I’m a little behind, so to put this in context, I ran Graz on the 18th November. It was during a cold snap, though, so it’s actually warmer outside as I write this than it was on the day.
I’d planned my trip to Graz some way in advance, along with a sleeper train from Vienna to take me back to Germany, from where it’s a shortish hop to Brussels to catch the Eurostar. I booked that, plus somewhere to stay in Graz, while bathed in the warmth of Belize, blissfully forgetting that things aren’t guaranteed. I then happened to check the new event’s page (it started 23rd Sept 2023) to find it was paused for discussion with the council. That prime city-centre location was looking problematic! I had a backup: two, in fact. One: go to Graz anyway and not parkrun. And (more likely!) go to Nuremberg and hop on a coach to catch that sleeper train. However, after plenty of work by the team, gentle persuasion and plenty of reassurance that parkrun pops up, happens and then disappears, they restarted the week before I got there.
The event, then, happens right in the heart of Graz, within sight of the Schlossberg. It’s a significant park: as graztourismus.at puts it; “If you looked at Graz Stadtpark grounds from above you would see a green island in the middle of the roofscape of Unesco world cultural heritage”. That makes it extremely easy to reach, and I walked there from near the train station.
Comically, I had left my main bag on a train* (confused by needing a quick exit to catch a bus replacement - I got to the bus, realised, ran back, etc.) so was in slightly over-large shorts I’d found in a charity shop and yesterday’s t-shirt, keen to get the run over with. But I was soon caught up in the excitement of the team, who were still joyful that the event was on, with its future looking good. They proudly announced that finisher 20 would be their 200th finisher overall.
The run starts in a smallish hedged-off area with paths all around. It makes a natural gathering point, plus the route takes you round those paths on each lap, with lots of opportunities for the volunteers to cheer everyone on, of which they took great advantage.
The course twists and turns round the park, meaning the view keeps changing. One reliable landmark - in that I couldn’t forget it - is the large cross. The route goes right past it, so you have to choose whether to go left (the racing line, as you’re turning left straight after it) or right (the slight-masochist route, for extra effort).
The route undulates a little - you can see one small slope in the picture above - without being hilly. The paths are good throughout, with the only technical bit a tree that, from the briefing, is “kind of in the way”. It is - just positioned exactly where you’ll want to go! I didn’t get a picture, I was just too busy picking where to put my feet each time I went past it.
But if that’s your worst hazard, you’re in very good shape, and this course is a pleasure to go round.
There are some statues towards the end of the lap, which I used as a reminder that there wasn’t too far to go before getting back to the meeting point, and the tight turns as you run round the four sides.
As you might have noticed from the photos, I spent much of the run trailing a pair of runners who were chatting. Just in the final few turns I found some inspiration and passed them both. As a result I was 19th and missed the temporarily-coveted 200th finisher at Graz, but unless I had inserted myself between them, I was destined to miss out.
Post run many of those present headed to Cafe Mitte, a short walk away (details on the course page). At the moment, they’ve a separate room at the back for parkrunners, with service at the table to boot. The atmosphere was lovely, and I chatted to more people than I usually do - atmosphere, enthusiasm and a good location all contributed to make it extremely easy and lots of fun.
Results from Stadtpark parkrun, Graz #5, 18/11/23; 40 finishers
* In case you’re interested, I never saw the bag again, but I pack very light and had mostly needed clothes for a hot country, so I was wearing anything warm I had and am only missing a few t-shirts, shorts and other clothes, plus some hair clippers, a bottle opener. I think I’ll miss the hair clippers and Belize fridge magnet the most. Passport, phone, laptop, cards and cash were all in the bag I did remember.
hi John, this is Sarah from Stadtpark parkrun! Thanks for the lovely write-up. We are still going strong and enthusiasm is still high, even today despite minus 7 at the start. The Austrian Railways have a lost and found service, we can help you get your bag back if they still have it. I would need a description of the appearance and any "distinguishing features". Let us know if you want to pursue it. It would be a reason to revisit us in the Spring/Summer! All the best, Sarah
Sounds like a parkrunpanic!