Yorkshire and The Humber parkruns
 

Yorkshire and the Humber is a vast and dramatically contrasting region of the UK, situated across northern and eastern England, acting as a major historical, cultural, and industrial hub. The region is composed of the ceremonial counties of West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, the East Riding of Yorkshire, and parts of two others: the majority of North Yorkshire (excluding areas north of the River Tees) and the northern portion of Lincolnshire. Geographically, Yorkshire and the Humber is characterised by its sweeping, often wild topography, most notably across the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors: two distinct, rugged National Parks spanning the north and west of the region. It contains the towering, wind-swept ridges of the Pennine Chain and the uniquely flat, vast agricultural expanse of the Humber Estuary. Landscapes across the region are varied, ranging from the steep, dramatic limestone valleys of the dales to the heavily industrialised, densely populated urban centres of West and South Yorkshire, and the sheer, chalky cliffs of Flamborough Head on the east coast.

The administrative map of Yorkshire and the Humber underwent significant transformations following the Local Government Act 1972, which came into effect in 1974. Prior to this, the region was largely defined by the ancient, historic county of Yorkshire (subdivided into the North, West, and East Ridings) alongside the historic county of Lincolnshire to the south. The 1974 reforms sought to modernise local government and address the sprawling industrial conurbations, leading to the creation of the metropolitan counties of West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire, absorbing the heavily populated areas of the former West Riding. The reforms also created the controversial, and later abolished, county of Humberside, which merged the East Riding with the northernmost parts of Lincolnshire across the Humber estuary. Following further reorganisations in 1996, Humberside was dissolved, restoring the East Riding of Yorkshire and establishing the modern administrative landscape, though the distinct historic and cultural identities of the region's ancient boundaries continue to be fiercely celebrated.

parkrun event numbers per county

There are currently 68 parkrun events in the counties of the Yorkshire and The Humber region.

Notes and exceptions.

  • All South Yorkshire parkrun events were part of the historic county of Yorkshire except for Graves and Rother Valley which were in historic Derbyshire. The Rother Valley course crosses the border between the 2 historic counties.

  • Five North Yorkshire events in the Tees Valley: Albert, Flatts Lane, Marshall Drive, Redcar and Stewart are in North East England region. All other North Yorkshire events are in the Yorkshire and The Humber region.

  • Most of Lincolnshire is in the East Midlands Region, however the most northerly 6 parkrun events are in the Yorkshire and the Humber region: Ancholme Valley Way, Baysgarth Park, Cleethorpes, Normanby Hall, Scunthorpe, Vermuyden Way

The Yorkshire and The Humber Counties parkrun pages

Click on each of the images below to go to the page with details of the parkrun events for the county.

More parkrun posts

parkruns are free, weekly, community 5k events all around the world. I started in December 2012 and have been obsessive about it ever since. See my parkrun Collection page for details.

Featured and popular parkrun posts:

Back to Run Index
Richard gowerRun, parkrun, Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, EnglandComment
North East England parkruns
 

The parkrun Regionnaire status used to be a major part of parkrun tourism. Changes in the parkrun website in 2019 removed the regions making it harder to track completion status. All is not lost though, as here’s the complete parkrun guide to what’s in and what’s out of the counties of North West England.

The North East of England is a diverse and distinctive region of the UK, situated in the far north of the country, bordered by the North Sea to the east and sharing a long, historic border with Scotland. The region is composed of three ceremonial counties: County Durham, Northumberland, and Tyne and Wear. Geographically, the North East is characterised by its rugged coastline and expansive, sparsely populated uplands, most notably across Northumberland National Park: a dramatic and ancient landscape stretching south from the Cheviot Hills. It contains the deeply historic, rolling hills of the North Pennines (predominantly in County Durham and Northumberland) and the iconic, windswept route of Hadrian's Wall. Landscapes across the region are varied, ranging from the steep limestone cliffs and sandy bays of the Durham coast to the vast coniferous woodland of Kielder Forest and the rich, post-industrial river valleys of the Tyne, the Wear, and the Tees.

The administrative map of the North East underwent a significant transformation following the Local Government Act 1972, which came into effect in 1974. Prior to this, the region was defined by the ancient historic counties of Northumberland and County Durham (and historically, a portion of northern Yorkshire). The 1974 reforms sought to modernise local government, particularly to address the dense, industrial urban growth around the major rivers. This led to the creation of the metropolitan county of Tyne and Wear, which absorbed heavily populated, heavily industrialised swathes of south-east Northumberland and north-east County Durham (including Newcastle upon Tyne and Sunderland). The reforms also created the short-lived county of Cleveland in the south (absorbing parts of Durham and Yorkshire around the Tees), though this was later abolished. These boundaries, particularly the establishment of Tyne and Wear alongside the slightly reduced modern counties of Northumberland and Durham, were solidified for the purposes of appointing Lord-Lieutenants by the Lieutenancies Act 1997, firmly establishing the modern "ceremonial counties" we recognise today, even as the region's historic identities continue to hold deep cultural significance.

parkrun event numbers per county

There are currently 43 parkrun events in the counties of the North East England region.

Notes and exceptions.

  • Five North Yorkshire events in the Tees Valley: Albert, Flatts Lane, Marshall Drive, Redcar and Stewart are in North East England region. All other North Yorkshire events are in the Yorkshire and The Humber region.

The North East England Counties parkrun pages

Click on each of the images below to go to the page with details of the parkrun events for the county.

More parkrun posts

parkruns are free, weekly, community 5k events all around the world. I started in December 2012 and have been obsessive about it ever since. See my parkrun Collection page for details.

