Watergrove parkrun, Rochdale
Watergrove is talked of as being the only parkrun that’s more a fell run than anything else, with cobbles and stones on the ascents and descents. For all that, it’s on a reasonable surface. Those who had come in trail shoes were warned to stick to grassy spots on the track, as the stones and cobbles would be slippery for them. I was fine in ordinary trainers. Fine for grip, anyway; it was a very testing course.
I had to scoot straight off afterwards, so have no pictures but the course Facebook page has some which show just how lovely the place is. A few minutes walk from the car park takes you to the briefing and start point, and that has this view over the reservoir.
You get the views before you’ve done the work, then, but there are great views all over the place, other than the times you’re (if you’re me) breathing too hard and looking at the ground. It’s all pretty out in the open, as the pictures show, so you’ll get full benefit of sun, and of any rain.
The week after I went was a very rainy day, and everyone looks soaked in the photos. But they got exactly the same number of participants (87), so there are plenty of people keen on running up and down, regardless of the weather.
Results from Watergrove parkrun #384, 15/7/23; 87 finishers
A few bonus pictures from around Todmorden; friends and I did a circular walk on the same day, hence my having to leave Watergrove as soon as I’d finished.
