Discussion
Excitment this week at Preston Park, which is really my home event but I'm on temp transfer while we get Bevendean Down settled in so wasn't there.
The Run Director was just about to start the run when someone whispered to him 'Kelly Holmes is here' so she said 321 Go and then set off to run 19:39 - second lady, so one of our regulars, 18 yr old, has something to put in her scrapbook!
The Run Director was just about to start the run when someone whispered to him 'Kelly Holmes is here' so she said 321 Go and then set off to run 19:39 - second lady, so one of our regulars, 18 yr old, has something to put in her scrapbook!
gazza285 said:
728 finishers at Huddersfield today...
That's mad! I wonder if at some time there will need to be a restriction on numbers (no idea how you do it though!). Starting new events to curb numbers has been a spectacular failure (or success, depending how you look at it) from Bushy there have been 700+ new events and they've had bugger all effect on numbers at Bushy.
Cybertronian said:
One possible 'solution' to the overcrowding problem at some events...: Bristol parkrun joggers face being charged to use paths
I think the council decision is being made today. I'm sure if they were able to balance the cost saving on health against wear and tear on the park they'd see the benefits, but they probably come from different budgets so can't be balanced.They also probably don't realise that if parkrun stops it will quite likely be a long time until people stop meeting to run round the park at 9 on a Saturday and there's not much they can do if 300 individuals turn up independently.
m444ttb said:
I also hope the passion many have for parkrun doesn't manifest in anything self destructive that tarnishes the image of parkrun with local residents.
The message to event teams form HQ is to keep calm and let Stoke and HQ negotiate rather than 000s turning up this week or hammering sausages into the councillors lawns, I'm sure they'll have been thinking of an alternative and there will probably be a nearby council who can spot an opportunity to get some good publicity.ewenm said:
Further proposals: http://newsthump.com/2016/04/13/park-to-install-co...
"..pay per snog in the bushes for teenagers " 
On the parkrun Event Directors forum people are reporting receiving mails from their councils assuring them that they won't start charging so it doesn't sound like there's going to be a mass move toward charging.
Given that park workmen earn a lot less than medics, the sums stack up very nicely unless as in Stokes case they only have a park budget and not a health one to balance against - our council have given us money from the health and sport budgets to get 3 of our local events started so obviously see the value.
Given that park workmen earn a lot less than medics, the sums stack up very nicely unless as in Stokes case they only have a park budget and not a health one to balance against - our council have given us money from the health and sport budgets to get 3 of our local events started so obviously see the value.
Yes, they've said juniors can continue but seniors need to pay 'because it's run by an organisation' - ignoring the fact that it's the same organisation that runs Saturday.
parkrun won't apply for a grant, whether or not it exists, because that would open the flood gates for other councils to charge.
At first the council said they wanted £1 from each runner (how that would be collected is unknown) and then said they wanted something from parkrun, but haven't said how much.
I stole most of that from an interview with Tom Williams (COO of parkrun) on yesterday's marathontalk.com podcast - a bit less formal that his interviews on national TV and radio because he's just chatting to Martin Yelling (and 15000 listeners)
parkrun won't apply for a grant, whether or not it exists, because that would open the flood gates for other councils to charge.
At first the council said they wanted £1 from each runner (how that would be collected is unknown) and then said they wanted something from parkrun, but haven't said how much.
I stole most of that from an interview with Tom Williams (COO of parkrun) on yesterday's marathontalk.com podcast - a bit less formal that his interviews on national TV and radio because he's just chatting to Martin Yelling (and 15000 listeners)
ewenm said:
The current parkrun vs parish council debate is interesting. For me, many of the arguments serve to highlight what I consider flawed concepts in how we (in the UK) access and maintain recreational spaces and facilities. Quick disclaimer: I am a (park)runner, but I'm not a parkrun evangelist. I don't hold parkrun in some higher regard or believe it should receive special treatment.
Much of the debate has been around whether parkrun should pay towards the upkeep of the parks used for the weekly events. Examples are cited of other sports groups who use the parks having to pay to do so (football teams, tennis clubs, etc). So why shouldn't parkrun do so too? It's a valid question.
The flawed concept for me is the acceptance that the other sports groups should pay for their usage. Exercise is known to help both physical and mental health (NHS references below or just search on "Benefits of exercise"). If we in the UK are serious about combating the obesity crisis and encouraging healthier lifestyles in people of all ages, shapes, sizes and backgrounds, then we should be serious about removing the barriers that prevent people improving their lifestyles. Spending our taxes on the upkeep of the public recreational facilities to enable them to be free at the point of use to ALL clubs, groups and individuals is a better solution than charging some or all groups by usage. Make our pitches, courts, pools and tracks free at the point of use. By all means charge businesses making a profit from the usage of the public facilities a fee, but make it free for recreational users.
Make them part of our National Health.
http://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/moving
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/fitness/Pages/Whybeacti...