Featured and popular parkrun posts:

Back to Run Index
Richard gowerRun, parkrun, County Durham, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, North Yorkshire, EnglandComment
Walking The Midshires Way Part 16: Stoke Goldington and Tathall End
Thatched cottages on Stoke Goldington High Street

Thatched cottages on Stoke Goldington High Street

Start & Finish: High Street, Stoke Goldington, Newport Pagnell MK16 8NR
Distance: 12.9 km (8.0 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 125m
Terrain: A mixture of village pavements, country lanes, field paths, and rural tracks.
Midshires Way section covered: Little Linford Wood to (near) Stokepark Wood: 4.5 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Midshires Way, The Swan Way, Hanslope Circular Ride, Three Shires Way
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Lamb, Stoke Goldington, although this was shut down when we visited in August 2026
Map: Newport Pagnell & Northampton South Map | Towcester & Olney | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 207
Links: Milton Keynes, Stoke Goldington, Tathall End

This is part of a series of short circular walks following the length of the Midshires Way in Buckinghamshire. The Midshires Way is a 225-mile (362 km) trail that journeys through the rural heart of Middle England, linking the Ridgeway National Trail at Bledlow in the south to the Trans Pennine Trail at Stockport in the north. Opened in 1994, this route traverses several counties, including Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Greater Manchester, following a scenic tapestry of ancient bridleways, quiet country lanes, and historic canals. In Buckinghamshire, the Midshires Way has a significant connection with the Swan's Way (often referred to as the Swan Way), a 65-mile long-distance bridleway. Essentially, the Swan's Way forms the backbone of the Buckinghamshire section of the Midshires Way, with the two routes being broadly coincident for approximately 50 miles between Salcey Forest and Bledlow. While the Swan's Way strictly adheres to bridleways to accommodate horse riders and cyclists, the Midshires Way sometimes offers alternative waymarked footpaths for walkers to avoid on-road sections.

Walking Directions

Welcome to the Midshires 16 route: a delightful loop exploring the Buckinghamshire countryside between Stoke Goldington and the hamlet of Tathall End. This walk offers a quiet escape through open fields and rural tracks, providing a fantastic opportunity to appreciate the local wildlife and historic village architecture. It is a brilliant way to spend a few hours stretching your legs in the fresh air.

The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

You can find free on-street parking on Stoke Goldington High Street, quite close to the former Lamb pub and opposite the old post office, which is now a private house. The Lamb was shut down when we visited in August 2026, so it is worth checking if it has reopened before you leave if you plan to eat or drink there, as there are no other pubs or cafes on the route.

  • Walk south down the high street to the war memorial and the lovely Stoke Goldington village sign.

  • Just after the war memorial, take a footpath on the right and follow Ram Alley in a south-westerly direction into a farm.

  • At the farm, take a left at the T-junction, follow it for a little bit, and then take a right at the next T-junction to walk along a path beside a hedgerow.

  • Keep going south-west until you reach a lane, then turn left and follow it in a south-easterly direction.

  • You will have Buntsy wood on your right and open farms and farmland on your left.

  • Keep following the lane past the edge of the wood, and when it curves to the left, take the footpath on the right into the fields.

  • Walk until you reach the edge of New Plantation, which is part of Gayhurst wood.

  • Look out for a clump of trees on a raised artificial hill on your left: if you walk up into the trees, you get a great line of sight through to Gayhurst Court. This is a historic manor house, but instead of being a training centre, the house and service buildings were actually converted into houses and flats in the 1970s.

  • Follow the edge of New Plantation as it curves around to the right.

  • At the path junction, turn left to cross the fields in a southerly direction towards the M1. You cannot miss the motorway: you can clearly see and hear it.

  • When you reach the edge of the M1, turn left and follow the path parallel to the road in a south-easterly direction.

  • Take the underpass on the right, which is also on the Three Shires Way, to go under the M1.

  • Continue in a south-westerly direction until you reach the edge of Little Linford wood.

  • Turn left to follow the boundary of the wood, and at the southern corner, take a right onto the Hanslope Crcular Ride.

  • Follow the ride in a north-westerly direction: about halfway into Little Linford wood, you will pick up where you left off on part 16 of the Midshires Way.

  • Keep on the Hanslope circular ride to the north-westerly corner of the wood, and follow the Midshires Way as it opens out into farmland.

  • Walk north-west across the farmland until you reach the boundary of Hanslope Park, which is a government communications research centre that is part of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

  • Follow the Midshires Way as it skirts around the north-eastern side of Hanslope Park.

  • When you reach the road, turn right and head in a north-easterly direction towards Tathall End.

  • Be careful on this stretch of road: it was fairly quiet when we were there, but there is no footpath, so watch out for traffic.

  • At Tathall End, the road curves right, but you need to keep walking north on the footpath that continues the Hanslope circular ride and Midshires Way.

  • Pass under another M1 underpass and head into the flat farmland, continuing to walk north.

  • The Midshires Way will leave to the left, but keep walking straight north into Stoke Park Wood.

  • When you reach a cross junction of paths in the centre of Stoke Park Wood, take a right to head east towards the edge of the wood. Here, you get a really nice view over to Stoke Goldington and down Small Valley, and there is a bench right at the edge of the wood if you want to sit for a rest.

  • To continue the walk, turn left, and then turn right at the edge of the field by a mobile phone mast.

  • Follow the farm lane in an easterly direction, passing the church on your left-hand side.

