Discussion
I've read the article, and whilst yes - some will be getting angry because they've received an article telling them to be angry - I do think that he has a point.
First rule of Parkrun? It's a run, not a race. That's pretty central to the whole ethos and what makes it so attractive. If you tried to sell Parkrun as a free 5km race I don't think you'd have anywhere near the same uptake. Yes, it's a good opportunity to push yourself, and through a smidge of competitive spirit for others to push you to get the most out of yourself. But ultimately the community spirit is what has led to the rise in popularity of Parkrun, not the PB chasing sub-20'ers. And whilst I fall into that PB chasing sub 20 category personally, the biggest benefit to Parkrun in my eyes is that it is getting people out, getting healthy, and getting involved in their community who otherwise would be sitting around the house watching Saturday morning TV.
If I were involved in Parkrun I wouldn't want anything in the media suggesting it's a race. Or that cheating could be a factor. Because if I were a non-runner, umming and arring about giving it a go (and I know a few that are on the point of joining me for their first) and caught a whiff of a competitive element to Parkrun then I think I'd be put off. And that's what it does - like it or not, put, 'Parkrun,' and, 'cheating,' together and it gets people thinking and questioning if it's a wider issue, gets people talking about it and just introduces something that does not need to be there or add anything positive.
I also agree that as Parkrun isn't a race and cheating simply isn't an issue, Runners World picked a soft target. There are any number of 5km races each week that RW could have used instead; picking Parkrun instead just feels lazy.
I don't think it was a deliberate attempt to sully Parkrun's reputation by RW. But I do think it was ill considered. Moving forwards, I think the best thing people can do is dismiss it as poor journalism and move on.
First rule of Parkrun? It's a run, not a race. That's pretty central to the whole ethos and what makes it so attractive. If you tried to sell Parkrun as a free 5km race I don't think you'd have anywhere near the same uptake. Yes, it's a good opportunity to push yourself, and through a smidge of competitive spirit for others to push you to get the most out of yourself. But ultimately the community spirit is what has led to the rise in popularity of Parkrun, not the PB chasing sub-20'ers. And whilst I fall into that PB chasing sub 20 category personally, the biggest benefit to Parkrun in my eyes is that it is getting people out, getting healthy, and getting involved in their community who otherwise would be sitting around the house watching Saturday morning TV.
If I were involved in Parkrun I wouldn't want anything in the media suggesting it's a race. Or that cheating could be a factor. Because if I were a non-runner, umming and arring about giving it a go (and I know a few that are on the point of joining me for their first) and caught a whiff of a competitive element to Parkrun then I think I'd be put off. And that's what it does - like it or not, put, 'Parkrun,' and, 'cheating,' together and it gets people thinking and questioning if it's a wider issue, gets people talking about it and just introduces something that does not need to be there or add anything positive.
I also agree that as Parkrun isn't a race and cheating simply isn't an issue, Runners World picked a soft target. There are any number of 5km races each week that RW could have used instead; picking Parkrun instead just feels lazy.
I don't think it was a deliberate attempt to sully Parkrun's reputation by RW. But I do think it was ill considered. Moving forwards, I think the best thing people can do is dismiss it as poor journalism and move on.
I'm considerably less outraged. In fact I'm outraged I can't be outraged. It's an outrage.
The tone of the article is clearly anti-cheating. It points out it's easy and yes, parkrun is a soft target because it's not characterised as a race so volunteers aren't looking out for infringements. Nowhere in the article does it suggest the volunteers haven't been doing their designated role. I would say it's pretty clear that, rather line PSH's conclusions, the only person being cheated is the cheater. In a "proper" race it would be different as you are affecting placings, possibly prizes, but that's all irrelevant in a parkrun. I think the saddest thing is RW have effectively forced PRHQ to make a DQ a thing now. I don't imagine it existed as a finish option before, though RDs or EDs can correct me.
In terms of the "feels like a race" I would argue that it would be difficult to encourage people to attend if they didn't get a time. The age grading is a function of your position within the grade, but clearly varies course to course, so is only really directly comparable on that day, in those conditions, on that course. Statistically significant in only a handful of parkruns and certainly not on my 80 strong local one. Would I mind if I didn't get a placing? Not at all.
I would also argue that it was more like a race in the early days and that line has been softened as the popularity increased. I suppose you come to a philosophical question - if you came home first two seconds outside your pb, or second, two seconds inside, which would make you happier? If it's the latter, you probably get parkrun.
