50 Different parkrun Venues

It may not be an official milestone, but ticking off my 50th different parkrun venue feels like a big deal for me.  Since we started running, nearly 7 years ago, one of the things Rory and I have enjoyed about it most is discovering different parkrun courses, particularly during a weekend away.  We love the whole ritual of a Saturday morning run followed by a cracking breakfast.  I'm currently in the process of getting my venues printed on the back of my parkrun 50 T-shirt. 

I think it's only right that I should look back on all these parkrun locations and mention the ones that stand out for me.  First of all, what were the most scenic ones?  Without a doubt, Fountains Abbey would top my list, closely followed by Conwy and Sewerby.  Fountains Abbey has dramatic ruins and beautiful water gardens, Conwy is an out and back along the river bank with a diversion that offers views of the stunning castle, and Sewerby's  one lap course offers lots of variety - cliff top views of the sea, woodland trails and a stately home.  It reminded me of many happy childhood holidays in Bridlington.  

Which ones would I say were the most challenging?  I would have to nominate Barnsley, Sheffield Castle, Graves and Temple Newsam for that, although I'm sure there are others that nearly killed me at the time!  How about the ones that I would describe as unusual and/or special?  I would have to say Bushy Park, for the whole pilgrimage experience, but would also give a nod to Crosby, because the Antony Gormley sculptures along the beach make it so unique and I had wanted to see them for so long.  Huddersfield will always have a special place in my heart, of course, because it was where it all began for us, and I will always think of Fell Foot rather fondly, because I associate it with birthday weekends away in the Lakes and a post-run paddle on the banks of Windermere.  

I've loved them all really, no matter whether they are hideously hilly or flat and monotonous, whether I ran them in rain, sleet or in brilliant sunshine and regardless of whether I got a quick time or a slow one.  It's all been great fun and a joy to be part of.  I wonder where our travels will take us next. 



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