  • Follow the path around to the left and take the bridleway that runs parallel to Dag Lane.

  • Continue all the way along Dag Lane until you arrive back on the High Street at the start of your walk.

Points of Interest along or near to the Route

  • Stoke Goldington: Stoke Goldington is a historic village whose roots can be traced back to the Domesday Book of 1086. The village's name derives from the Old English 'stoc', meaning a settlement, and 'Goldington', likely referring to a local landowner. Its picturesque High Street features beautiful thatched cottages and a striking war memorial, making it a quintessential starting point for a rural walk.

  • Church of St Peter, Stoke Goldington: This Grade I listed parish church is dedicated to St Peter and anchors the village. The earliest parts of the building date from the 12th century, showcasing deep historical roots.

  • Little Linford Wood: Part of the ancient woodland network in the region. These sites are crucial for biodiversity, often harbouring protected species and providing a glimpse of the landscape as it appeared centuries ago before intensive agriculture.

  • Hanslope Park: Hidden behind a perimeter of trees lies Hanslope Park, a highly secure government estate with a fascinating history. Requisitioned during the Second World War, it became the base for the Radio Security Service and His Majesty's Government Communications Centre (HMGCC). It was here in 1944 that computing pioneer Alan Turing developed 'Delilah', a groundbreaking portable speech encryption system. The site remains a vital, secretive hub for the UK's national security and diplomatic communications.

  • Tathall End: Located on the periphery of Hanslope, Tathall End is a small, tranquil hamlet that retains its traditional English rural character. Historically, such "Ends" were satellite settlements linked to a larger manor, serving as agricultural hubs for the surrounding open-field system. Today, it provides a peaceful, pastoral backdrop as you traverse the Buckinghamshire landscape.

Midshires Way previous section (south): Stantonbury Lake and Little Linford
Midshires Way next section (north): Salcey Forest South (blog post coming soon)

Back to Trek Index
Richard gowerTrek, Buckinghamshire, EnglandComment
Completing all Northumberland parkruns

There are currently 9 parkrun events in the present-day county of Northumberland, of which I have not yet completed any. The first was Carlisle Park which started on 5 October 2013 and the newest is Kirkharle Courtyard which started on 13 structural May 2023. The name for having completed all parkrun events in Yorkshire is “North-done-berland”.

There are an additional 6 parkrun events in the historic county of Northumberland that are now in the present-day county of Tyne & Wear.

Numbers exclude 2k Junior parkruns and any events that are not open to the general public such as prisons or armed forces facilities.

A map of all parkrun events in the county of Northumberland

All of the Northumberland parkrun events …

Below are each of the Northumberland 5k parkrun events in alphabetical order. A few things to note:

  • The interactive maps below take you to the approximate location for the course, typically the centre of the park. See the course instructions in the parkrun page for each event for specific directions to the start.

  • Course maps and elevation profiles show the route at the time that I ran it and may have changed since then. See the Course page in the event’s page on parkrun.org.uk for the current course outline. Note that course outlines are from Garmin data during a specific run and may vary from the officially measured distance.

  • Please contact me if you spot an event that doesn’t have a course map and elevation profile and you would like to donate one from your own run. I’m also interested in maps and elevation profiles for courses that have changed or where there’s a regular alternative route (e.g. Horsham). I’ll need a GPX file from your run plus the date. I’ll include a credit for you and will donate £1 to parkrun.

Ashington Community Woodland

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Northumberland

  • Ceremonial County: Northumberland

  • Inaugural: 20 January 2024

  • Links: Home Page, Course Page

 

Blyth Links

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Northumberland

  • Ceremonial County: Northumberland

  • Inaugural: 20 April 2019

  • Links: Home Page, Course Page

 

Carlisle Park

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Northumberland

  • Ceremonial County: Northumberland

  • Inaugural: 5 October 2013

  • Links: Home Page, Course Page

 

Druridge Bay

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Northumberland

  • Ceremonial County: Northumberland

  • Inaugural: 9 August 2014

  • Links: Home Page, Course Page

 

Kirkharle Courtyard

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Northumberland

  • Ceremonial County: Northumberland

  • Inaugural: 13 May 2023

  • Links: Home Page, Course Page

 

Newbiggin-by-the-Sea

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Northumberland

  • Ceremonial County: Northumberland

  • Inaugural: 13 October 2018

  • Links: Home Page, Course Page

 

Prudhoe Riverside

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Northumberland

  • Ceremonial County: Northumberland

  • Inaugural: 12 November 2016

  • Links: Home Page, Course Page

 

The Pastures

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Northumberland

  • Ceremonial County: Northumberland

  • Inaugural: 12 January 2019

  • Links: Home Page, Course Page

 

Tyne Green

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Northumberland

  • Ceremonial County: Northumberland

  • Inaugural: 20 April 2019

  • Links: Home Page, Course Page

 

More parkrun posts

parkruns are free, weekly, community 5k events all around the world. I started in December 2012 and have been obsessive about it ever since. See my parkrun Collection page for details.

Featured and popular parkrun posts:

Back to Run Index
Richard gowerRun, parkrun, Northumberland, EnglandComment
Completing all Tyne and Wear parkruns

There are currently 14 parkrun events in the present-day county of Tyne and Wear, of which I have not yet completed any. The first was Town Moor which started on 16 January 2010 and the newest is Windy Nook which started on 20 April 2024. The name for having completed all parkrun events in Tyne and Wear is “Full Tyne”.

Tyne and Wear is a present-day / Ceremonial county that was formed from the north-eastern part of County Durham and the south-eastern part of Northumberland. The event listings below show which are in either of the historic counties.

