{"id":34716,"date":"2025-10-13T07:29:01","date_gmt":"2025-10-13T06:29:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/blog\/?p=34716"},"modified":"2025-10-13T07:29:03","modified_gmt":"2025-10-13T06:29:03","slug":"woodgate-valley-country-parkrun-the-one-with-horsey-hill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/54.155.211.39\/blog\/2025\/10\/13\/woodgate-valley-country-parkrun-the-one-with-horsey-hill\/","title":{"rendered":"Woodgate Valley Country parkrun – The One With Horsey Hill"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We headed to Woodgate Valley Country parkrun<\/a> despite the fact that we knew the founder of parkrun, Paul Sinton-Hewitt was going to be at Cirencester parkrun. There were two reasons for this. One being that without going abroad for yet another extra day I wouldn\u2019t get my Cowell by the end of the year. Secondly, because this parkrun is near where I experienced domestic violence. With the abuser potentially being nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n

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

Woodgate Valley Country Park, Clapgate Lane, Bartley Green, Birmingham, B32 3DS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Facilities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are currently no open toilets at Woodgate Valley Country Park parkrun. However, there is a free carpark and play area.<\/p>\n\n\n

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

Please note that the finish is near to where the carpark is. <\/strong>There is a sign directing you, and a bit of a walk to the start. Thankfully a kind volunteer took our bag of waters bag up Horsey Hill with them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is also where you will find the Woodgate Valley Park parkrun sign. At the end there was a lot of people around it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also get there by the number 23 bus or by walking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Course at Woodgate Valley Country Park parkrun<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first timers briefing was really brief in its description as it is a relative simple course. Lovely gentle downhill for 2km. Followed by the \u201cBonnie Tyler Turnaround.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n

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

Unfortunately, it\u2019s then 2km back up that gentle hill! If that wasn\u2019t enough there\u2019s an even steeper \u201chorsey hill.\u201d Thankfully the end is a horseshoe shape of around the field. This is a left turn at the top of the hill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the field at the end, the course is on solid hard paths. The weather had been good so it was all dry when we went.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a no dogs<\/strong> course. It can be quite narrow in places and we were asked to keep left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My Experience of at Woodgate Valley Country Park parkrun<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As always such lovely volunteers. As I have already mentioned, a lady kindly took our water back up. But there was lots of praising milestones, DofE<\/a> participants and a very special mention to the RD on 250 volunteers. He got a poem and a badge for it!<\/p>\n\n\n

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

As I said I was worried about being in the area. There\u2019s absolutely no reason why he should have been at a parkrun but still my husband stayed with me the whole time. Of course I ran too quickly, then slowed down! Walked a lot and of course a sprint finish at the end!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My Stats<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Finishing in 27:27. Not bad considering the hills, the fact I took photos, oh and walked a lot! Fifth in my age category out of 14. First in my age was an incredible 22:09.<\/p>\n\n\n

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

Our Boys<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the boys hung on in third place until the hill. But he came 5th<\/sup> and 1st<\/sup> in his age category. It was his first time in the 18-19s. Okay he was the only one! This also meant that he didn\u2019t share an age group with his brother, so he was also able to come first in his age category. At least there were two!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Woodgate Valley Country Park parkrun Stats – Event 208<\/h2>\n\n\n\n