I am trying to find out if there is enough interest to set up a Parkrun in Derby?
Derby is a big city not to have one, and I am thinking of Markeaton Park for those of you that know the area.
I am waiting to hear back from the Parkrun organisers, but am just putting some feelers out there.
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Hi Andy,
I'd definitely be interested in this. I'm at Darley Dale, near Matlock.
I currently run in Darley Park, but would happily swap to Markeaton if it was early enough to avoid the crowds in summer.
I love the idea of a local park run.
Can't really think of a flat course for Darley though - you'd have to start at the cafe and run up the hilly bit to the gate and then down past the rowing clubs over the bridge and do a loop of Darley Fields. The grass down by the river is probably too soft in this weather just to run along the park.
What would your Markeaton route be Andy ?
I am sure many at Hanley Parkrun (Stoke) would welcome another parkrun locally for a change of scenery.
The man who organises the North parkruns was at Hanley last week. He also visited a possible site in Leek and Congleton whilst here.
That would be Tom Williams who's now UK Country Manager for parkrun.
As regards Derby, if you build it, they will come I'd suggest contacting the local running clubs and you'll probably come up with a few core volunteers who are actually experienced at organising races.
I'd also strongly recommend you try to design a route where course directions can be covered by signs rather than marshalls - that way you need a lot less volunteers, and the runners get used to finding their own way. If you have marshalls and one week you're short of volunteers and have marshalls missing you'll be amazed how many people will get lost because they're so used to being told when to turn they've never bothered to actually pay attention to the route. We have no marshalls at all on our course, just signs, and as a result we can comfortably handle 300+ runners each week with just 7 or 8 volunteers, and could probably get away with as few as 5. Finding 7 or 8 has never been a problem, but I suspect finding 15 or 16 per week as we would have to if we had marshals would be much more difficult, particularly when we were starting up.
Where do you organise BOTF?
Hanley only gets 50 at the mo but I think the infrasturcture is there and it is about to take off with the clubs, who bar a couple have been anonymous.
definate interest from me. Do loads of running round Derby area. Elvaston Castle another area to consider? Really flat with plenty of pathways/riverside path/Rayneway area to create the distances. Never looked into these Park Runs to be honest, are we talking off road only?
Think ill be offroading around Allestree this weekend as well so will suss that area out.
Keep us posted Andy
well Elvaston definetely has that. Is used as part of Tara Kinder and Sinfin10k organised runs plus big public car park. Never gets mudded up but has tarmac, compacted park paths and tracks and sounds ideal.
Complete loop around the edge of the park is just over 6 mile with plenty of other options for inner routes as well.
Allestree - nice park for running cross country loops but not sure you would get a park run in - I suppose if you started from the car park off the A6 and ran down and round the lake path then in dry weather you could maybe loop round the grass and do another lap of the lake ? Don't think there's anything else round Allestree - I grew up there and can't think of owt.
Elvaston Castle has excellent potential and doesn't get too busy - close to the A50 and A52 too. A loop from the car park round the grounds is almost bang on 5K. Only issue would be other users (dog walkers, cyclist, horseriders).
Alvaston Park might work too if it goes down by the river. It has a car park and cafe also but busy on a Saturday morning with football and BMX.
I live next to Allestree Park and would agree it is too small plus the A6 is a busy road which would need crossing to get the distance. Small car park and no cafe.
Darley Abbey might work but it's extremely busy (even this morning) on a Saturday morning with dog walkers, BMF and Derby Rowing Club.
I would defintely be interested in a Derby parkrun as travelling to Conkers is just a little bit too far to make me go every week.
How about Shipley Park in Heanor as a venue?
Does anybody know if there is anybody planning ojn setting up a parkrun is Derby?
I'm sure there was mention of a forthcoming Derby parkrun on the Marathon Talk podcast recently. Just trying to find information on it myself.
Hope a parkrun does get set up. I've suggested a Long Eaton one to the parkrun people but no response so far. It's a 30 min drive to conkers or nottingham for me so a closer one for some 5k challenges would be great.
Elvaston has my vote (or Long Eaton of course )
Anywhere closer that Conkers or Nottingham would be good
What about using a route similar to the Colin Potter 10k - there has to be scope to do one on Darley Fields, maybe use Chester Green too - is a short section on pavement a total no no ?
Elvaston Castle could attract people from the western parts of Nottingham too - the Nottingham Park Run is on the eastern side of the city.
Ooh - exciting!
Great - any clues to the route ?