The tone of the article is clearly anti-cheating. It points out it's easy and yes, parkrun is a soft target because it's not characterised as a race so volunteers aren't looking out for infringements. Nowhere in the article does it suggest the volunteers haven't been doing their designated role. I would say it's pretty clear that, rather line PSH's conclusions, the only person being cheated is the cheater. In a "proper" race it would be different as you are affecting placings, possibly prizes, but that's all irrelevant in a parkrun. I think the saddest thing is RW have effectively forced PRHQ to make a DQ a thing now. I don't imagine it existed as a finish option before, though RDs or EDs can correct me.
In terms of the "feels like a race" I would argue that it would be difficult to encourage people to attend if they didn't get a time. The age grading is a function of your position within the grade, but clearly varies course to course, so is only really directly comparable on that day, in those conditions, on that course. Statistically significant in only a handful of parkruns and certainly not on my 80 strong local one. Would I mind if I didn't get a placing? Not at all.
I would also argue that it was more like a race in the early days and that line has been softened as the popularity increased. I suppose you come to a philosophical question - if you came home first two seconds outside your pb, or second, two seconds inside, which would make you happier? If it's the latter, you probably get parkrun.
Sounds like the first Black Combe parkrun (inside HMP Haverigg) was a success yesterday - there's a thread in the Event Directors fb group with some very positive feedback from the guys that set it up.
Surprisingly they say results will go up on the website (http://www.parkrun.org.uk/blackcombe/) - I was expecting it to be a closed/secret page, didn't think inmates would want to be named!
It's one that even the most determined tourists are unlikely to be able to do!
Surprisingly they say results will go up on the website (http://www.parkrun.org.uk/blackcombe/) - I was expecting it to be a closed/secret page, didn't think inmates would want to be named!
It's one that even the most determined tourists are unlikely to be able to do!
john2443 said:
Sounds like the first Black Combe parkrun (inside HMP Haverigg) was a success yesterday - there's a thread in the Event Directors fb group with some very positive feedback from the guys that set it up.
Surprisingly they say results will go up on the website (http://www.parkrun.org.uk/blackcombe/) - I was expecting it to be a closed/secret page, didn't think inmates would want to be named!
It's one that even the most determined tourists are unlikely to be able to do!
It is a great initiative. The thread in ED forum sounds like it went really well with a lot of positive feedback. No results up on their page though. Surprisingly they say results will go up on the website (http://www.parkrun.org.uk/blackcombe/) - I was expecting it to be a closed/secret page, didn't think inmates would want to be named!
It's one that even the most determined tourists are unlikely to be able to do!
Thanks to Madbadger on another thread within PH towers, I've found this thread. Good reading so far!
SWMBO is very much into parkrunning, since starting earlier this year she's managed 29 runs around 12 different courses. She also helps with the junior event in Aberdeen. Me? Not so involved but still have a keen interest. I'm a bit behind with 13 runs around 8 courses. My best age run is a bit of a rubbish 49%, but as they say it's not a race so I'm not particularly bovvered. You hear stories about members of running clubs purposely not getting their own barcodes scanned if they have a slow time. Get a life.
One question, next Sunday I have 10k, and had been thinking that I'd skip the Parkrun in preparation (with doing runs during the week though). Is that a wise idea? Or would it be an idea to do the run but at a slow pace?
SWMBO is very much into parkrunning, since starting earlier this year she's managed 29 runs around 12 different courses. She also helps with the junior event in Aberdeen. Me? Not so involved but still have a keen interest. I'm a bit behind with 13 runs around 8 courses. My best age run is a bit of a rubbish 49%, but as they say it's not a race so I'm not particularly bovvered. You hear stories about members of running clubs purposely not getting their own barcodes scanned if they have a slow time. Get a life.
One question, next Sunday I have 10k, and had been thinking that I'd skip the Parkrun in preparation (with doing runs during the week though). Is that a wise idea? Or would it be an idea to do the run but at a slow pace?
downthepub said:
My best age run is a bit of a rubbish 49%, but as they say it's not a race so I'm not particularly bovvered.
If you're happy at 49% then I don't think it particularly matters. We had 95 out of 440 yesterday who ran less than 50% so you're still ahead of lots of people!On the other hand we had a VW60 who did 91%
downthepub said:
You hear stories about members of running clubs purposely not getting their own barcodes scanned if they have a slow time. Get a life.
Yep. We have a guy who won't scan unless he gets a good (by his standards) time because it spoils his average. My average is all over the place, I sometimes tailwalk or jog round with a mate or pace. I care about PB but not about average.downthepub said:
One question, next Sunday I have 10k, and had been thinking that I'd skip the Parkrun in preparation (with doing runs during the week though). Is that a wise idea? Or would it be an idea to do the run but at a slow pace?
