Haigh there Woodland parkrun

 Agggh  

Another new parkrun and another absolute favourite.

Every single thing about this parkrun ticks the box, another parkrun up there with the best.  This was my 597th parkrun and my 54th different location but it is rare to find a location that has got everything absolutely spot on.  Some runs have the location right, or the cafe right, of the marshals right or the first timers briefing right.  Haigh Woodland has everything.  It was their  464th event and you can tell as this has the feel of a very polished event

I'm a bit of a lazy tourist and having done all the Greater Manchester runs, my  NENDYs are now around 45 mins to an hour away minimum.  With it being such a beautiful late Spring morning, I had a look at the list and this one jumped out at me.

I got to the park nice and early, you get given a ticket from the barrier and pay on the way out (£1.75 for 2 hours hours, £3 all day).  First thing you notice is what a stunning location this park is.  Beautiful location, nicely hidden away.  

Cafes and toilets are plentiful and the extremely enthusiastic and welcoming marshals were gathered around with music playing.

The first timers briefing was carried out by a young lad and, it is has to be said, one of the funniest, most confident and laid back briefing I've seen.  I assume he's done it many many times before.  If not, he's an absolute natural.

The RD then took over to give the safety briefing and (I'm really glad to see this is becoming more popular) made sure everyone was listening whilst she made it (making it very clear she'd stop if people were talking) 

276 people set off on the course which is a rare one lapper and a run of two halves.  It is mainly on woodland paths, with still some muddy bits, it has the look of needing trail shoes in the winter, but today was perfectly runnable in road shoes.

There were marshals all over the course who cheered you on as you ran steadily down hill for the first half, perhaps knowing what was coming in the second as what goes down must come up.

The good news is though even though the second half is up hill, it is still very runnable which makes this just a perfect course.  Obviously not a PB but certainly something you can go hard in the first half and keep going.

My overall PB is 20.31 and I finished here in 24.25, so that may give you some sort of indication.  It also makes you appreciate the Superhuman effort of 'JP Goudge' who was the first finisher in an incredible time of 17.51 (think he's a very capable ultra runner ?)  with Harley Making flying in second in 20.00.  Brilliant effort too for Lauren Blake,. 1st female in 21.55 for her first run here.

After I got scanned, I went straight to the cafe where you can get a 'parkrunner's breakfast' of three items on your butty and coffee for £7.50.  It's freshly made, so I didn't mind the wait.

Really, really loved this run.  They asked for feedback for improvements.....I've got nothing.  Absolutely perfect, ran with a big smile all the way round.

If you're anywhere near this location, just do it.

See you all again soon.  I've got a time to beat