Gibside was a parkrun event in Tyne and Wear but has now been permanently cancelled.

Numbers exclude 2k Junior parkruns and any events that are not open to the general public such as prisons or armed forces facilities.

All of the Tyne and Wear parkrun events …

Below are each of the Tyne and Wear 5k parkrun events in alphabetical order. A few things to note:

  • The interactive maps below take you to the approximate location for the course, typically the centre of the park. See the course instructions in the parkrun page for each event for specific directions to the start.

  • Course maps and elevation profiles show the route at the time that I ran it and may have changed since then. See the Course page in the event’s page on parkrun.org.uk for the current course outline. Note that course outlines are from Garmin data during a specific run and may vary from the officially measured distance.

  • Please contact me if you spot an event that doesn’t have a course map and elevation profile and you would like to donate one from your own run. I’m also interested in maps and elevation profiles for courses that have changed or where there’s a regular alternative route (e.g. Horsham). I’ll need a GPX file from your run plus the date. I’ll include a credit for you and will donate £1 to parkrun.

Chopwell Wood

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: County Durham

  • Ceremonial County: Tyne and Wear

  • Inaugural: 30 October 2021

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Denton Dene

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Northumberland

  • Ceremonial County: Tyne and Wear

  • Inaugural: 13 January 2024

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Elemore Park

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: County Durham

  • Ceremonial County: Tyne and Wear

  • Inaugural: 14 January 2023

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Fulwell Quarry

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: County Durham

  • Ceremonial County: Tyne and Wear

  • Inaugural: 25 November 2023

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Gateshead

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: County Durham

  • Ceremonial County: Tyne and Wear

  • Inaugural: 18 February 2012

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Gibside

***Gibside parkrun is now permanently cancelled ***

  • I did not complete this event before it was closed

  • Historic County: County Durham

  • Ceremonial County: Tyne and Wear

  • Inaugural: February 22nd 2014. Final event: #280 on March 14th 2020

  • Reason for cancellation: Due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and changes on the Gibside estate (National Trust property) making the original course unviable.

  • Replaced by: Chopwell Wood

  • Links: Event Home Page

 

Herrington Country

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: County Durham

  • Ceremonial County: Tyne and Wear

  • Inaugural: 20 July 2019

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Jesmond Dene

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Northumberland

  • Ceremonial County: Tyne and Wear

  • Inaugural: 14 September 2019

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Leazes

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Northumberland

  • Ceremonial County: Tyne and Wear

  • Inaugural: 3 August 2019

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Rising Sun

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Northumberland

  • Ceremonial County: Tyne and Wear

  • Inaugural: 4 June 2016

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Silksworth

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: County Durham

  • Ceremonial County: Tyne and Wear

  • Inaugural: 2 November 2013

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

South Shields

 

Town Moor

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Northumberland

  • Ceremonial County: Tyne and Wear

  • Inaugural: 16 January 2010

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Whitley Bay

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Northumberland

  • Ceremonial County: Tyne and Wear

  • Inaugural: 9 June 2012

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Windy Nook

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: County Durham

  • Ceremonial County: Tyne and Wear

  • Inaugural: 20 April 2024

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

More parkrun posts

parkruns are free, weekly, community 5k events all around the world. I started in December 2012 and have been obsessive about it ever since. See my parkrun Collection page for details.

Featured and popular parkrun posts:

Back to Run Index
Richard gowerRun, parkrun, Tyne and Wear, County Durham, Northumberland, EnglandComment
Completing all County Durham parkruns

There are currently 15 parkrun events in the present-day county of County Durham, of which I have not yet completed any. The first was Durham which started on 13th August 2011 and the newest is Oakey Park which started on 27th June 2026. I’m not aware of a County Completion Name for County Durham but let me know in the comments if you have one.

There are an additional 8 parkrun events in the historic county of County Durham that are now in the present-day county of Tyne & Wear.

Tees Barrage was a parkrun event in County Durham but has now been permanently cancelled.

Numbers exclude 2k Junior parkruns and any events that are not open to the general public such as prisons or armed forces facilities.

A map of all parkrun events in the county of County Durham

All of the County Durham parkrun events …

Below are each of the County Durham 5k parkrun events in alphabetical order. A few things to note:

  • The interactive maps below take you to the approximate location for the course, typically the centre of the park. See the course instructions in the parkrun page for each event for specific directions to the start.

  • Course maps and elevation profiles show the route at the time that I ran it and may have changed since then. See the Course page in the event’s page on parkrun.org.uk for the current course outline. Note that course outlines are from Garmin data during a specific run and may vary from the officially measured distance.

  • Please contact me if you spot an event that doesn’t have a course map and elevation profile and you would like to donate one from your own run. I’m also interested in maps and elevation profiles for courses that have changed or where there’s a regular alternative route (e.g. Horsham). I’ll need a GPX file from your run plus the date. I’ll include a credit for you and will donate £1 to parkrun.

