Cheers Rachel. Really enjoyed this video. What a beautiful ParkRun this is. Desperately hope numbers pick up and it can survive. It can be difficult getting runners and more importantly volunteers, especially if there are lots of other local ParkRun options. In Leeds, we have NINE ParkRuns. Sometimes there can be too much choice. Congratulations to Rory on a spirited run. I was sure he was going to come flying past at the finish. Thanks again and good luck at Warwick Half.
Thanks Colin. It’s been fun seeing lots of new parkruns recently. They’ve all got their own personalities and something quirky and interesting that makes it different from all the rest. We really enjoyed our visit to Aston Hall but hearing its problems is sad to hear. Nine parkruns in Leeds is a lot 😁 I bet it’s really easy to rotate your runs with them being so close. Most of the runs closest to us are in a 25-35 min travel, but within that there’s loads of choice. I was also expecting to see Rory come past but I hadn’t realised he’d dropped off a little, but at the time I kept telling myself he was catching.
Cannot see myself getting that far north for a parkrun anytime soon. Pity, Aston Hall looks well worth supporting. Thanks for the tour and the best of luck on the ongoing parkrun safari.
Thanks David, there’s so many to choose from, I’d love to be able to run them all but if I can’t run them, the next best thing is to watch a video of someone else running one 😁 Even if Aston Hall hasn’t managed to keep any regulars, it’s definitely popular for a visit.
Well done Rachel. Officially a tourist now with 20 different locations. Shame that they are struggling for volunteers and runners. Does seem to be a concentration of parkruns close by. I am doing Newport marathon too. I will look out for the Crocs....! Lol!
Yes, there’s plenty of parkruns in and around the Birmingham area. Some are easier than others for us to get to and still quite a few in that vicinity we’ve not been to. Hope your training is going well for Newport. A new course this year so it’ll be interesting to see how it compares to last year….no, no crocs planned for this year 😁
I did this one a few weeks ago, and Bob, the RD asked the same question about "new runners" then too, and I think there were less than half a dozen. Hopefully it continues as it's a nice course and location (although being close to Villa Park isn't great, being a Liverpool fan!). Great video as always Rachel!
Also just noticed that the course changed at that out and back stretch along the pavement - when I did it we turned left at the bottom and ran along the edge of the wall, to the bottom of the hill by the railings. Interesting that it's changed so soon!
There was another video from Aston that we watched the night before and we’d seen it had gone on to the grass and not out and back round the cones. It was pretty twisty on the first lap, I hadn’t a clue where to go other than following everyone else 😁 Luckily I don’t have loyalty to any football team so it didn’t feel like I was being a traitor running past villa park 🤣
@@racheld1844 Ahh that would make sense - when I spoke to the RD he said he had altered the course a little after the first check to make sure it was definitely 5k - he's usually the RD at Cannon Hill so thankfully had plenty of experience! The first lap was very twisty I agree! I did enjoy it though, and it's been my fastest parkrun in the past 12-18 months, so I must like the ups and downs more than the flat Arrow Valley! haha! I wouldn't say I had a strong allegiance to a team, but definitely a dislike of certain ones! ;) Good luck for the race this weekend too, for you both!
Up until just before Christmas, I’d not heard of it either. Some we’re doing out of order as some weeks we want a flatter course but it’s nice having the app to tick them all off 😁
Great work Rachel, we can safely say we would probably get lost in that race 😂 hopefully it stays open and they manage to find people 🙌 thank you so much for mentioning us, see you on Sunday 😊
If there’d been some mud on the course I’d have thought I was running a cross country race 😁 Hope you’re all ready for Sunday. Weather looks the best I’ve ever seen it for this race. Makes a change to not be stood freezing at the start…still won’t get rid of the hills though 🤣
@raleyadventures - my favourite flat half is Derby. It’s in June so perfect for using that post marathon fitness gain. I got both my pbs there. It’s not pancake flat but absolutely nothing like Leamington or Warwick.
