Discussion
A few tips:
If it's a large event (check the results), get there with some time to spare to park up and get to the gathering point. I regularly see people at my local legging it to the start from the car park with a minute or two to go.
Some events have a new runner briefing where they explain the course in more depth. Keep quiet during the main briefing. Hazards might be announced or some other important bits of info.
For you, start near the front if you think you'll finish in 20 minutes or less to avoid being held up, but try not to hold others up, either.
When you finish, stay in the order that you crossed the line in, especially if you're in a cluster of people. Take the barcode you're given along with the one you've brought with you to be scanned and for your result to make it into the system. You don't have to run with your own personal barcode - keep this in your bag etc until you need it at the end to avoid it getting sweaty and unscannable.
Finally, enjoy yourself! They get rather addictive.
If it's a large event (check the results), get there with some time to spare to park up and get to the gathering point. I regularly see people at my local legging it to the start from the car park with a minute or two to go.
Some events have a new runner briefing where they explain the course in more depth. Keep quiet during the main briefing. Hazards might be announced or some other important bits of info.
For you, start near the front if you think you'll finish in 20 minutes or less to avoid being held up, but try not to hold others up, either.
When you finish, stay in the order that you crossed the line in, especially if you're in a cluster of people. Take the barcode you're given along with the one you've brought with you to be scanned and for your result to make it into the system. You don't have to run with your own personal barcode - keep this in your bag etc until you need it at the end to avoid it getting sweaty and unscannable.
Finally, enjoy yourself! They get rather addictive.
Cybertronian said:
A few tips:
If it's a large event (check the results), get there with some time to spare to park up and get to the gathering point. I regularly see people at my local legging it to the start from the car park with a minute or two to go.
Some events have a new runner briefing where they explain the course in more depth. Keep quiet during the main briefing. Hazards might be announced or some other important bits of info.
For you, start near the front if you think you'll finish in 20 minutes or less to avoid being held up, but try not to hold others up, either.
When you finish, stay in the order that you crossed the line in, especially if you're in a cluster of people. Take the barcode you're given along with the one you've brought with you to be scanned and for your result to make it into the system and hand in back after you've scanned!. You don't have to run with your own personal barcode - keep this in your bag etc until you need it at the end to avoid it getting sweaty and unscannable.
Finally, enjoy yourself! They get rather addictive.
If it's a large event (check the results), get there with some time to spare to park up and get to the gathering point. I regularly see people at my local legging it to the start from the car park with a minute or two to go.
Some events have a new runner briefing where they explain the course in more depth. Keep quiet during the main briefing. Hazards might be announced or some other important bits of info.
For you, start near the front if you think you'll finish in 20 minutes or less to avoid being held up, but try not to hold others up, either.
When you finish, stay in the order that you crossed the line in, especially if you're in a cluster of people. Take the barcode you're given along with the one you've brought with you to be scanned and for your result to make it into the system and hand in back after you've scanned!. You don't have to run with your own personal barcode - keep this in your bag etc until you need it at the end to avoid it getting sweaty and unscannable.
Finally, enjoy yourself! They get rather addictive.
tenohfive said:
I've finally signed up and aim to do my first parkrun next week. I'm more of a distance runner, but hoping that the surrounds/environment will help me finally go sub-20.
Any advice for a first timer? Any etiquette etc? If I hit my target pace then judging by previous results I'll be in the top 2% so I'm quite keen to avoid getting caught in the crowd, but don't want to put noses out of joint either.
Just turn up and run, and start where you like. No noses should be put out of joint, and if there are, they are Any advice for a first timer? Any etiquette etc? If I hit my target pace then judging by previous results I'll be in the top 2% so I'm quite keen to avoid getting caught in the crowd, but don't want to put noses out of joint either.
s. 
Smitters said:
laminate your barcode to avoid destroying it.
If you get in to going regularly you can buy better barcodes that won't go soggy. The cards and wristbands are a decent idea but the key fob ones are brilliant, they come as a pack of 3 and I have them laced in to all my trainers, meaning I never forget my barcode and I've always got an emergency contact number on me when I'm out for a run https://www.parkrun-barcode.org.uk
RizzoTheRat said:
Smitters said:
laminate your barcode to avoid destroying it.
If you get in to going regularly you can buy better barcodes that won't go soggy. The cards and wristbands are a decent idea but the key fob ones are brilliant, they come as a pack of 3 and I have them laced in to all my trainers, meaning I never forget my barcode and I've always got an emergency contact number on me when I'm out for a run https://www.parkrun-barcode.org.uk
Anyone done the Larkfield parkrun? I used to do the Maidstone one but never liked the course much from a practical point of view- it's an out and back along the river towpath so if you're a front runner you get caught up with the main pack coming the other way after the turn. Now the council have added some nasty anti-vehicle barriers which will be about 100m after the start, looks like a nightmare. Larkfield is only another couple of mins in the car so thought i'd give that a go.
Heads up for those on the south coast in the Poole/Bournemouth area.
New Parkrun at Upton House/Upton Country Park in Poole starting on 3 June -
www.parkrun.org.uk/uptonhouse/
I guess this is because Poole Parkrun has started to get very busy recently (more than 900 runners most weeks, with quite a few narrow paths to negotiate) - this new event will probably take quite a bit pressure off.