Blackhill

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: County Durham

  • Ceremonial County: County Durham

  • Inaugural: 13th July 2013

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Cotsford Fields

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: County Durham

  • Ceremonial County: County Durham

  • Inaugural: 23rd June 2018

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Darlington South Park

 

Durham

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: County Durham

  • Ceremonial County: County Durham

  • Inaugural: 13th August 2011

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Hackworth

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: County Durham

  • Ceremonial County: County Durham

  • Inaugural: 9th March 2013

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Hamsterley Forest

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: County Durham

  • Ceremonial County: County Durham

  • Inaugural: 6th November 2021

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Hartlepool

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: County Durham

  • Ceremonial County: County Durham

  • Inaugural: 26th April 2014

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Heritage Coastal Path, Easington

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: County Durham

  • Ceremonial County: County Durham

  • Inaugural: 21st June 2025

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Jubilee

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: County Durham

  • Ceremonial County: County Durham

  • Inaugural: October 2019 (Note: exact inaugural Saturday is unspecified in the source records)

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Oakey Park

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: County Durham

  • Ceremonial County: County Durham

  • Inaugural: 27th June 2026

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Riverside

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: County Durham

  • Ceremonial County: County Durham

  • Inaugural: 14th July 2012

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Sedgefield

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: County Durham

  • Ceremonial County: County Durham

  • Inaugural: 17th March 2012

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Tees Barrage

***Tees Barrage parkrun is now permanently cancelled ***

  • I did not complete this event before it was closed

  • Historic County: County Durham

  • Ceremonial County: County Durham

  • Inaugural: June 23rd 2012. Final event: #378 on March 14th 2020

  • Reason for cancellation: Reportedly due to a runner tripping and injuring themselves then making a claim against the water authority who are the landowners. The landowners decided not to continue with permission to allow the event.

  • Replaced by: “Sure some of the core team set up Wynyard Woodlands as its replacement”

  • Links: Event Home Page

 

The Demesnes

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: County Durham

  • Ceremonial County: County Durham

  • Inaugural: 11th October 2025

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Ushaw Historic House

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: County Durham

  • Ceremonial County: County Durham

  • Inaugural: 11th October 2025

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Wynyard Woodland

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: County Durham

  • Ceremonial County: County Durham

  • Inaugural: 15th April 2023

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

More parkrun posts

parkruns are free, weekly, community 5k events all around the world. I started in December 2012 and have been obsessive about it ever since. See my parkrun Collection page for details.

Featured and popular parkrun posts:

Back to Run Index
Richard gowerRun, parkrun, County Durham, Tyne and Wear, EnglandComment
Completing all West Yorkshire parkruns

There are currently 27 parkrun events in the present-day county of West Yorkshire, of which I have not yet completed any. The first was Woodhouse Moor which started on 6th October 2007 and the newest is East Holmes Field which started on 2nd August 2025. The name for having completed all parkrun events in Yorkshire is “Yorkshire Pud-done”.

Storthes Hall was a parkrun event in West Yorkshire but has now been permanently cancelled.

Numbers exclude 2k Junior parkruns and any events that are not open to the general public such as prisons or armed forces facilities.

All of the West Yorkshire parkrun events …

Below are each of the West Yorkshire 5k parkrun events in alphabetical order. A few things to note:

  • The interactive maps below take you to the approximate location for the course, typically the centre of the park. See the course instructions in the parkrun page for each event for specific directions to the start.

  • Course maps and elevation profiles show the route at the time that I ran it and may have changed since then. See the Course page in the event’s page on parkrun.org.uk for the current course outline. Note that course outlines are from Garmin data during a specific run and may vary from the officially measured distance.

  • Please contact me if you spot an event that doesn’t have a course map and elevation profile and you would like to donate one from your own run. I’m also interested in maps and elevation profiles for courses that have changed or where there’s a regular alternative route (e.g. Horsham). I’ll need a GPX file from your run plus the date. I’ll include a credit for you and will donate £1 to parkrun.

Armley

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 16th June 2018

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Bowling Park

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 22nd February 2020

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Bramley

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 13th June 2015

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Centre Vale

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 9th March 2019

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Chevin Forest

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 28th August 2021

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Cliffe Castle

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 15th September 2018

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Cross Flatts

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 30th March 2013

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Dewsbury

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 23rd June 2012

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

East Holmes Field

 

Frickley Country

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 6th January 2018

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Halifax

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 7th March 2015

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Horton Park

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 30th May 2015

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Huddersfield

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 2nd April 2011

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Lister Park, Bradford

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 17th April 2010

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Middleton Woods

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 13th April 2019

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Myrtle

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 3rd November 2018

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Nostell

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 19th July 2014

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Oakwell Hall

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 19th July 2014

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Pontefract

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 7th May 2011

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Potternewton

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 17th November 2018

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Roberts Park

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 2nd October 2021

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Rothwell

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 29th July 2017

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Roundhay

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 23rd April 2011

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Storthes Hall

***Storthes Hall parkrun is now permanently cancelled ***

  • I did not complete this event before it was closed

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: January 19th 2019. Final event: #50 on March 14th 2020

  • Reason for cancellation: The Storthes Hall Student Village, its host venue, closed down due to business challenges.

  • Links: Event Home Page

 

Temple Newsam

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 2nd February 2013

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Wakefield Thornes

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 20th September 2014

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Wetherby

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 21st March 2015

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Woodhouse Moor

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 6th October 2007

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

More parkrun posts

parkruns are free, weekly, community 5k events all around the world. I started in December 2012 and have been obsessive about it ever since. See my parkrun Collection page for details.

Featured and popular parkrun posts:

Back to Run Index
Richard gowerRun, parkrun, Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, EnglandComment
Completing all North Yorkshire parkruns

There are currently 20 parkrun events in the present-day county of North Yorkshire, of which I have not yet completed any. The first was Albert which started on 31 May 2008 and the newest is York Community Woodland which started on 14 December 2024. The name for having completed all parkrun events in Yorkshire is “Yorkshire Pud-done”.

