{"id":33918,"date":"2025-03-12T12:25:12","date_gmt":"2025-03-12T11:25:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/blog\/?p=33918"},"modified":"2025-03-12T12:28:10","modified_gmt":"2025-03-12T11:28:10","slug":"university-parks-parkrun-boomerang-in-more-ways-than-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/54.155.211.39\/blog\/2025\/03\/12\/university-parks-parkrun-boomerang-in-more-ways-than-one\/","title":{"rendered":"University Parks parkrun – Boomerang in More Ways than One"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Previously when I attended University Parks parkrun<\/a> I had gone with a friend. We were Parkwalkers and had gone to just generally tick off a U. When I was there I was gutted that the boys weren\u2019t with me as it was a fast one – so knew that it was one to return to. Plus it would mean that they would also get a U for their Alphabeteer challenges! But it was actually a Boomerang<\/a> that was the deciding factor on returning.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"University<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Getting There, Parking and Toilets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Last time we ended up paying a lot for parking and missing the start. This time we left in time to park, collect the Boomerang and go to the toilet. Although, this did mean I missed the first timer\u2019s briefing but the boys filled me in. Also there was soap but no water at the toilets – stupidly I found this out after getting soap all over my hands!<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Dragon<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

We parked near the Dragon School and it was easy to find from there. Originally we were going to go to a parkrun<\/a> in Wales as it was St David\u2019s Day so loved that there was a little nod to the occasion!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My Experience Returning to University Parks parkrun<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was a beautiful day to be in the park – with the sun shining but it being not too warm. The course was clearly marked and it was nice and easy to see where the finish was.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Beautiful<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The Start<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the start it was really busy, but they gave us plenty of time to move into position. People weren\u2019t quiet and I gave up on trying to listen to the Run Briefing. In fact when we were asked to move into position I thought we had started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There was a whiteboard it said that the Boomerang came from Newport, and that other tourists from Coventry, Lytham Hall (Lancs), Whitehaven (Cumbria), Bournemouth and of course Gloucestershire.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"tourist<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Personally I think that people should to move to the front in order of when their time is (like all the 16 minuters go first, then the 17 and so on) – because it was just not possible to get passed everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Run<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Somehow I ended up optimistically by the 25 minutes but they were much slower and we walked for quite a bit to get going.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Pinkoddy<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

It was lovely people noticing the Boomerang – especially the person who I was trying to keep up with right at the end. It was like suddenly us struggling to breathe was no longer a thing and we were just able to chat about it!<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"University<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

At the end it was a double funnel finish – which I hadn\u2019t experienced last time as they must have packed it away.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"double<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Last time my time was 57m 41s. This time 27m 35s – so quite the PB!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

University Parks parkrun Stats Event 158<\/h2>\n\n\n\n