parkrun, lap two

robinph · 16-10-2021 8:32pm

First decent run with the dog this morning. The course has a slightly twisty start so was worried about getting tangled up with things in the melee, but all went OK and for the first time the dog actually pulled me for a good distance without me needing to run along side. By half way turn around was well in the lead, followed by another dog runner.

The other dog then pulled alongside on the return leg which caused a bit of a distraction, but diverted the attention from being distracted by people running the other way. Had to drop behind the other dog runner then as mine wouldn't stick to running in a straight line otherwise. But remained within the length of a lead of them until the last hundred meters...

... Then me and my dog got tangled around a lamppost, sorted that out, ran another 50 metres and the dog tried to have a drink from the water bowl outside the coffee shop, then eventually got across the line another 50 metres along.

But smashed my course PB was only 20 seconds off an overall PB from 7 years ago and finally broke the 80% age grade score. OK, so it's down in the results as assisted and its not really my PB and I'd never be able to get close to that even in perfect conditions running solo... But to have a tow around parkrun at speed rather than pushing a buggy through mud is awesome.

My legs were really struggling to keep up at point, but loved it. Never thought I'd have a dog or be running at speed with one and enjoying it.

donaghs · 23-10-2021 2:12pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118024912#Comment_118024912

Anyone try this today? If a lot of it is on grass, it could get fairly mucky between autumn and spring.

Reg'stoy · 23-10-2021 4:48pm

Did Poolbeg this morning....sneaky bast**ds never mentioned the 'hill'. Nice course and friendly volunteers.

Bravestaar · 23-10-2021 9:03pm

It's a bit crap that the New Years double is cancelled. It's up to people to be responsible for their own driving. I done it once actually on xmas day and I didn't have to drive violently to do it.

Bravestaar · 23-10-2021 9:04pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118014168#Comment_118014168

Parkrun or junior parkrun?

robinph · 23-10-2021 9:12pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118064024#Comment_118064024

Other than people getting their knickers in a twist about the recent Mini advert that parkrun retweeted, and a couple of daft New Years Doubles that on or two people did, the driving between events wasn't really the main motivation for getting rid of the doubles.

Just really huge numbers in a few limited events in populated parts of England. There was some potential locally to me for some big numbers in 2020, which ended up being the only New Year's double I ever did. But the events that could have created problems just made sure they all started at the same time so local doubles were not especially viable. There was a lot of events in one city starting at the same time and a bunch of events around another city starting at the other time, so people were dispersed among multiple events and not all heading to the same ones.

Pawwed Rig · 24-10-2021 1:14am

Darndale doesn't seem to have come back yet. Any word on them?

Have any others not returned?

Butterbeans · 24-10-2021 8:04am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118064912#Comment_118064912

I'm sure there's a few. Castletown in Celbridge not back yet, but they're getting a new core team in place.

chinguetti · 24-10-2021 11:00am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118065095#Comment_118065095

Tyrrellstown I think is another who are getting a new core team in place. Seems to be a good few parkruns around Dublin making regular appeals for volunteers each week so that does seem to be a problem for most. It seems to be the same in the UK from looking on social media.

Wubble Wubble · 24-10-2021 4:20pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118062383#Comment_118062383

I was there. A nice course, but purely for enjoyment as it's not one to chase Pbs on. First 900m plus (three laps) are on the grass, with a long c.700m drag up a service road to end the lap. The organisers say it's a temporary course, the plan being to change it some time after the Euro XC. Grass was ok yesterday, but when the winter weather kicks in it'll be tricky enough to negotiate.

opus · 26-10-2021 12:28pm

In Cork, the parkrun in Youghal (Pobalscoil na Tríonóide) had their inaugural successfully on Sat with 100 participants despite a nice cold, windy & wet day. Then on Sunday Cobh junior parkrun restarred & looking forward to see Ballincollig junior parkrun back next Sunday.

Bravestaar · 29-10-2021 10:31pm

Is there anywhere to find a list of each parkrun's number in order to pick one for the different challenges?