Five North Yorkshire events in the Tees Valley: Albert, Flatts Lane, Marshall Drive, Redcar and Stewart are in North East England region. All other North Yorkshire events are in the Yorkshire and The Humber region.

Castle Howard, Catterick and New Earswick were parkrun events in North Yorkshire but have now been permanently cancelled.

Numbers exclude 2k Junior parkruns and any events that are not open to the general public such as prisons or armed forces facilities.

All of the North Yorkshire parkrun events …

Below are each of the North Yorkshire 5k parkrun events in alphabetical order. A few things to note:

  • The interactive maps below take you to the approximate location for the course, typically the centre of the park. See the course instructions in the parkrun page for each event for specific directions to the start.

  • Course maps and elevation profiles show the route at the time that I ran it and may have changed since then. See the Course page in the event’s page on parkrun.org.uk for the current course outline. Note that course outlines are from Garmin data during a specific run and may vary from the officially measured distance.

  • Please contact me if you spot an event that doesn’t have a course map and elevation profile and you would like to donate one from your own run. I’m also interested in maps and elevation profiles for courses that have changed or where there’s a regular alternative route (e.g. Horsham). I’ll need a GPX file from your run plus the date. I’ll include a credit for you and will donate £1 to parkrun.

Albert

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Region: North East England

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 31st May 2008

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Castle Howard

***Castle Howard parkrun is now permanently cancelled ***

  • I did not complete this event before it was closed

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: September 14th 2019. Final event: #23 on March 7th 2020

  • Reason for cancellation: The owners (the Howard Family) felt the parkrun got in the way of their daily operation & opening hours. Also - dissolution of the core volunteer team.

  • Links: Event Home Page

 

Catterick

***Catterick parkrun is now permanently cancelled ***

  • I did not complete this event before it was closed

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: June 17th 2017. Final event: #135 on March 14th 2020

  • Reason for cancellation: Catterick racecourse management decided they could no longer host it, citing reasons like public liability risks, potential disturbance to the on-site fishing club, and plans for their own redevelopment.

  • Replaced by: Thorp Perrow

  • Links: Event Home Page

 

Conyngham Hall

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Region: Yorkshire and The Humber

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 18th May 2019

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Dalby Forest

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Region: Yorkshire and The Humber

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 19th March 2016

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Flatts Lane

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Region: North East England

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 16th September 2017

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Fountains Abbey

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Region: Yorkshire and The Humber

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 1st March 2014

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Harrogate

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Region: Yorkshire and The Humber

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 21st January 2012

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Heslington

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Region: Yorkshire and The Humber

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 13th January 2018

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Marshall Drive

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Region: North East England

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 23rd February 2019

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Millfield

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Region: Yorkshire and The Humber

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 15th June 2019

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

New Earswick

***New Earswick parkrun is now permanently cancelled ***

  • I did not complete this event before it was closed

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: April 21st 2018. Final event: #241 on August 30th 2025

  • Reason for cancellation: Due to unresolved capacity issues and conflicts with other activities at the New Earswick Sports & Social Club, the venue's home, leading to unsafe overlaps, parking complaints, and inability to find a workable solution

  • Links: Event Home Page

 

North Yorkshire Water Park

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Region: Yorkshire and The Humber

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire

  • This event is also part of parkrun Compass Club

  • Inaugural: 26th February 2022

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Northallerton

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Region: Yorkshire and The Humber

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire

  • This event is also part of parkrun Compass Club

  • Inaugural: 16th April 2016

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Redcar

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Region: North East England

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 28th April 2012

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Selby

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Region: Yorkshire and The Humber

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 24th February 2018

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Skipton

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Region: Yorkshire and The Humber

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 7th September 2013

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Stewart

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Region: North East England

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 7th July 2012

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

The Cinder Track

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Region: Yorkshire and The Humber

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 23rd October 2021

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Thorp Perrow

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Region: Yorkshire and The Humber

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 16th September 2023

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Woodlands, Scarborough

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Region: Yorkshire and The Humber

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 28th June 2025

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

York

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Region: Yorkshire and The Humber

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 14th January 2012

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

York Community Woodland

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Region: Yorkshire and The Humber

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 31st January 2026

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

More parkrun posts

parkruns are free, weekly, community 5k events all around the world. I started in December 2012 and have been obsessive about it ever since. See my parkrun Collection page for details.

Featured and popular parkrun posts:

Back to Run Index
Richard gowerRun, parkrun, Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, EnglandComment
Completing all South Yorkshire parkruns

There are currently 13 parkrun events in the present-day county of South Yorkshire, of which I have not yet completed any. The first was Endcliffe which started on 10th July 2010 and the newest is Waverley Lakes which started on 11th January 2025. The name for having completed all parkrun events in Yorkshire is “Yorkshire Pud-done”.

All South Yorkshire parkrun events were part of the historic county of Yorkshire except for Graves and Rother Valley which were in historic Derbyshire. The Rother Valley course crosses the border between the 2 historic counties.

Numbers exclude 2k Junior parkruns and any events that are not open to the general public such as prisons or armed forces facilities.

All of the South Yorkshire parkrun events …

Below are each of the South Yorkshire 5k parkrun events in alphabetical order. A few things to note:

  • The interactive maps below take you to the approximate location for the course, typically the centre of the park. See the course instructions in the parkrun page for each event for specific directions to the start.

  • Course maps and elevation profiles show the route at the time that I ran it and may have changed since then. See the Course page in the event’s page on parkrun.org.uk for the current course outline. Note that course outlines are from Garmin data during a specific run and may vary from the officially measured distance.

