We are quite lucky in Cheshire in that although there are no Parkruns currently on our
doorsteps there are a number within a 20 mile or so radius. Hopefully this will change soon if and when the Congleton Parkrun ever gets off the ground. But in the meantime I took a quick trip up the M6/A556 towards Manchester and on to Wythenshaw Park.
This was probably the easiest to find Parkrun out of each of the ones I have currently run. The polar opposite of Whitstable which I ran earlier this summer. I couldn't find the Whitstable course until the race was 5 minutes in and the directions on their website were less than useful to someone unfamiliar with the town. The postcode for Wythenshaw, by contrast, takes you straight into the park and to the large and free car park located about 100m from the start line.
The route is two laps around the park starting on path but mostly on track or grass. The excessive rain that had been a feature of the weather over the past few days meant that there was quite a bit of mud on the course which slowed down what would otherwise have been a quick, flat route.
As is usual at Parkruns the mood is jovial and the atmosphere one of inclusion and friendliness. All standards were present from a sub 18 minute winner to run/walkers new to our sport clocking up times towards the 40 minute mark. Like all Parkruns the event was free to enter, all you needing to do was to present your personal barcode to the timing marhsall after crossing the finish line.
It took me about 35 minutes to get to the car park from Sandbach, which makes this a nice alternative to Hanley for those who prefer to run a flatter 5k route.
For the record these are my current tally of Parkruns, 9 different venues and 37 runs in total. I'm hoping to get to 50 in total as soon as possible in the New Year.
- Bramhall Park
- Heaton Park
- Whitstable
- Solihill
- Walsall
- Hanley Park
- Pennington Flash
- Preston
- Wythenshaw Park
For more information visit the Parkrun website.
Michael
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