What a cool run! That building was really cool looking and it does look like it would / could be haunted. Would love to see the inside of it. Pretty fast run too for you and it looks like you ran well. I am curious: are ParkRuns generally accurate when it comes to 5Ks - at least on your Garmin is it close to a 3.1 miles? In the US a lot of 5Ks are all over the place -- from 3.25 miles to 2.90. Ran another Half Marathon this past weekend just to see if my first running wasn't a fluke. I did about 45 seconds on a full length course. Really happy with a 1-53-30 at this stage of the season. Enjoyed your video!
Well done on another great half Eddie. Looks like the running year has got off to a very positive start for you 🙂 Parkruns are always accurately measured with a professional measuring wheel to make sure they are exactly 5km. Sometimes my watch can say a fraction under or over but that’s just a slight variation on gps or the line I take around a bend or corner. The time I ran my 2nd 20:01 I was sure I’d gone sub 20 as the overall average pace as I was running was always under goal pace, but it was a fraction out 😕 Most of the bigger distances are always over on my watch but to get accreditation, races have to be officially measured. Taking corners wider and running under trees or past high buildings will always give a different reading on a watch …. so I never know if I’m on target till I cross the line 😁
@@racheld1844 Interesting on the ParkRuns being certified. Most races here aren't certified with the exception of Boston Qualifiers. There are a few that are put on by track coaches / track teams so they come up accurately as well. I agree, the Garmin isn't always 100% accurate, but generally speaking it gives you a hint how close races are. Thanks for the info.
It's odd to set up a parkrun without a sustainable core team and without a set of regular runners. Is it too close to another Birmingham parkrun? The course looks absolutely fine and one we would enjoy with an old hall and a notable football ground. Thinking on the only parkrun we can think that runs so close to a significant football ground is Bournemouth. 30 volunteers is rather a lot. We remember parkruns operating on half a dozen and a few runners mucking in at the end to scan.
It was started without a core team, parkruns should have at least 10 core team members prior to launch,without that, this is the result. Engagement of the local community is also vital.
I’d agree Emma, having that engagement from the local community is vital. It’s good that people have stepped in from outside the area but it’s not really sustainable for people to be travelling a long way to do that.
There’s quite a few Birmingham based parkruns, all that seem to be well established and supported but I guess this one hasn’t sparked up the same interest. It has its quirks and some novelties to make it unique but a bit like Emma has said, it just hasn’t had that uptake from runners/volunteers on its doorstep. It’s a shame really. I love parkrun and it’s quite sad to see one that hasn’t worked out so well, for whatever reason. Hopefully it can survive and build but I guess time will tell.
@racheld1844 for the size of Bham, it doesn't have too many parkruns compared to other cities, and this isn't the reason why AH has struggled to take off. Start a parkrun with the right foundation and involvement from day 1 and it'll thrive. I live only 1 mile from AH so pretty familiar.
It’s a shame to read about this and that the foundation wasn’t there to begin with (and probably other factors too). Hopefully it can turn itself around but I guess that’s probably not realistic this far in. It was nice to run there last month though, and glad to try the route out 🙂
If it’s one you’d like to do I think you should head over as soon as you can, just incase it stops. We really enjoyed our visits so we’d definitely recommend it…just be prepared for plenty of hills 😁
Cheers Rachel. Really enjoyed this video. What a beautiful ParkRun this is. Desperately hope numbers pick up and it can survive.
It can be difficult getting runners and more importantly volunteers, especially if there are lots of other local ParkRun options. In Leeds, we have NINE ParkRuns. Sometimes there can be too much choice.
Congratulations to Rory on a spirited run. I was sure he was going to come flying past at the finish.
Thanks again and good luck at Warwick Half.
Thanks Colin. It’s been fun seeing lots of new parkruns recently. They’ve all got their own personalities and something quirky and interesting that makes it different from all the rest. We really enjoyed our visit to Aston Hall but hearing its problems is sad to hear.
