parkrun tourism: Mile End

Posted on June 10, 2024 by lindaharley

event #101 parkrun #374

Back in that London for the second time in a week, this time to see the legend Barry Manilow. After the excitement of my 100th event last week, I wasn’t too bothered whether I ran or not, but the day dawned bright and sunny and so off I went. And a very enjoyable morning it turned out to be.

Access:

Those of us who don’t actually live in London sometimes find it hard to work out which one to choose. It’s all very well looking at a map to see which is closest, but that may not translate into easiest to get to. I toyed with Victoria Dock and Burgess, but in the end decided that Mile End would be the simplest to get to, being only 5 stops on the Central Line from where I was staying near Covent Garden. From the charming tube station, turn left and you’ll soon find yourself at an entrance to Mile End Park. Start and finish is by the stadium.

Facilities:

Loos are in the stadium, bikes can be left there too. There’s a Raggedy School museum and cafe for afterwards, or other cafes nearby.

Course:

The park itself is a long narrow strip crossing over the main road via a bridge. So it’s sort of “out and back” with a tight turnaround point (watch out for those bollards!).

The paths are like a dual carriageway, faster runners tend to use both lanes at the start, but as the crowd thins out keep to the left. Tarmac path all the way, some slight inclines over the bridge, and super views of the city skyline.

Crowd:

I got my first ever “Dolly or Bev” in the wild, from Ruth and Brian, currently on 126 with no repeats. I also chatted to visitors from Manchester and the Netherlands. The crowd seemed youngish in age, and the course is also suitable for buggies or dogs (but not both). Big numbers, so a complicated finish funnel.

Gear:

I had travelled in my blue Hokas, and wore my wind proof black trousers and my With Me Now t shirt, and of course my cow cowl.

Time:

I stopped to take photos, so my time was just under 50 minutes.

Strangely Appropriate Song on Shuffle:

I didn’t have headphones in, but we had put Barry on Spotify that morning, so I was humming Copacabana to myself.

All My parkruns:

NI (and other) parkruns: summary list

Filed under: London, Parkrun, running | Tagged: , | 1 Comment »

parkrun toursim – The Fisherman’s Walk

Posted on June 2, 2024 by lindaharley

event #100 woohoo, full cowell

regionnaire status regained

My parkrun tourism is severely hampered these days due to 2 factors. Firstly, I have a part time job, which often requires Saturday working. Secondly, we are now a one-car family (being more environmentally friendly), but my other half needs the car on a Saturday morning. So if I DO have a Saturday off, I am reliant on the kindness of friends who can offer a lift. Step up Heather, fellow Jog Lisburner, who was my chauffeuse for the road trip to Portglenone. Thank you!

Access:

Portglenone (usually pronounced “own” but often jokingly called “one”, and in my lexicon now Port glen onehundred) is a charming little village on the north side of Lough Neagh. It has a marina, some lovely wee cafes, and a very pretty forest, famous for its bluebells. The parkrun is NOT at the forest, though, but at a riverside walk just outside the town. Good directions are given on the parkrun site, but you’ll need a car.

Facilities:

There is a small car park by the start/finish area, though runners are encouraged to leave it for other users, especially fishermen. Parking on the main street is easy enough to find. There’s also a portaloo onsite, as well as a toilet block before the bridge. Coffee afterwards in the village. The volunteers are very friendly and manage the big numbers very efficiently, and a photographer produces some excellent photos.

Course:

A lollipop shaped course with a run out to a loop, down twice. Arrows and marshals make sure you wont get lost. Cattle grids are covered with mats. No real hills to be concerned about, gravel path mostly, with the odd muddy patch. Beautiful views along the riverside.

Crowd:

It’s still the new kid on the Norn Irn block, so is very popular with those completing the NI set. I chatted to a few other Jog Lisburners, other cow cowl chums delighted to be getting another T, and ambassador Matt, with his wife Ruth who has recently celebrated her 600 volunteer milestone. What an achievement! Good course for dogs ( long hard Paddington stare at someone running with 2 dogs). The start is a little narrow, but sensible seeding with slower runners and walkers at the back reduces any congestion.

Gear:

Cow leggings, 100 volunteer shirt, black headband, blue hokkas. And of course my cow cowl. I’d had a moment of panic on Friday when I couldn’t find it, but a quick prayer to St Anthony did the trick – he can apparently even find lost cows. Blessed be the cow, and also with moo.

Strangely Appropriate Song on Shuffle:

No headphones with me, I was enjoying the birdsong. But my earworm was of course 100 miles from The Proclaimers.

And the rest:

I did of course have cake! I’m not a baker, but Sainsburys (other supermarkets are available) do a “decorate it yourself” iced Madeira. I rolled out some yellow icing and made holes in it with a bottle top. Then used a cow shaped cutter and black icing, before adding the words with an icing pencil. Small but beautifully formed, if I do say so myself!

All my parkruns:

NI (and other) parkruns: summary list

Filed under: Parkrun, running | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »