Today Forest of Dean not only ticked off a multitude of challenges for me (Alphabeteer, Run Forest Run and one of our Pears in the wood courses) but it is also my 19th different location, being an official ‘tourist’ is just one more course away!
Forest of Dean parkrun
Unsurprisingly this event is located in the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire and not too far from Mallards Pike which we did a few months back.
It’s very clearly signposted, even the car parking had signs to it which was super helpful for us tourists!
What3words location : ///downsize.boring.batches
Parking and Facilities
Parking is free and available right opposite the walk to the start in Five Acres High School.
What3words parking location : ///pinks.airbrush.intrigues
The closest toilets which someone had mentioned on the Facebook group were Railway Drive Car Park Toilets, Coleford GL16 8BD. It was only a few minutes drive away, they weren’t the best but I was just glad to find one!
What3word location for toilets : ///rooster.stumpy.animator
First timers briefing
Fiona led the first timers briefing today explaining how fortunate they are to have permanent markers for the route. I don’t think I’ve ever been to another one with these (yet!) Although this is the longest running parkrun I have visited, hopefully others will get them in the future. As the route consists of a perimeter lap, followed by a slightly tricky route though the forest before ending back where you started they were a very welcome addition.
She explained the course was also muddy in places due to the heavy rainfall of the last few days and of course to watch out for tree roots! This was for sure an eyes down parkrun and probably not a day for a PB.
The Run Director for this week is Tim who also shouted out all the milestones (I’ve listed these at the end) thanked the volunteers and welcomed the tourists and then it was time to go.
Forest of Dean parkrun route
The Forest of Dean parkrun’s course is through the forest, pretty much all under the tree canopy which would make for the perfect run on a hot day!
Today however it made for a very muggy run as the rain and the heat turned up the humidity quite a bit.
The course is beautiful with a good trail all the way through, I could have taken a hundred photos if I would have had time. We had a few muddy patches to contend with but nothing major. It would be fine for a buggy although you may have to maneuver around a few of the bigger tree roots. Probably opt for trail shoes if you have them and maybe not your brand new pair!
The route is well marshaled and they were all super friendly even though they got pretty soggy supporting us this morning, I also think they may now hold the record for the most doggy marshals I’ve seen at an event!
Overall it is a really great course, supported by a really lovely volunteer team and we had a really nice visit, I would recommend it for a visit if you are ever nearby.
Unfortunately my Garmin GPS couldn’t cope with the tree cover and got very confused and thought I had covered way more distance than I did which also gave me a crazy PB but never mind!
Post run tea and cake
At the moment there isn’t a cafe nearby but it did look like some redevelopment is taking place by the school which says there will be a new leisure facility, hopefully that includes a cafe!
There are teas and coffees after the event which are kindly funded by Forest of Dean Athletics Club, donations are welcome via the honesty box so do drop in your pennies. They do have some mugs to use but do take your own and if you can spare some to donate they would be very grateful!
They are also partial (and thankful!) for cake so do take some along with you if you visit.
Forest of Dean parkrun Stats for event #688
Today 88 people took part including 4 juniors. 4 people took part for the first time. 10 people set a New Personal Best and 29 took part at Forest of Dean for the first time.
Congratulations to Travis who was the first finisher with a time of 18:42 an age grading of 77.54% and a new personal best.
Congratulations to Alison Temple with the highest age grading of the day with a massive 79.67% and Travis Edwards being the highest graded male with 77.54%.
Forest of Dean parkrun milestones
Well done to…
All the Juniors who completed today’s 5km parkrun : Alfie, James, Charlotte and Travis
Jo Turner who attended their 25th event
Keith Lawrence who attended their 350th event
Jacqui Wynda (Aka Top Womble!) who attended their 400th event
Thank you to this weeks volunteers
Thank you to all the volunteers who gave up their Saturday morning to make this run possible
Deborah Band, David Bourne, Jack Brooks, Matthew Capel, Amy Cardon, Fiona Dean, Brian Griffin, Jean Griffin, Chris Hawkins, Stephanie Hemmings, David Jenkins, Adam Knights, Anya Lees, Richard Llewellyn, Paula Massey, Helen Moreby, Graham Mountcastle, Susan Mountcastle, Lee Osborne, Iain Porter, Ally Walker, Tim Watkins, Sarah Waycott, Kennedy Weight, Keith Williams, Mark Williamson
ChrissyJ xx
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