We ran our first Park Run a little over a year ago. My friend, Alison, used to participate in Brisbane when the children were babies although where she got the energy from in those days, I’ll never know. Then, last year when we visited them in Bristol and thoroughly enjoyed the experience at the Kings Weston Junior Park Run (4-14 years).
That first Park Run Jasper surprised everyone by pumping out a couple of kilometers in almost no time and going head to head with Miranda. Now, a year later, he has a couple of mini triathlons under his belt and his first cross country competition coming up.
Still, we’re in the car on the way to Ittihad Park on The Palm for the Cigna Park Run and he’s not sure about the 5kms. “I think you can do it” I encourage him. We’re expecting parking to be a challenge but in the end it’s easy. There aren’t any signs up so we’re not sure whether to head one way or the other to find the registration desk. A couple of ladies come jogging our way. They haven’t come past the desk yet so we turn around and follow them. Before too long we can hear the crowd and not long after we find the registration desk and the starting line. The announcements and noise of the crowd creates a hum of anticipation, even at this hour. By now I can’t complain too much. It’s nearly 8am and there are people everywhere.
“Where’s Jasper?”, I realize he’s missing from sight but in fact, he’s taken off to the front of the crowd. It’s not too long before the countdown begins and the organizers call the start. Jasper is nowhere to be seen.
Harley takes off as the runners start moving and I’m impressed with his pack and enthusiasm for the first 100m. Then he gets a stitch and the next 2400m isn’t so smooth. We spot Jasper having already rounded the corner of the track and he picks up pace a bit as he hears us shouting out encouragement. He has 2 laps to complete whilst we will do one. We keep Harley moving by doing some running to the next flag along the circuit and alternating with a walk.
When the novelty of that wears off we try chasing shadows – he has to try and step on the shadow of our heads – apparently this is hilarious. We swap this over too but apparently I don’t manage to catch him. There are some work out stations and play grounds along the way which we promise to check out afterwards.
In the end the lap is over rather quickly and we mingle around to see what games and promotions are happening. Harley holds a yoga pose for a prize and we do some hula hooping and a quick sack race.
Jasper finishes only a few minutes after we do, completing the 5km in 31mins.
By now the park is full, we have a play and enjoy the buzz of the morning before we decide to head off home for a healthy breakfast and perhaps a coffee. What a nice way to start a Saturday morning.
Good To Know
Park Runs are generally free or subject to a small registration fee. Check it out at parkrun.com
Would I Return?
Yes. We’re registered now and there are more challenges ahead. It’s a surprisingly invigorating way to spend a morning. Perhaps that’s what Alison had discovered years ago.