parkrun #401 event #111
My current NENDY, and a lovely one to tick off!
Sadly Knockbracken Reservoir parkrun ceased to be earlier this year, but the team were quick to identify a suitable nearby location in order to keep momentum going for local runners.
Access:
It’s in the Belfast metropolitan area, so there are buses (Metro 6c and d) that operate nearby. Car parking is recommended at the Boys Brigade hall, rather than the closer playground park or Belvoir Activity Centre, in order to keep the spaces there for those users.
It’s a bit of a walk to the start line, so make sure you leave plenty of time! But I got a 6d at 10.40 afterwards which was perfectly timed.
Facilities:
Loos in the activity centre. The team currently seem to be providing tea and coffee afterwards in the playpark car park, but that may be temporary. Start and finish are in the same area, so find a tree for your jacket!
Course:
It’s one small lap and 2 large ones (which also incorporate the first small one). It’s one of those courses which seems to be all uphill, even though I know that’s a geographical impossibility! Keep the River Lagan to your left, do not cross over the river! The paths are typical forest terrain, packed gravel, watch out for puddles and squidgy grass.
It’s quite a narrow start – runners are encouraged to self seed and place themselves in the appropriate area. There’s an important crossroads point, well manged by cowbell wielding volunteers. And you run past the ancient Belvoir Oak, as well as many other fabulous trees and forest life.
Crowd:
I was there at event 4, along with 170 others. So I would expect it’ll even out around the low 100s. It’s rather volunteer heavy, that might be an issue in winter months. Great one for dogs, a bit tricky for prams or wheelchairs.
Gear:
I was tailwalking in my windproof trews, world tourist jacket and jog Lisburn hat. I also had a backpack on as I was heading downtown afterwards. Blue Hokkas. Could have done with walking poles!
Strangely Appropriate Song:
I don’t use headphones when I’m tail walking in case I need to be on the alert for urgent safety messages. But that cowbell at the crossroads was a great indicator of where I was. So here’s my favourite song featuring a cowbell.
All my parkruns:
NI (and other) parkruns: summary list
Filed under: Parkrun, running | Tagged: running, walking | 1 Comment »
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