which encouraged me to up my pace lest I lose someone to show me the way. In the event, from here all was straightforward. Run past the football club, cross the river at a bridge and then follow the river path to the end of the park and complete the loops between this and middle bridge. As the RD had reassured us, on the ground and with marshals directing where we should go, all was clear.
After running around the end marshal three times, middle bridge is then passed without crossing. The route continues past a playground and then turns left towards a bandstand where a marshal directed us right towards the leisure centre. Passing in front of this a field is entered where we could see the finish funnel. As the RD had told us, this has to be passed and the field looped on the outside before re-entering it past the leisure centre again and finishing.
Other than the first playing field, paths are tarmac or gravel so my choice of road shoes was correct for today. This may be my first time coming in sub 30 on an unknown route – very pleasing as I hadn’t expected such a potentially fast course. That the sun shone throughout was an added bonus, especially as the heavens opened once again a couple of hours later!
The finish funnel was managed with friendly efficiency before tokens were scanned and returned. Results came through while we were enjoying our well earned breakfast which is always pleasing.
129 participants passed through the finish funnel today. The pack was led by Will Parrott in a time of 18:42. 31 people were new to this parkrun. 27 people achieved PBs. Finty Clayton and Melissa Durrant earned the right to wear a new milestone t-shirt, each completing their 25th event.
Thank you to the 18 volunteers without whom today’s parkrun couldn’t have happened. Do please consider stepping up into one of the many and varied roles available from time to time that they may continue.
Simmons Park proved a lovely course and we thoroughly enjoyed running it. We would certainly be happy to return if back in the area. A repeat of today’s fine weather would also be most welcome.