My disclaimer, I'm an active parkrunner and Event Director so am a bit biased!Much of the debate has been around whether parkrun should pay towards the upkeep of the parks used for the weekly events. Examples are cited of other sports groups who use the parks having to pay to do so (football teams, tennis clubs, etc). So why shouldn't parkrun do so too? It's a valid question.
The flawed concept for me is the acceptance that the other sports groups should pay for their usage. Exercise is known to help both physical and mental health (NHS references below or just search on "Benefits of exercise"). If we in the UK are serious about combating the obesity crisis and encouraging healthier lifestyles in people of all ages, shapes, sizes and backgrounds, then we should be serious about removing the barriers that prevent people improving their lifestyles. Spending our taxes on the upkeep of the public recreational facilities to enable them to be free at the point of use to ALL clubs, groups and individuals is a better solution than charging some or all groups by usage. Make our pitches, courts, pools and tracks free at the point of use. By all means charge businesses making a profit from the usage of the public facilities a fee, but make it free for recreational users.
Make them part of our National Health.
http://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/moving
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/fitness/Pages/Whybeacti...
The argument for parkrun having special treatment is that it's free, should BMF be charging clients and whoever owns it making a profit and not paying the park, although they don't wear out the park much and the council don't do anything to prepare for them so maybe they should be free.
Football and tennis clubs pay because it costs the council money to maintain courts and mark out pitches and put the posts up, and they have exclusive use of that area, parkrun just use what's there and expect to dodge round dog walkers and kids on bikes so don't have exclusive use.
Maybe the council rule should be that groups pay on the basis of the prep work the council have to do rather than if it's a business?
You are right though, it's a good point - the cost of a bit of line paint and some posts isn't much compared to the NHS bill if people don't exercise. Park staff and equipment are much cheaper than doctors and hospital equipment.
My disclaimer is that I'm Event Director for a parkrun, so with a mate we're in charge of our event.
As a guide to frequency of volunteering, think that if 10 volunteers are needed every week, that's 520 slots to fill every year. If 520 different people run during that year and they all volunteer once then the job's done.
But some of those 520 will only run once cos they're visitors or they only run once, not like it and never come back, so maybe half of them run often enough so if they all do twice a year it's all covered.
It's the core team's job to cover Run Director and Volunteer Coordinator, maybe timer at a big event, but really most of the team should be running most weeks with volunteers (ie the runners) filling the rest. We have 15 core team members, 9 Run directors, 6 VolCos who are rostered so RDs don't run 1 week in 9, VCs have done their job by 9 so can run. In general the core team are also runners so don't want to volunteer every week.
If you run nearly every week it would be reasonable to be a non running volunteer 2-3 times a year.
If you're a fast runner (top 20) you can run and then be second or third barcode scanner or you could volunteer when you're injured or have a race the next day so there are ways to do it without missing the chance to run.
Probably 90% of our volunteering comes from 10% of the people, but that's how most things in life are, some people will never volunteer, some will do it lots.
If you do volunteer please do email the team in advance (email will be youreventnamehelpers@parkrun.com, it might be that enough people will turn up at 0830 on Saturday but it lets us relax more if we're not wondering on Friday night if there will be enough people.
As a guide to frequency of volunteering, think that if 10 volunteers are needed every week, that's 520 slots to fill every year. If 520 different people run during that year and they all volunteer once then the job's done.
But some of those 520 will only run once cos they're visitors or they only run once, not like it and never come back, so maybe half of them run often enough so if they all do twice a year it's all covered.
It's the core team's job to cover Run Director and Volunteer Coordinator, maybe timer at a big event, but really most of the team should be running most weeks with volunteers (ie the runners) filling the rest. We have 15 core team members, 9 Run directors, 6 VolCos who are rostered so RDs don't run 1 week in 9, VCs have done their job by 9 so can run. In general the core team are also runners so don't want to volunteer every week.
If you run nearly every week it would be reasonable to be a non running volunteer 2-3 times a year.
If you're a fast runner (top 20) you can run and then be second or third barcode scanner or you could volunteer when you're injured or have a race the next day so there are ways to do it without missing the chance to run.
Probably 90% of our volunteering comes from 10% of the people, but that's how most things in life are, some people will never volunteer, some will do it lots.
If you do volunteer please do email the team in advance (email will be youreventnamehelpers@parkrun.com, it might be that enough people will turn up at 0830 on Saturday but it lets us relax more if we're not wondering on Friday night if there will be enough people.
Cybertronian said:
john2443 said:
It's the core team's job to cover Run Director and Volunteer Coordinator, maybe timer at a big event, but really most of the team should be running most weeks with volunteers (ie the runners) filling the rest. We have 15 core team members, 9 Run directors, 6 VolCos who are rostered so RDs don't run 1 week in 9, VCs have done their job by 9 so can run. In general the core team are also runners so don't want to volunteer every week.
