We headed to Oxford parkrun for our son’s 200th – this was to do with the mathematical connection as their event was a number in the Fibonacci sequence! It also happened to be another parkrun PB for myself thanks to the kindness of a couple of strangers.
Cutteslowe and Sunnymead Park, North Oxford
About Oxford parkrun
Thank you to the 36 Hi–Vis heroes this week at Oxford parkrun. They were a huge part of putting on such a wonderful event. Overall it was very friendly and definitely one I would recommend.
Oxford parkrun is just over 2 miles away from Oxford University (and University Parks parkrun).
Facilities at Oxford parkrun
Parking
There are two car parks, it apparently doesn’t matter which one you park in. They are pay and display but charges only come into effect after 10am. We parked at the northern end of the park off Harbord Road (OX2 8LH). The speed limit on Harbord Road is 20mph (although there seemed to be both a 20mph and 30mph sign).
There were lots of hi-vis volunteers directing you on the way in, and telling you where to park. However, on the way out (probably about 9:40) it was quite chaotic! The other carpark is south, off the A40 heading towards Headington (OX2 7XD).
Toilets
Toilets are available on the side of the Top Pavilion and by the San Remo Cafe. We used the toilets by the Top Pavilion, accessible up some steps. Another lady reassured me that it wasn’t just me who couldn’t get the toilet to flush very well!
What’s Special About Oxford parkrun
Oxford parkrun has a lovely railway line and a miniature railway.
They also have lots of bibs for various celebrations such as milestones and birthdays!
Course at Oxford parkrun
Honestly unless you are super-duper fast I would really go with the advice of following the people in front! Remembering that the summer course has two laps and the winter has three. We did the 3 winter course. See Sarah’s Oxford parkrun blog about the Summer course.
Note the parkrun sign (with “start”) on the other side, is where everyone met for the briefing and bib collecting. But the actual start was in a different location (visible from there) marked with a flag.
The start was a bit like Bushy parkrun – where everyone was spread across horizontally on the field – all charging off and then merging together. It explained a bit why people who were clearly not front runners were right at the start!
It’s not flat! Not the hilliest of courses but there’s definitely an up near the end of each lap. This is near the mini railway I believe – honestly I was just trying to keep on going! However, this also means not far from the start of every loop is a wonderful downhill too!
There are a few narrow bits and you have to be mindful of other park users. Course description says keep left and overtake on the right, as did the first timers briefing. Like driving a car, she said. This makes sense as the finish splits off to the right – across the grass.
My Experience at Oxford parkrun
My experience at Oxford parkrun was fantastic. The RD very welcoming and even remembered that I was a bit cold at the start, saying, “I bet you’re not cold now,” at the finish. Nice mention for our son for his 200th in the main briefing. He did not want to wear a bib so not sure if they have one for 200.
Despite the fact that people seemed to start everywhere I set off well. Although a quick look to my left could see such an incredible sight of so many runners so far away so quickly! Definitely a fast start!
I first felt like giving up when the birthday kid went zooming past and then said to his adult about slowing down.
However, I kept on going. Just before 3km though I decided that I would walk a little bit and my husband and youngest overtook me. He finished in an impressive 27:14 but I knew he had more speed in him – his PB being 23:32 at Oxford parkrun!
The Helpful Stranger
At around the 4ish km mark the guy I was trying to keep going behind started slowing down. Told him not to give up, that he was helping me get my PB. He asked what time that was and then really helped me. I did walk once again on a bit of an uphill bit but managed my sprint finish. Thank you so very much if you happen to be that man reading this!
There was another guy this time, right in front of me before the finish funnel. I kept telling him to keep going, that we were going to get me a PB. He thanked me at the end and said that he had enjoyed that. Indeed I did get a parkrun PB. Just short of 5k, my fault as I had taken part of the course short (there were two ways round and I knew I had opted for the path not the arrows!). Now I have a time of 26m 13s to beat!
Oxford parkrun Stats
- 423 participants with times ranging from 17:01-1:01:49.
- 239 male, 171 female and 13 unknown.
- With the first female finisher in the age JW15-17 age category in a time of 19:28.
- 12 first timers to parkrun and 40 tourists.
- 57 PBs at Oxford parkrun – overall parkrun PBs for tourists are not visible such as mine.
- 265 sub 30
Youngsters
J10
- 4 of the 6 JM10 had age gradings of 60% and above
- 2 of the 3 JW10 had an age grade of 59.5% and above.
J11
- All 13 of the JM11 finished in sub30. 3 of which had an age grading of 70% and above. A further 8 had age gradings over 60%.
- 1 of the 3 JW11 finished in sub 30 and had an age grading of 72.74%.
J15-17
- 9 of the 11 JM15-17 finished in sub 30. 3 of which had an age grade over 70%, a further 4 with over 60%.
- 2 of the 3 JW15-17 finished in sub 30, both of which had age gradings over 70%.
Over 60s
There were 97 over 60s. 55 of which finished sub 30.
Males
67 Males over 60. 46 of which finished sub 30.
- 35 VM60-64 – 28 of whom finished in sub 30. 5 with an age grade over 70% and further 14 over 60%.
- 17 VM65-69. 10 sub 30. 1 over 70% and a further 9 over 60%.
- 10 VM70-74 – 3 sub 30. One age grade of 83.41% and 2 in the 60s.
- 2 VM75-79.
- 3 VM80-84.
Females
30 females over 60. 9 finishing sub 30.
- 20 VW60-64 – 7 of which were sub 30. One with an age grade of 84.90%, further 3 over 70% and 7 more over 60%.
- 4 VW-65-69, 1 sub 30 with an age grade of 79.06%.
- 4 VW70-74. One age grading of 67.46%.
- 2 VW75-79. One of whom was sub 30 (28:35) with an age grading of 91.37% – the other the tail walker (with a PB of 28:13).
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