  • Please contact me if you spot an event that doesn’t have a course map and elevation profile and you would like to donate one from your own run. I’m also interested in maps and elevation profiles for courses that have changed or where there’s a regular alternative route (e.g. Horsham). I’ll need a GPX file from your run plus the date. I’ll include a credit for you and will donate £1 to parkrun.

Barnsley

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: South Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 22nd January 2011

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Concord

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: South Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 8th January 2011

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Cusworth Hall

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: South Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 5th October 2019

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Endcliffe

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: South Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 10th July 2010

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Graves

 

Hillsborough

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: South Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 2nd February 2013

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Millhouses

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: South Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 19th October 2019

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Penistone

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: South Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 12th October 2024

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Rother Valley

 

Rotherham

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: South Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 29th June 2013

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Sandall Park

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: South Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 30th March 2013

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Sheffield Castle

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: South Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 19th October 2013

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Waverley Lakes

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: South Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 11th January 2025

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

More parkrun posts

parkruns are free, weekly, community 5k events all around the world. I started in December 2012 and have been obsessive about it ever since. See my parkrun Collection page for details.

Featured and popular parkrun posts:

Back to Run Index
Richard gowerRun, parkrun, Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, EnglandComment
Completing all East Riding of Yorkshire parkruns

There are currently 7 parkrun events in the present-day county of East Riding of Yorkshire, of which I have not yet completed any. The first was Hull parkrun which started on 3rd April 2010 and the newest is Withernsea Promenade parkrun which started on 27th July 2024. The name for having completed all parkrun events in Yorkshire is “Yorkshire Pud-done”.

Numbers exclude 2k Junior parkruns and any events that are not open to the general public such as prisons or armed forces facilities.

A map of all parkrun events in the county of East Riding of Yorkshire

All of the East Riding of Yorkshire parkrun events …

Below are each of the East Riding of Yorkshire 5k parkrun events in alphabetical order. A few things to note:

  • The interactive maps below take you to the approximate location for the course, typically the centre of the park. See the course instructions in the parkrun page for each event for specific directions to the start.

  • Course maps and elevation profiles show the route at the time that I ran it and may have changed since then. See the Course page in the event’s page on parkrun.org.uk for the current course outline. Note that course outlines are from Garmin data during a specific run and may vary from the officially measured distance.

  • Please contact me if you spot an event that doesn’t have a course map and elevation profile and you would like to donate one from your own run. I’m also interested in maps and elevation profiles for courses that have changed or where there’s a regular alternative route (e.g. Horsham). I’ll need a GPX file from your run plus the date. I’ll include a credit for you and will donate £1 to parkrun.

Beverley Westwood

 

Goole

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: East Riding of Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 30th May 2015

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Hull

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: East Riding of Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 3rd April 2010

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Humber Bridge

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: East Riding of Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 7th June 2014

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Peter Pan

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: East Riding of Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 13th April 2013

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Sewerby

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: East Riding of Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 5th November 2011

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Withernsea Promenade

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Yorkshire

  • Ceremonial County: East Riding of Yorkshire

  • Inaugural: 27th July 2024

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

More parkrun posts

parkruns are free, weekly, community 5k events all around the world. I started in December 2012 and have been obsessive about it ever since. See my parkrun Collection page for details.

Featured and popular parkrun posts:

Back to Run Index
Richard gowerRun, parkrun, Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire, EnglandComment
parkrun Name Changers
 

Have you ever looked back through your parkrun results, or perhaps tried to look up an old event you ran years ago, only to find the name has completely vanished? You are not going into a parallel universe: it turns out quite a few UK events have quietly rebranded over the years.

In fact, the biggest name change in the movement's history applies to the very first events! When founder Paul Sinton-Hewitt launched the original 5k back in October 2004, it was called the Bushy Park Time Trial (BPTT). As the movement slowly expanded to other locations like Wimbledon Common, Richmond, Banstead Woods, and Leeds, they were collectively known as "UK Time Trials." It wasn't until mid-2008 that the entire organization officially rebranded as "parkrun" to appeal to a wider, non-traditional running community. So, technically, all of those original "Time Trial" events were the very first parkrun name changers. Here is the full list of those early pioneers and the names they eventually adopted:

  • Albert Park Time Trial ➔ Albert parkrun, Middlesbrough

  • Banstead Woods Time Trial ➔ Banstead Woods parkrun

  • Bramhall Park Time Trial ➔ Bramhall parkrun

  • Brighton & Hove Time Trial ➔ Brighton & Hove parkrun

  • Bushy Park Time Trial ➔ Bushy parkrun

  • Cardiff Blackweir Time Trial ➔ Cardiff parkrun

  • Hyde Park Time Trial ➔ Leeds parkrun ➔ Woodhouse Moor parkrun

  • North Hampshire Time Trial ➔ Basingstoke parkrun

  • Richmond Park Time Trial ➔ Richmond parkrun

  • Wimbledon Common Time Trial ➔ Wimbledon Common parkrun

It is an interesting little quirk of parkrun history. When you first hear about a local event, it is naturally referred to by the town or city it is in. But as the movement has grown, so too has the need for specificity.

parkrun HQ actually has a fairly strict naming policy: events are supposed to be named after the smallest identifiable geographical area where the event takes place. Think a specific park, trail, or open space rather than the name of the nearest town. This usually becomes an issue when a town gets large enough to host a second event.

A great example is Swindon parkrun. It ran under that name for nearly a decade, but when a second event (Seven Fields parkrun) popped up on the other side of town in 2019, organisers needed to adopt a more specific location-based name to avoid confusion. So, Swindon parkrun officially became Lydiard parkrun, named after the country park where it is held.