(I know there is but I can't remember where to find it)

Murph_D · 29-10-2021 10:35pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118092246#Comment_118092246

What number? What challenges? 🤔

DeepBlue · 29-10-2021 11:01pm

Event number for the Wilson Index I presume?

robinph · 29-10-2021 11:45pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118092246#Comment_118092246

I think this page should show you those details:

http://www.challenge-chaser.com/map

deisedude · 30-10-2021 10:48pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118074288#Comment_118074288

Did the new parkrun in Youghal today. Lovely course. Nice to have an option in East Cork

Housefree · 01-11-2021 12:53pm

Any word on Ballbriggan juniors? Where do you get info about what's happening? Nothing on Ballbriggans social media or Parkrun page

DeepBlue · 01-11-2021 1:27pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118101254#Comment_118101254

Email them and ask I guess - balbriggan-juniors@parkrun.com

Nuttzz · 01-11-2021 5:57pm

New parkrun in Tullamore, along the canal, a bit of an incline for the first half of the run. About 50 odd runners a week so far, a bit surprised at that considering the size of Tullamore harriers, I would have thought that there would be a strong presence from that club

Pherekydes · 01-11-2021 6:52pm

Catherina McKiernan ran a new female course record and an age grade record at Griffeen on Saturday.

She took a nice chunk, 34 seconds, running 17:38, off the record and that equated to over 96% age grade.

Dub13 · 07-11-2021 8:26pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118064912#Comment_118064912

The put something up on facebook last week saying looking to be back at the end of the month.

diceyreilly · 07-11-2021 11:15pm

https://www.parkrun.ie/special-events/

TCDStudent1 · 08-11-2021 4:46pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118103312#Comment_118103312

I think Griffeen changed their route recently due to a new bridge which they felt wasn't suitable for the amount of runners they get. Maybe that played a part in the 34 seconds. But also maybe not.

Pherekydes · 08-11-2021 11:21pm

I don't think the new course is faster, per se, it's just a bit more comfortable. The new bridge, whilst considered aesthetically pleasing, is too narrow.

Pawwed Rig · 13-11-2021 11:32pm

A question for all the RDs.

Are you finding it harder to get volunteers post covid? It is something I have seen mentioned at my local one aswell as a few I follow on facebook.

robinph · 13-11-2021 11:56pm

I've certainly seen more requests from a few of our local events than we used to see before, and our nearby juniors seems to be really struggling and cancels every third week or so at the moment. That's a big shame as its one of the busier juniors around here yet struggling with getting the marshal numbers.

Duzzie · 14-11-2021 9:24am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118162976#Comment_118162976

My local parkrun seems to be doing ok with volunteers. Most weeks we seem to be able to fill the roster without putting out any requests, certainly less than would have been put out pre Covid. Also getting quite a few new volunteers, which is reassuring to see.

Murph_D · 14-11-2021 9:29am

The two junior events I’ve been involved with have always stuggled to fill the roster in advance. It has almost always been OK on the day but parents are much more reluctant to commit in advance, it seems.

chinguetti · 14-11-2021 10:37am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118162976#Comment_118162976

Yes, we were close to pulling the plug on Friday night as we were short alot of volunteers who had to drop out for various reasons. It nearly the same people each week and when you ask people, they come up with daft excuses like I'm not here next week (and then show up for the next few weeks!). One of the RDs asked someone one week if they could volunteer, they were met by the answer 'no, I can't until I make my 100th'. When asked who many they had to go, they were 45 runs short!! RD yesterday gave a good rant at the briefing yesterday so we are nearly full for the next two weeks but some people are just beyond me why they won't volunteer even once to help out - grinds my gears!

The Black Oil · 14-11-2021 10:58am

Can't speak from an RD perspective. Noticed the roster has looked sparse on some Friday evenings or afternoons (tokens, scanners). When the ED was RD a few weeks ago and mentioned potential cancellation, that definitely had an impact.

robinph · 14-11-2021 11:03am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118163709#Comment_118163709

I'd committed in advance for this morning. Nearly all fell apart as the kid decided to have a meltdown and refused to leave the house.

Kids make things very difficult. :)

Pawwed Rig · 14-11-2021 11:10am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118163846#Comment_118163846

I have never heard of RDs approaching individuals about volunteering. Normally just a general shout out No?

It does annoy me when I see stats of people with 40+ runs and 0 volunteer credits.

Big issue when the same people are being relied on every week as they never actually get to run out of a misguided sense of obligation to help out. If the volunteer isn't getting anything out of it then long term they won't be there.