I don't run the day before a race - last week I was the jog/walk pacer at our parkrun (41 mins instead of my usual 23) because I was really trying for a PB on Sunday and didn't want to be at all tired when I started. Sometimes I put myself on the roster as Run Director the day before. We certainly notice that serious runners will volunteer the day before a race.If you intend to jog the 10k at comfortable pace then it probably doesn't matter what you do on Saturday but if you're going for the best time you can I'd say rest on Sat.
I do know people who insist on parkrunning before a race, but personally I wouldn't (someone will probably be along soon to suggest you do
)john2443 said:
I do know people who insist on parkrunning before a race, but personally I wouldn't (someone will probably be along soon to suggest you do )
I can do that! )Well, sort of. What I'd say is...it depends. On how much of an effort 5k is on any given day, what percentage of weekly volume 5k forms and how much of your longest run it amounts to, how hard you intend to race the 10k and how well you can trust yourself to ease back at Parkrun if need be.
If you're regularly doing much longer runs than 5k, with a decent weekly volume then it's a no brainer - unless you need 100/100th's of your effort potential for the 10k then I wouldn't rule it out. I'd look to run with someone you know will be much, much slower than you to stop yourself getting carried away but in your shoes, I'd do it.
However if it's a focus race where you want to give it your all, and/or 5k forms a decent chunk if your weekly mileage then maybe it'd be a good week to volunteer. Or have a lay in (I'll probably get crucified for suggesting that in this thread.)
tenohfive said:
I can do that!
Well, sort of. What I'd say is...it depends. On how much of an effort 5k is on any given day, what percentage of weekly volume 5k forms and how much of your longest run it amounts to, how hard you intend to race the 10k and how well you can trust yourself to ease back at Parkrun if need be.
If you're regularly doing much longer runs than 5k, with a decent weekly volume then it's a no brainer - unless you need 100/100th's of your effort potential for the 10k then I wouldn't rule it out. I'd look to run with someone you know will be much, much slower than you to stop yourself getting carried away but in your shoes, I'd do it.
However if it's a focus race where you want to give it your all, and/or 5k forms a decent chunk if your weekly mileage then maybe it'd be a good week to volunteer. Or have a lay in (I'll probably get crucified for suggesting that in this thread.)
This. For club runners doing 50,60,70+ miles a week 3 miles at 7:30-8min mile isn't really too much of a challenge.Well, sort of. What I'd say is...it depends. On how much of an effort 5k is on any given day, what percentage of weekly volume 5k forms and how much of your longest run it amounts to, how hard you intend to race the 10k and how well you can trust yourself to ease back at Parkrun if need be.
If you're regularly doing much longer runs than 5k, with a decent weekly volume then it's a no brainer - unless you need 100/100th's of your effort potential for the 10k then I wouldn't rule it out. I'd look to run with someone you know will be much, much slower than you to stop yourself getting carried away but in your shoes, I'd do it.
However if it's a focus race where you want to give it your all, and/or 5k forms a decent chunk if your weekly mileage then maybe it'd be a good week to volunteer. Or have a lay in (I'll probably get crucified for suggesting that in this thread.)
tenohfive said:
I can do that!
Well, sort of. What I'd say is...it depends. On how much of an effort 5k is on any given day, what percentage of weekly volume 5k forms
That's a good assessment - I only do about 20k a week so a 10k race is a big % and I def need a rest on Saturday! Well, sort of. What I'd say is...it depends. On how much of an effort 5k is on any given day, what percentage of weekly volume 5k forms
tenohfive said:
Or have a lay in (I'll probably get crucified for suggesting that in this thread.)
I don't see why you shouldn't lay in!I never do because I'm Event Director and have lots of friends there but I don't think everyone should be there every week, one of the good things is that you can dip in and out when you feel like it.
john2443 said:
madbadger said:
Also my 200th run to get in just before my 4th parkrun anniversary on the 23rd Nov.
That's pretty dedicated 52 weeks x 4 years, so you've only missed about 8 (or a few more allowing for Xmas/ NewYear)It took me 7 1/2 years to get 200 due to injury and Run Directing.
I do vaguely remember a time when weekends didn’t completely revolve around parkrun.
Holy crap
http://www.parkrun.org.uk/kingsburywater/results/l...
Official parkrun time of 13:00 but that seems to be some limit on parkruns systems and they're quoting his time as 12:23. That's a powerful dog he's got.
https://www.facebook.com/RobinsonCanicross/
http://www.parkrun.org.uk/kingsburywater/results/l...
Official parkrun time of 13:00 but that seems to be some limit on parkruns systems and they're quoting his time as 12:23. That's a powerful dog he's got.
https://www.facebook.com/RobinsonCanicross/
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