Hilly Fields parkrun celebrated its 12th birthday this week, and over that time it’s become a very special part of local life for many people. If you are looking for a fun, supportive, community-driven way to stay or become active maybe it’s for you too?
Parkrun is a series of free, weekly, timed 5k runs that take place in parks all around the world. Every Saturday morning at 9am, parkrun welcomes participants of all levels, from elite runners to casual walkers. If you're nervous about competing, don't be - parkrun is not a race, there is no time limit and no one finishes last. It's about setting your own goals, staying active, and enjoying the experience.
Get started
Register online at the parkrun website. You’ll be given a unique barcode that you can print or bring digitally. This barcode will be scanned at the end of each run to record your time.
Find a local parkrun using the event locator. We are lucky here in South East London to have a huge range of different parkruns we can easily reach, not just on Hilly Fields.
Show up at 8:50am for the first timer briefing (or just follow everyone else…)
Ways to approach your first parkrun
If you are comfortable running 5k and it's a distance you complete regularly then set off at your own pace. Try not to start too fast!
If running 5k is a challenge for you then plan to walk sections, and then start running again. Pre-plan which bits you’ll walk and when you’ll restart running to make it easier to pick up the pace when you want to. You can base these changes between running and walking on time, distance or features on the route.
Manage your effort on the hills. Ideally drop your pace enough so that you can keep or restart running at the top and over into the downhill section. Walking all or part of a hill is often a really efficient strategy.
It’s not necessary to complete the whole 5k on your first parkrun. You could stop after 3k or 4k and next time you could plan to go a little further.
If a hilly parkrun seems too daunting a way to begin then try one of our local flat parkruns such as Dulwich Park, Sutcliffe Park, or Peckham Rye.
parkrun is also parkwalk! Lots of participants walk the whole course, including the tail walker volunteers so you will have plenty of company walking and won't be left behind however much of the route you walk.
Parkrun helps you set and track your goals
Another great aspect of parkrun is that it allows you to track your progress over time. With each run or walk, your time is recorded, stored in the parkrun database and emailed to you after the event. This is really helpful in setting personal goals and working to improve your performance week by week. Whether you’re aiming to run or walk the full 5k without stopping, beat your personal best, or simply complete the course, this data is a great way to stay motivated.
Volunteer at parkrun
Volunteering is a great way to give back to parkrun and the local community, and it's open to everyone, even if you’re not a runner. Every parkrun event relies on volunteers to help it run smoothly, and there are plenty of roles to fill. For those with injuries who can’t participate by running or walking it can be hugely helpful to stay connected with a running community, which is an important part of navigating your way to recovery.
Here’s how you can help:
Timekeeper: Track runners' times as they cross the finish line.
Marshal: Stand at key points along the course to cheer participants on and help guide them.
Barcode Scanning: Scan participants' barcodes at the end of the run to record their times.
Tail Walker: Walk at the back of the group to ensure everyone finishes safely. This role is perfect for those who want to be part of the event but prefer a more relaxed pace.
Junior parkrun
Hilly Fields also has a junior parkrun at 9am on Sunday mornings with a 2k course for children aged 4 to 14. It’s hugely inspiring and again relies on volunteers to make it happen.
Go on, get involved!
Whether you want to run, walk, volunteer, or cheer from the sidelines, there’s a place for you at parkrun. It’s a welcoming, inclusive event that is hugely supportive and a great way to become more active, boost your running and find a community. Hope to see you there sometime!
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