I have set myself the challenge of running all the 45 Greater London parkruns in one year for charity, this coming week is Wimbledon Common! Feel free to come and join me in one of my runs!
I am writing a blog about my adventure and as well raising money for charity want to try to promote parkrun as a great fun way to get into running!
https://mhatter67.wordpress.com
Twitter @mhatter67
thanks
Mark
Comments
Mark - good luck! Wimbledon is my home parkrun (unfortunately cant join you as I am injured). Just remember if it rains heavily wear trail shoes, it can be particularly muddy around the common!
all the best.
Hi,
Thanks for the advice I will keep that in mind, hope you get better soon may see you in the future in another one of my South London parkruns later in my adventure!
regards
Mark
I'm not a regular as such but I suppose there's an outside chance we might meet at Dulwich Park, Brockwell Park, Avery Hill (Greenwich), Hilly Fields, or Norman Park (Bromley). I think that covers all the ones I've done. Peckham Rye, Burgess Park and Danson Park (Bexley) all close by on my to-do list. If you want to know anything about any of them let me know. Good luck!
HI Phil,
here is my current schedule of parkruns run or upcoming this may well change but will keep this page updated!
https://mhatter67.wordpress.com/2016/06/06/blog-post-title/
I have run Dulwich park that will definitely be on my final list of best London parkruns to run of PB's on! Thanks may come back on tips to run the other parkrun that you mentioned though!
For the record I will be the one wearing a blue Keech Hospice vest running at the moment very slowly pace
best
Mark
Dulwich isn't my official "home" parkrun but is the one I've done most often, and my PB course. It won't surprise you that the others I've done are all slower courses, particularly Hilly Fields (the clue's in the name) - especially Christmas Day on a massive hangover.
Just reading your reviews so far, Southwark is also on my to-do list. And there's a definite possibility I'd be along for Peckham Rye. That's flat but a bit more twisty than Dulwich.
Looking forward to my personal 50th parkrun that will be the home of parkruns Bushy Park, but not organised a easy one before christmas as I have been told Crystal Palace is quite hilly!
My final London parkrun is a park in Edmonton then I am looking forward to a lay in on Saturdays again
The hardest part of the challenge is not the running of these events, traveling but trying to raise money for charity even though my local hospice is a very noble cause!
My other aim of this challenge is to promote parkrun as an excellent way into running and meeting people. Finally you are all welcome to my home parkrun that is Luton Wardown Park where you will receive an warm friendly welcome!
Mark, why not introduce yourself before the run at Wimbledon to Liam O'Hare, who is run directing this week? He could mention what you're doing...
Oh, and if you're driving, don't leave it to the last minute - the car park gets packed by about 8.45.
Hi Peter,
Every week I send a hi message to every upcoming parkrun on their Facebook page and twitter account and if I don't get a response that way I send an email to them directly through the parkrun volunteer email address!
All the parkrun directors have been very helpful and promote me on announcements before the start of the race, I don't probably want to be to pushy and ask them to mention that I have a donation page off my website!
i know that I should get a good sum at home locally but quite understandably the patrons of the parkruns that I am running don't know me so probably very weary to donate even if they were inclined to want too!
Thanks for the tip about parking I was going to park at the windmill museum car park and will probably arrive before 8:30am, are you running there this weekend?
best
Mark
You should pop back to oak hill and do the flat A course when you get a chance. That b course is not how we like to be remembered
Hi VDOT52,
you made me very welcome at Oak Hill, I have to smile though I am starting to believe that this challenge will never end, why
1. Run 2 parkruns now run on the tougher route B
2. Double booked myself on the 3rd September with the Spitfire 10k at Hendon thought it was a Sunday race
3. In fairness I will run Wormwood Scrubs again on this challenge schedule even though I run this course before!
4. I hear there is the potential of a new parkrun at Beckenham
Oh well onwards and upwards
Mark, I shall be there. 8.30 might be a tad early, but the weather's been good and attendances have been on the high side, so it's as well to get a parking space early if that's how you're coming. I'm sure Liam wouldn't mind announcing you, if only for the novelty value of your challenge, but if you're neither here nor there about it it's not a big deal. Stick around for a coffee if you have time. Beware: two Peter Collinses run this parkrun - I'm the older, slower one.
Peter,
thanks for the advice and yes it would be great to me up for a cuppa afterwards, this is what I try to do after every parkrun on the challenge, but last week was an exception as I run with a guest that I was not sure would want to stay on especially after being kind enough to drive!
I good running friend said to me, "the most important thing is being able to run and times are a mere bonus So dont worry how slow or fast you are mate!
Anyway look forward to seeing you on Saturday Peter!
Running is partly about times, but not always relative to the other runners...
Hi Peter,
it it was great to meet you today in person and tell Patrick it won't be long before he breaks 30 mins! Blog will be updated later for today's parkrun.
Anyway all the best,
Mark
Hi Peter,
Here is my update to my blog about today, thank you and everybody for making me feel part of your parkrun community, enjoy the post!
https://mhatter67.wordpress.com/2016/07/30/event-6-wimbledon-common/
best
Mark
To me it is meeting new people and running new parkrun courses, little bit worried about parking at Fulham next week though
Changed the word to run now
Best
Mark
Simple - park at Wimbledon and jog down Putney hill and over the bridge to Bishops Park. Only a few miles! I've left a message on your blog about who is in the photos.
Best
Mark
Here is my blog that accompanied my challenge,
http://mhatter67.wordpress.com
Best
Mark
What are you going to do on Saturdays now?
I'd think he may go for a Lie in Nessie ? ;-)
> Brilliant - well done!
>
> What are you going to do on Saturdays now?
Hi Nessie,
Thank you for your kind donation, I have one last parkrun this weekend at Ellenbrook Fields, Hatfield and finish my challenge next Saturday 24th at my homecoming parkrun at Luton, Wardown a year after I started my challenge, should be quite emotional!
Must admit my heart goes out to the people of London that what's happened to them in the last few months especially being treated very kindly by each weeks local parkrun community on this challenge
On a personal level just want to enjoy running and parkrunning, plus set myself the challenge of running 100 parkrun events at the moment on 53, but this will be done over 2 years!
Finally looking forward to my first lay in on Saturday in the first week in July
Best
Mark
best
Mark
Now going to complete the 3 new Greater London parkruns I still have to run with the total now being 53
Best
Mark