We headed to Birmingham for a gap in my floating Wilson and one of my NENDYs. Edgbaston Reservoir parkrun is in Ladywood, which is where I used to live when I lost my brother in a road traffic accident.
Edgbaston Reservoir, 115 Reservoir Road, Ladywood, Birmingham, B16 9EE.
Facilities at Edgbaston Reservoir parkrun
Easily to access from Birmingham City Centre on foot. Also by bus or train.
Parking at Edgbaston Reservoir parkrun
There aren’t any designated parking facilities at Edgbaston Reservoir parkrun. However, there was plenty of free parking on local roads, right by the start.
This also means you could also easily walk to Birmingham City Centre!
Cafe
There’s a cafe right by where we parked and not far from the start. Although, in the end we opted not to have anything.
No toilets.
Course at Edgbaston Reservoir parkrun
Nice simple two laps around the reservoir. The ONLY real thing people REALLY needed to do was NOT go through the big gate on EITHER lap. This was too much of an instruction for a lot of the people around me.
There are several hazards, especially in the pinch points. Plus, due to the weather, there were big puddles.
Primarily paved but some gravel. There’s parts that are a bit uneven for the visually impaired (but nothing major).
Our Experience at Edgbaston Reservoir parkrun
Volunteering
When I checked the volunteer roster it was looking pretty empty. To the point I was surprised it wasn’t cancelled. In fact it looked the same for the following week!
This year I’m trying to get my Platinum obsessive this year so I need to not miss any (in a running/walking capacity). See parkrun stats and challenges.
However, at the briefing my husband volunteered himself. Despite the fact it was cold and wet (it also rained whilst I was running). Plus he was just in his running kit.
He said that he got so many thank yous. And just loved how friendly it was.
Running
There was a young girl right at the front who looked like she meant business. Plus people were warming up and had “the shoes” so I figured it was going to be a fast one.
Even though I’d moved back further than usual, I did start too fast. Plus I still wasn’t 100% back to good health. Needless to say I ended up walking quite a bit.
There was one man in particular who tried to encourage me around. But he stopped to sort a stone in his shoe – so I lost him.
Finishing
Right near the end a lady who was keeping me going without knowing started slowing. As I overtook her I offered her some encouragement.
When I gave up and walked and she went in front of me she said it was her turn to encourage me.
Near the finish (but actually further than I normally would) someone sped up and so I did too. Somehow I managed to keep going until the end.
People behind me did congratulate me on my finish once they got their breath back too! Plus quite a few people commented on how brave I was running in just a sports top and skort (I was still too hot).
Stats Event 209 at Edgbaston Reservoir parkrun
- Thank you to the 20 volunteers
- 284 participants
- 17:10-57:26
- First Lady Sarah in a time of 21:04 (SW30-34).
- Local guy Freddy in 2nd place in a time of 17:12. He had the highest age grading of 83.04% (VM45-49). We met him when I completed the last of the letters in the UK for my alphabet!
- Highest lady’s age grade Carol 78.64% (VW50-54)
- 33 PBs
- 199 sub 30
- 10 people did their very first parkrun and there were a further 76 parkrun tourists
Other parkruns nearby we have done:
Cannon Hill parkrun (2.3m), Woodgate Valley Country Park parkrun (3.5m), Perry Hall parkrun (3.5m), Sandwell Valley parkrun (3.5m), Oaklands parkrun (5.0m), Brunswick Park parkrun (6.3m), Sutton Park parkrun (6.9m), Walsall Arboretum parkrun (7.7m), Babbs Mill parkrun (8.1m), Dudley parkrun (8.4m)
Visit these other bloggers who cover parkrun: Sarah at Mum of Three World, Jackie at Never Imitate and Chrissy at It’s Me Chrissy J