Nine parkruns in Leeds is a lot 😁 I bet it’s really easy to rotate your runs with them being so close. Most of the runs closest to us are in a 25-35 min travel, but within that there’s loads of choice.
I was also expecting to see Rory come past but I hadn’t realised he’d dropped off a little, but at the time I kept telling myself he was catching.
Cannot see myself getting that far north for a parkrun anytime soon. Pity, Aston Hall looks well worth supporting.
Thanks for the tour and the best of luck on the ongoing parkrun safari.
Thanks David, there’s so many to choose from, I’d love to be able to run them all but if I can’t run them, the next best thing is to watch a video of someone else running one 😁 Even if Aston Hall hasn’t managed to keep any regulars, it’s definitely popular for a visit.
Well done Rachel. Officially a tourist now with 20 different locations. Shame that they are struggling for volunteers and runners. Does seem to be a concentration of parkruns close by. I am doing Newport marathon too. I will look out for the Crocs....! Lol!
Yes, there’s plenty of parkruns in and around the Birmingham area. Some are easier than others for us to get to and still quite a few in that vicinity we’ve not been to. Hope your training is going well for Newport. A new course this year so it’ll be interesting to see how it compares to last year….no, no crocs planned for this year 😁
I did this one a few weeks ago, and Bob, the RD asked the same question about "new runners" then too, and I think there were less than half a dozen. Hopefully it continues as it's a nice course and location (although being close to Villa Park isn't great, being a Liverpool fan!). Great video as always Rachel!
Also just noticed that the course changed at that out and back stretch along the pavement - when I did it we turned left at the bottom and ran along the edge of the wall, to the bottom of the hill by the railings. Interesting that it's changed so soon!
There was another video from Aston that we watched the night before and we’d seen it had gone on to the grass and not out and back round the cones. It was pretty twisty on the first lap, I hadn’t a clue where to go other than following everyone else 😁
Luckily I don’t have loyalty to any football team so it didn’t feel like I was being a traitor running past villa park 🤣
@@racheld1844 Ahh that would make sense - when I spoke to the RD he said he had altered the course a little after the first check to make sure it was definitely 5k - he's usually the RD at Cannon Hill so thankfully had plenty of experience!
The first lap was very twisty I agree! I did enjoy it though, and it's been my fastest parkrun in the past 12-18 months, so I must like the ups and downs more than the flat Arrow Valley! haha!
I wouldn't say I had a strong allegiance to a team, but definitely a dislike of certain ones! ;)
Good luck for the race this weekend too, for you both!
Good luck for Warwick, Il be out on course cheering you all on.
Be great to spot you out on route Stu… Any idea where you be/ what mile?
NENDY sounds like a great way to select your events. Brilliant 😂 Never heard of that before.
Up until just before Christmas, I’d not heard of it either. Some we’re doing out of order as some weeks we want a flatter course but it’s nice having the app to tick them all off 😁
But what about... Wendy? Worst event not done yet. ;) Great Yarmouth here we goooooooo.
@@SuperYtc1 😂 I don't know what the great yarmouth one is like, but you're not really selling it to me! 😁👍🏻 Enjoy...
Great work Rachel, we can safely say we would probably get lost in that race 😂 hopefully it stays open and they manage to find people 🙌 thank you so much for mentioning us, see you on Sunday 😊
If there’d been some mud on the course I’d have thought I was running a cross country race 😁 Hope you’re all ready for Sunday. Weather looks the best I’ve ever seen it for this race. Makes a change to not be stood freezing at the start…still won’t get rid of the hills though 🤣
@@racheld1844 haha yeah will be a hilly one 🙌😂 we need to actually find a flat half somewhere 😂😂
@raleyadventures - my favourite flat half is Derby. It’s in June so perfect for using that post marathon fitness gain. I got both my pbs there. It’s not pancake flat but absolutely nothing like Leamington or Warwick.