I wonder have the amount of roles expanded too much though. My local now needs around 40 volunteers to run. Seems like too much to me (not to say they aren't needed)

ger664 · 14-11-2021 12:21pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118163924#Comment_118163924

We have not had an issue with the roster full on Tuesday/Wednesday.

RD/ED are under no obligation to time the run they just have to ensure it can run in a safe manner. So you only need RD, Marshalls and Tail walkers for it to go ahead. A non timed run has more impact than a cancelation as regards get people to cop on that they need to volunteer.

Juniors are obviously a different scenario as more Marshals would be required.

Duzzie · 14-11-2021 1:49pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118164144#Comment_118164144

Absolutely. I pulled the timekeepers on a pre Covid parkrun due to a lack of volunteers. Everyone got 59:59. I wasn't very popular but had full rosters without much asking for the next month.

chinguetti · 14-11-2021 1:53pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118163924#Comment_118163924

That person was asked while they were standing around in a group after parkrun when they wouldn't move from away from the finish as mentioned in the briefing. We only ask in the briefing, social media posts or when groups are standing around at the finish at they move quick when they're asked to help out!

Pawwed Rig · 14-11-2021 4:06pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118164423#Comment_118164423

Hahaha love it

Murph_D · 15-11-2021 12:49am

There are two types of parkrunner. The other doesn’t.

Sunny Dayz · 15-11-2021 11:14am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118162976#Comment_118162976

One of my local parkruns seems to have to do a big call out every couple of weeks. They say that they have an empty roster and if they don't get volunteers they won't be going ahead. Then people come forward and volunteer as having not had parkrun for 18 months they don't want it to stop. But it seems like collectively they have to be asked/begged to help out rather than putting themselves forward to help every so often. Which is a little disappointing to see. I have noticed that people who used to volunteer quite a lot don't really anymore (probably myself included as before covid I found a lot of weeks I was sacrificing my run at 9:15 as they were short on help) and others who didn't really help much are volunteering more and trying different roles.

TCDStudent1 · 15-11-2021 12:40pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118164144#Comment_118164144

Do you need tail walkers? I have definitely been at park runs without tail walkers.

robinph · 15-11-2021 12:42pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118168800#Comment_118168800

Tail marshals are one of the few definitely needed roles and under the current rules from HQ the event cannot happen without someone in the role.

Going back a good number of years they would have been optional though, but have been a requirement for several years now.

robinph · 15-11-2021 12:45pm

There is one relatively recent event in the US where numbers were so low that the first finisher was also the tail, and I think they may also have marked themselves down as timer and RD on some days as well. That event isn't anymore though despite valiant efforts by the ED to keep it going.

Pawwed Rig · 15-11-2021 2:53pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118168800#Comment_118168800

The RD can just run behind for 500m and toss the orange bib at whoever is last at that point ;)

opus · 15-11-2021 5:28pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118096149#Comment_118096149

Had my first visit there last Sat, not the most interesting of courses but absolutely perfect for parkrun being runner/walker/buggy friendly. Good facilities & an enthusiastic team, what more could you ask for.

Bravestaar · 18-11-2021 9:36am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118163924#Comment_118163924

How could a parkrun need 40 volunteers?

I offered to volunteer three times in the last few weeks at different events and was told they were full. I then volunteered at a few junior parkruns, the more volunteers the better for those.

robinph · 18-11-2021 10:07am

All depends on the course, how many parkrunners they get, parking situations, how many non parkrunners are likely to be around. There are very simple courses near me which need only one marshal to tell you to turn around at the far end, but there are zero non parkrunners and zero chances of going the wrong way, but other nearly as simple courses which need about 10-15 marshals along the course. Then another which is by far the most complicated course in parkrun world, that could really manage without any course marshals but they have a couple just for effect I think as despite it being complicated it's also impossible to go wrong and you are never more than 400m from the start/finish and can be seen at all times.

Then have a look at the finish funnel for Bushy in London and you see the they need a multitude of marshals just to manage that bit before you even get your finish token.

Pawwed Rig · 18-11-2021 10:12am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118184421#Comment_118184421

There were 55 volunteers at St Anne's last Saturday. This was higher than normal as Piranha Tri club were doing some kind of event but in general the ask for volunteers is high at the run for a variety of reasons.

All of my volunteering is at junior parkrun these days. My kids are running anyway so me and Mrs volunteer every week