Firstly, I have to admit that this wasn't actually a "race". It
was a "parkrun" in France. parkruns (note lowercase 'p' as this
is a trademarked name) have become incredibly popular in the UK
and several other countries around the world.
They are 5km time trials that are run by volunteers and are
totally free. They happen every Saturday and are great for
training or assessing one's progress.
France has only recently accepted parkrun as an institution for
daft legal reasons. In France, you *have* to have a medical
certificate to race, consequently parkruns couldn't start until
they'd sorted out a way to produce "non-compete rice timed
results".
I don't see the original post, can you repost?
Firstly, I have to admit that this wasn't actually a "race". It was a "parkrun" in France. parkruns (note lowercase 'p' as this is a trademarked name) have become incredibly popular in the UK and several other countries around the world.[]
They are 5km time trials that are run by volunteers and are totally free. They happen every Saturday and are great for training or assessing one's progress.
France has only recently accepted parkrun as an institution for daft legal
and have run two parkruns here now. That's 2/9ths of ALL the parkruns in France compared to hundreds in the UK.
Today's run was at the Lac de Divonne near Swiss border by Geneva. About thirty runners turned up which was 5 more than at last week's one at Pierre du Bresse! These are not big affairs in France yet!
Right from the outset I found myself in the lead for the first time ever in my life. As a V60 you just don't expect this! It was a fast flat course around a lake and back, nearly all on tarmac.
I could hear puffing over my shoulder so I knew that someone wasn't far
away but I couldn't find anything to ease away with. At 4km I was finally overhauled by a youngster who proceeded to put an insuperable gap between
us meaning that I had to settle for second with a time of 21:32.
Still, I finished second and have taken the VM60-64 age grade records at
both the French parkruns that I've done. Doubt I'll achieve a record like that again in a hurry.
If you have a parkrun in your area do try and support it. They are a great institution that are introducing many new runners to the joys of running without intimidating newcomers.
Tim
On Sunday, July 16, 2017 at 12:50:23 AM UTC-4, Tim wrote:
[]
[]
Firstly, I have to admit that this wasn't actually a "race". It was a
"parkrun" in France. parkruns (note lowercase 'p' as this is a trademarked >> name) have become incredibly popular in the UK and several other countries >> around the world.
They are 5km time trials that are run by volunteers and are totally free.
They happen every Saturday and are great for training or assessing one's
progress.
France has only recently accepted parkrun as an institution for daft legal
and have run two parkruns here now. That's 2/9ths of ALL the parkruns in
France compared to hundreds in the UK.
Today's run was at the Lac de Divonne near Swiss border by Geneva. About
thirty runners turned up which was 5 more than at last week's one at Pierre >> du Bresse! These are not big affairs in France yet!
Right from the outset I found myself in the lead for the first time ever in >> my life. As a V60 you just don't expect this! It was a fast flat course
around a lake and back, nearly all on tarmac.
I could hear puffing over my shoulder so I knew that someone wasn't far
away but I couldn't find anything to ease away with. At 4km I was finally
overhauled by a youngster who proceeded to put an insuperable gap between
us meaning that I had to settle for second with a time of 21:32.
CONGRATULATIONS!
I have never been able to run that fast.
My lifetime best 5k was 25:06.
At this point in my training, I'd be happy
to get an under 36:00 5k time.
[]
Still, I finished second and have taken the VM60-64 age grade records at
both the French parkruns that I've done. Doubt I'll achieve a record like
that again in a hurry.
If you have a parkrun in your area do try and support it. They are a great >> institution that are introducing many new runners to the joys of running
without intimidating newcomers.
Tim
I will look for it. That would be really great for newcomers.
So I take it these are low tech type affairs?
Like one race I did long ago where you got
a stick with your finishing number. Then they
printed and posted the results soon after.
You sorted out your own results since there
were no trophies or even age group results.
Very low key and fun.
Clearly you enjoyed the run.
ed
Ed Prochak <edprochak@gmail.com> wrote:[]
On Sunday, July 16, 2017 at 12:50:23 AM UTC-4, Tim wrote:
[]
If you have a parkrun in your area do try and support it. They are a great >> institution that are introducing many new runners to the joys of running >> without intimidating newcomers.
Tim
I will look for it. That would be really great for newcomers.
So I take it these are low tech type affairs?
Not that low tech. When you first register you are allocated a bar code
that you print out and take with you. (Best to laminate it to stop it disintegrating!). When you cross the finish line a time is logged and
you're given a finishing position barcode. These are both then scanned
after you've composed yourself enough to stand.
Generally within an hour or two of finishing you get you results sent to
you by text message and email. The result I've your position, your age grade, your time etc and are all sortable so you can nearly always take something away from the results.
Have a look at http://www.parkrun.us/events/
Sadly they've not made much inroads into the US so far but I think the movement will grow.
Compare it to http://www.parkrun.org.uk/events/events/ to see how popular
it is here in the U.K.
Tim
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