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The Ultimate Guide to parkrun

Everything You Need To Know (about parkrun)

Lucy Waterlow loves parkrun and it shows...

Lucy Waterlow is a journalist, athletics coach, and an avid parkrunner. Her love of parkrun is encapsulated in her new book, a handily-sized compendium modestly titled: The Ultimate Guide to parkrun / Everything You Need to Know About the Friendliest 5K in the World.

runABC writer Alan Newman packed a copy in his carry-on bag on a trip to the sunny Algarve last week and this is his review of this pocket-sized publication...

With 224 fact-packed pages, beautifully illustrated with 150 photographs, this is not just any guide to parkrun as it says on the cover – it is the ultimate guide to parkrun.

Just like a satisfying 5K run, Lucy Waterlow’s book sets off at a steady pace with the history and background of parkrun. Then it brings us up to date with references to the 20th anniversary celebrated earlier this month.

Lucy picks up the pace as she introduces us to the typical groups and individuals you find at parkrun and correctly pays tribute to ‘High-Vis Heroes’ – the essential volunteers who make it all happen safely and whom are just as much participants as the runners.

An interesting device to convey information is the regular insertion of a parkrun factoid in a ‘Did You Know’ bubble – such as the global cost per parkrun is £83 per week, and Lucy explains where the funding comes from to keep parkrun free, for everyone, forever.

The book also explains why many of the stats for parkrun have recently been removed; why not everyone is a fan of parkrun, and details the guidance around running with young children, buggies, and dogs. We also learn it was a freak injury caused while Paul Sinton-Hewitt CBE was running with his dog which led to the birth of parkrun!

As Lucy builds up for a sprint finish, we have an attempt to rank the 10 best global and 10 best UK parkruns – no spoilers here – and there are training plans for sub-30, sub-25, and sub-20-minute parkrunners.

As a former sub-20-minute participant with 171 runs and 111 volunteer credits, I thought I knew everything about the Saturday morning 5K ritual. However, having read Lucy Waterlow’s brilliant book, my eyes have been opened.

Remember it’s a run and not a race so finish with a smile on your face and DFYB (don’t forget your barcode)!

Take a look at Alan Newman's training guide for novice parkrunners in our runTalk section here 

Photo courtesy of Gaby Monteiro, Canbury Press

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