I've not been to Parkrun myself for a while now, because I've started to push towards 10K - but I might do this one, because it's close enough that I can combine it with a 6K round trip to/from my house
New Parkrun at Upton House/Upton Country Park in Poole starting on 3 June -
www.parkrun.org.uk/uptonhouse/
I guess this is because Poole Parkrun has started to get very busy recently (more than 900 runners most weeks, with quite a few narrow paths to negotiate) - this new event will probably take quite a bit pressure off.
I've not been to Parkrun myself for a while now, because I've started to push towards 10K - but I might do this one, because it's close enough that I can combine it with a 6K round trip to/from my house
Smitters said:
RizzoTheRat said:
Smitters said:
laminate your barcode to avoid destroying it.
If you get in to going regularly you can buy better barcodes that won't go soggy. The cards and wristbands are a decent idea but the key fob ones are brilliant, they come as a pack of 3 and I have them laced in to all my trainers, meaning I never forget my barcode and I've always got an emergency contact number on me when I'm out for a run https://www.parkrun-barcode.org.uk
(And one for my youngest - we've been to quite a few junior parkruns now.)
RizzoTheRat said:
If you get in to going regularly you can buy better barcodes that won't go soggy. The cards and wristbands are a decent idea but the key fob ones are brilliant, they come as a pack of 3 and I have them laced in to all my trainers, meaning I never forget my barcode and I've always got an emergency contact number on me when I'm out for a run
https://www.parkrun-barcode.org.uk
Agreed.https://www.parkrun-barcode.org.uk
As an occasional barcode scanner I can confirm that there's nothing worse than a red faced finisher, dripping with snot, who then presents you with a crumpled and soggy barcode from down their pants.
Gilhooligan said:
Pretty poor attitude. It's common courtesy to start in an approximate speed order. It even states that on the parkrun website.
But unless it's a very narrow course, in which case they'll often have markers at the start to help get people in to speed order, it's really not going to be an issue. I've been to some where it can take people near the back 30 or 40 seconds to get over the start line so if slower people are going for a PB they need to try and start a bit further forward. 
. 
Gilhooligan said:
Halb said:
Just turn up and run, and start where you like. No noses should be put out of joint, and if there are, they are s.
Pretty poor attitude. It's common courtesy to start in an approximate speed order. It even states that on the parkrun website. s. Direct quite from the site
"
It’s for everyone
Whether you’re young or old, male or female, fit or unfit, able-bodied or not, you’re always welcome. It’s not about racing, it’s about running."
Please link to the parkrun site where it says Parkruns should be seeded.
Which is your home parkrun?
Edited by Halb on Tuesday 23 May 16:30
At events with narrow start lines I can see why they put people into finish time 'pens'.
It is something I have thought about implementing but don't see the need as we have plenty of space at the start line, people generally start in roughly the right position and anyone who wants to start at the front (kids mainly) tend to stand to the side so they don't get in the way of the faster runners.
We have also recently started using an air horn at the start so everyone can hear it and then start their watches so everyone is in sync with the master clock. People (particularly when we do a pacing event) had said that they didn't hear the 3-2-1-go very well so that was an easy win.
It is something I have thought about implementing but don't see the need as we have plenty of space at the start line, people generally start in roughly the right position and anyone who wants to start at the front (kids mainly) tend to stand to the side so they don't get in the way of the faster runners.
We have also recently started using an air horn at the start so everyone can hear it and then start their watches so everyone is in sync with the master clock. People (particularly when we do a pacing event) had said that they didn't hear the 3-2-1-go very well so that was an easy win.
Not been to an event which I've thought was particularly narrow. MY normal one does have a 'tight' first corner, but if you're quick you're quick, and if you want a 'time', you can run it yourself, or even, go to a race!! Every event I've been to has reflected the core values of Parkrun that I have read on the website, as soon as people start 'seeding' or using 'pens', it seems to be moving directly away from what Parkrun was set up to be and exemplify, I of course stand to be corrected if it it states similar on the official site.
People seeming to think that they have a right to be ahead because they are faster seems totally opposite of everything I have seen and read from the event.
People seeming to think that they have a right to be ahead because they are faster seems totally opposite of everything I have seen and read from the event.
Halb said:
You're right, seeding is a pretty poor attitude.
Direct quite from the site
"
It’s for everyone
Whether you’re young or old, male or female, fit or unfit, able-bodied or not, you’re always welcome. It’s not about racing, it’s about running."
Please link to the parkrun site where it says Parkruns should be seeded.
Which is your home parkrun?
If it's all about running then why bother timing the runners ?Direct quite from the site
"
It’s for everyone
Whether you’re young or old, male or female, fit or unfit, able-bodied or not, you’re always welcome. It’s not about racing, it’s about running."
Please link to the parkrun site where it says Parkruns should be seeded.
Which is your home parkrun?
Edited by Halb on Tuesday 23 May 16:30
Down here they have signs up for sub 20 sub 30 sub 40 otherwise it's chaos if you have people doing a 30 min run in front of those who do it under 20.
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