That's a nicely sized core team, John. We have just 4 directors, 2 directors-in-training and 5 regular core team members.We've worked fairly hard over 3 years to build up a team and encourage volunteering, it does make it very easy to run the event, we leave the RD to take charge on their rostered week and don't interfere, but all the team jumps in to help if needed.
Having 3-400 runners to draw on is an advantage, if you have a small event it must be more difficult.
ED209 said:
Do any of you park run regulars notice people at your events who never volunteer? I can't run/vulunteer that often on a sat morning due to work but i think I have volunteered about 10 times and ran 56 in total at various locations.
I do notice though a certain element who have ran 100 plus times and not volunteered once. I think this is out of order to be honest.
Oh yes! Some people just don't think they should have to. In the early days after we set up our event we used to worry about it, but we've gradually become more chilled out it and taken the view that as long as we get enough vols there's no point worrying about those who never vol.I do notice though a certain element who have ran 100 plus times and not volunteered once. I think this is out of order to be honest.
In the end they lose out IMO, the regular vols have become part of an unofficial sort of inner circle who car share, invite each other to races, training sessions, parties, pub meetings, gym, cycling, pace each other, hang around for coffee on a Saturday, go for lunch after races and lots of other things. Those who just turn up and run never get to know anyone, but maybe they're happy like that.
Halb said:
john2443 said:
In the end they lose out IMO, the regular vols have become part of an unofficial sort of inner circle who car share, invite each other to races, training sessions, parties, pub meetings, gym, cycling, pace each other, hang around for coffee on a Saturday, go for lunch after races, wife-swap and lots of other things. Those who just turn up and run never get to know anyone, but maybe they're happy like that.
sweet!I can now add to this list Karaoke. I have to say I'm not sure about joining in with that, but might go along!
Cybertronian said:
1,016 runners at Cannon Hill this morning!
Flipping Heck (to put it politely 
). We had 457 and I thought that was a lot! Our park really isn't big enough for many more.Mob match sounds a good way to commemorate a runner. My ambition is to die after crossing the finishing line and setting the V100-104 course record wearing my 'If I collapse please scan my barcode' T shirt
I was touring this weekend due to car club AGM so ran Oxford. Nice course, mostly off road but quite flat and I managed sub 24 for the first time since January due to run directing, injury and a hilly home event, so pleased with that.
Also my 20th different event so now on the Most Events list.
Also my 20th different event so now on the Most Events list.
Cybertronian said:
Here's my tuppence on the matter: start roughly where you think you'll be finishing in the field.
Yes.It is a tricky one but when there are 4-500 runners and a 4m wide start it's dangerous to have 40 min people starting at the front whether they're at the side or in the middle.
I'd love to be able to give them a 400m wide start line so that everyone gets a fair go, but it just isn't practical.
If you always start in about the same place then your times are comparable anyway and if you want a precise/chip time then you have to pay £20 to enter a race, or time your self as you cross the line, we do our best to give accurate results based on a low-ish tech and cheap system.
Cybertronian said:
Bit of a plug for my cousin Bruce who produced the official promo video from last week's Woodhouse Moor ambassadors' weekend: Woodhouse Moor event 462.
I was there! Wherever I went Bruce seemed to be there taking photos!Had a chat to him while we walked up to dinner on Sat night.
Hard work weekend, not so much the running (only parkrun Sat and a gentle 7k at 0700 Sun) more the continuous seminars, talks, socialising and dashing to the pub as soon as the sessions finished.
I did wimp out on Sat night though and was in bed by 1130 - the next group were still up at 2 and the hardcore still drinking at 5 am. Needless to say they didn't make the 0700 run!
Good weekend though!
Cybertronian said:
His speed at moving throughout a course doesn't translate as well to racing 
! He produced a short film of my wedding day and I was amazed at how much he managed to capture from different angles. You'd have assumed he had a second shooter, but it was just himself.
At one point he ran past me carrying camera and monopod, stopped and started taking pics. Not sure if he was on the same lap as me or whether he did all 3 laps.! He produced a short film of my wedding day and I was amazed at how much he managed to capture from different angles. You'd have assumed he had a second shooter, but it was just himself.Dogbash said:
Ran in my local parkrun this week and managed a 24:58 after not running for a year. I had a target of 25 mins in my head and nearly killed myself in the last km to his my target.
Last years best was 22:34 and hoping I can run a sub 20 before the end of the year although this is a tough target!
24:58 sounds pretty good after a year's lay off. As you say, sub 20 is a huge step from there! (depending on your age and how hard you're prepared to train)Last years best was 22:34 and hoping I can run a sub 20 before the end of the year although this is a tough target!
I was knackered a week last Sat doing 24.45 (it was very hot) and this week felt good doing 23.09, I never understand it!
Mostly mental, although the slow week I set off with the 23 min pacer who did the first 2 k at 22:30 pace - I need to start a bit easy and pick the pace up so I had to let him go and was stuffed by 3.5k!
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