@@racheld1844we will definitely have to look into that one ☺️🙌🙌 thank you for the suggestion
Enjoy Warwick Half. Not a race I've done so will look forward to the video.
Thanks Gary - a day of no running planned for tomorrow then looking forward to seeing how Sunday goes 😁
That’s a shame that parkrun is struggling. Hopefully it can survive & go on to thrive!
I hope so too 🤞 It would be a shame to see any parkrun go.
Well done Rachel mom xxxx good luck to both for Sunday.
Thanks mom, Sunday should be good fun. We’ll see who’s faster at a half marathon 😊
What a cool run! That building was really cool looking and it does look like it would / could be haunted. Would love to see the inside of it. Pretty fast run too for you and it looks like you ran well. I am curious: are ParkRuns generally accurate when it comes to 5Ks - at least on your Garmin is it close to a 3.1 miles? In the US a lot of 5Ks are all over the place -- from 3.25 miles to 2.90. Ran another Half Marathon this past weekend just to see if my first running wasn't a fluke. I did about 45 seconds on a full length course. Really happy with a 1-53-30 at this stage of the season. Enjoyed your video!
Well done on another great half Eddie. Looks like the running year has got off to a very positive start for you 🙂
Parkruns are always accurately measured with a professional measuring wheel to make sure they are exactly 5km. Sometimes my watch can say a fraction under or over but that’s just a slight variation on gps or the line I take around a bend or corner. The time I ran my 2nd 20:01 I was sure I’d gone sub 20 as the overall average pace as I was running was always under goal pace, but it was a fraction out 😕 Most of the bigger distances are always over on my watch but to get accreditation, races have to be officially measured. Taking corners wider and running under trees or past high buildings will always give a different reading on a watch …. so I never know if I’m on target till I cross the line 😁
@@racheld1844 Interesting on the ParkRuns being certified. Most races here aren't certified with the exception of Boston Qualifiers. There are a few that are put on by track coaches / track teams so they come up accurately as well. I agree, the Garmin isn't always 100% accurate, but generally speaking it gives you a hint how close races are. Thanks for the info.
It's odd to set up a parkrun without a sustainable core team and without a set of regular runners. Is it too close to another Birmingham parkrun?
The course looks absolutely fine and one we would enjoy with an old hall and a notable football ground. Thinking on the only parkrun we can think that runs so close to a significant football ground is Bournemouth.
30 volunteers is rather a lot. We remember parkruns operating on half a dozen and a few runners mucking in at the end to scan.
It was started without a core team, parkruns should have at least 10 core team members prior to launch,without that, this is the result. Engagement of the local community is also vital.
I’d agree Emma, having that engagement from the local community is vital. It’s good that people have stepped in from outside the area but it’s not really sustainable for people to be travelling a long way to do that.
There’s quite a few Birmingham based parkruns, all that seem to be well established and supported but I guess this one hasn’t sparked up the same interest. It has its quirks and some novelties to make it unique but a bit like Emma has said, it just hasn’t had that uptake from runners/volunteers on its doorstep. It’s a shame really. I love parkrun and it’s quite sad to see one that hasn’t worked out so well, for whatever reason. Hopefully it can survive and build but I guess time will tell.
@racheld1844 for the size of Bham, it doesn't have too many parkruns compared to other cities, and this isn't the reason why AH has struggled to take off. Start a parkrun with the right foundation and involvement from day 1 and it'll thrive. I live only 1 mile from AH so pretty familiar.
It’s a shame to read about this and that the foundation wasn’t there to begin with (and probably other factors too). Hopefully it can turn itself around but I guess that’s probably not realistic this far in. It was nice to run there last month though, and glad to try the route out 🙂
Will definitely have to do this one...my favourite football team as well...def worth doing?
If it’s one you’d like to do I think you should head over as soon as you can, just incase it stops. We really enjoyed our visits so we’d definitely recommend it…just be prepared for plenty of hills 😁