Burnley parkrun

Jul 06, 2024

I ran this two lap course with some gentle incline in the summer, on an overcast but otherwise fairly warm day. There is some parking next to the start, but there’s a lot more near the finish, which was ideal for me. I needed a quick getaway to join friends on a walk; the walk started at 10am prompt from Todmorden station, so I had just enough time.

Green grass on either side of the path — From near the finish, a walk to the start. The route comes straight down here, on a hill you can’t really see.

The crowd gathered, and time ticked by. Which is absolutely fine, who needs to rush the fun?

A crowd of people in front of the camera, facing away, ready to start — A decent gathering, looking back down that path.

But time really did tick away, and I was calculating how many minutes after 9 I could afford to lose if I was going to make the 20minute drive and short walk to the station. Not many, I figured.

The briefing, though, whooshed into view a few minutes before 9, and was finished pretty much on the dot despite containing all the essential information. That might have been luck, but felt rehearsed and efficient so I wonder if many people have that experience.

Runners on a wide path bordered by short grass which slopes away on either side — Along the path

The path turns right with trees all around — Slightly different, still firm, terrain

A wide path bordered by a field on one side and trees on the other — Up the edge of the field (bottom right of the map above)

I was soon warm, getting warmer, and making my way round the route. It’s a pleasant park, and the route has enough turns and scenery to keep it interesting.

Walkers and runners on a path — Lovely and flat

Cones divide a path with runners on either side — A short two-way section, turning left at the end to go back up the middle

Running on a path bordered by grass — The middle, again. It’s a hill, honest

It was sweaty work in the warm weather, despite the lack of sun but I enjoyed getting pretty well-acquainted with the park as the route gives you a view from every angle.

A wide path heading to the finishing straight — One last turn to the finish

Low cones mark the straight to the finish — Heading to the finish

I jogged to the car and you’ll be pleased to know that I made it to the walk. Because we walk on a Saturday, I have a reputation, post-parkrun and a journey, for turning up at just the very second the others are saying “is this it? No one else?” but as this was my second time in Todmorden,* I knew exactly where I was going and had two minutes to spare. Time to parkrun, travel, change and even tie my bootlaces up. Burnley, then - pretty, well-situated, and a good start to more or less whatever you have planned for the day.

Results from Burnley parkrun #543, 6/7/24; 367 finishers

* Is there a parkrun there? Yes there is, but I did that one on a day when we walked from Hebden Bridge (arrived just as they were saying “is…” etc.)

parkrun touring

Discussion about this post