In other cases, it is just about accuracy. Take Ludlow parkrun, which rebranded to Mortimer Forest parkrun in August 2026. The venue was never actually in the town of Ludlow itself, and the new name does a much better job of reflecting the beautiful, hilly woodland trails where the event actually takes place.

If you are a bit of a stats geek like me and worry about your parkrun profile, don't panic. When an event changes its name, all previous results, personal bests, and volunteer credits are retroactively updated on the system. Your history remains completely intact; it just gets a new name.

It is worth noting that there can be a fine line between a parkrun that has simply changed its name and one that has been permanently cancelled and replaced by a new event with a different name. The key difference lies in the event history: a true "Name Changer", like the ones on this list, keeps the same course and continues the same event number count on their Results page. On the other hand, a new event that replaces a permanently cancelled one starts its count all over again at Event number 1. An example of this is Storeys Field parkrun. When it was permanently cancelled, it was replaced nearby by Brook Leys parkrun. Even though it is run by the same core team and located close by, Brook Leys is officially a brand new event, so its event count started back at 1.

Let me know in the Comments or contact me if you have any additional information or corrections to the information here. I’m also looking for images of the parkrun banners with the old name and the new name. I’ll donate £1 to parkrun for each contribution and will list you as a Contributor to this page.

Black icons represent the original Time Trial events that changed to parkrun events. Orange icons represent post-Time Trial name changers.

Avery Hill

  • Original Name: Greenwich

  • Date of Name Change: March 2025

  • Reason for Name Change: The original name was frequently confusing for tourists and visitors, as the course is located in Avery Hill Park in Eltham, not the famous Greenwich Park.

  • Region: London

  • Historic County: Kent

  • Present Day County: Greater London

  • Links: Avery Hill parkrun

  • Photo by: Katherine Richards

Chippenham Playing Fields, Monmouth

  • Original Name: Chippenham Playing Fields

  • Date of Name Change: Unknown

  • Reason for Name Change: Added the specific town name to the title to avoid confusion with the existing Chippenham parkrun over in Wiltshire.

  • Region: Wales

  • Historic County: Monmouthshire

  • Present Day County: Monmouthshire

  • Links: Chippenham Playing Fields, Monmouth

Colby Woodland Garden

  • Original Name: Colby

  • Date of Name Change: Unknown

  • Reason for Name Change: To align with parkrun HQ's naming conventions and more accurately reflect the full name of the specific National Trust venue.

  • Region: Wales

  • Historic County: Pembrokeshire

  • Present Day County: Pembrokeshire

  • Links: Colby Woodland Garden

Crinan Canal, Lochgilphead

  • Original Name: Crinan Canal

  • Date of Name Change: Final one in old location was 21 June 2025. First one in new location was 15 November 2025

  • Reason for Name Change: They had a sink hole on the original route, were cancelled for a bit and then restarted on a different part of the canal (15 minute drive from original start line) with amended name.

  • Region: Scotland

  • Historic County: Argyllshire

  • Present Day County: Argyll and Bute

  • Links: Crinan Canal, Lochgilphead

  • Photo by: Tracey Jessup

Endcliffe

  • Original Name: Sheffield Hallam

  • Date of Name Change: July 2020

  • Reason for Name Change: A necessary change to the route to exclude a pavement section on Rustlings Road for safety reasons. This evolution into a fully park-based route prompted a rebrand.

  • Region: Yorkshire and the Humber

  • Historic County: West Riding of Yorkshire

  • Present Day County: South Yorkshire

  • Links: Endcliffe parkrun

Ferry Meadows

  • Original Name: Peterborough

  • Date of Name Change: December 2019

  • Reason for Name Change: To reflect the specific area and community rather than the generic city as a whole, especially due to multiple parkruns existing in the Peterborough area.

  • Region: East of England

  • Historic County: Northamptonshire

  • Present Day County: Cambridgeshire

  • Links: Ferry Meadows parkrun

Gorleston Cliffs

  • Original Name: Gorleston

  • Date of Name Change: Unknown

  • Reason for Name Change: To more accurately reflect the specific location and beautiful cliff-top course, aligning with parkrun HQ's policy of naming events after their exact venue rather than the town as a whole.

  • Region: East of England

  • Historic County: Norfolk

  • Present Day County: Norfolk

  • Links: Gorleston Cliffs

Great Notley

  • Original Name: Braintree

  • Date of Name Change: June 2014

  • Reason for Name Change: The event was initially planned and referred to as Braintree parkrun during its setup phase, but was renamed to Great Notley prior to its inaugural event to adhere to parkrun's rule of naming events after the park itself.

  • Region: East of England

  • Historic County: Essex

  • Present Day County: Essex

  • Links: Great Notley parkrun

Greenham Common, Newbury

  • Original Name: Newbury

  • Date of Name Change: September 2025

  • Reason for Name Change: To better reflect its location and to differentiate it from the recently established Victoria Park parkrun, which is also located in Newbury.

  • Region: South East England

  • Historic County: Berkshire

  • Present Day County: Berkshire

  • Links: Greenham Common parkrun, Newbury

  • Photo by: Linda Whalley

Leybourne Lakes

  • Original Name: Malling

  • Date of Name Change: October 2024

  • Reason for Name Change: To avoid confusion with Malling Rec parkrun in Lewes (which started in summer 2024), and to logically reflect its actual location in Leybourne Lakes Country Park, since "Malling" is a borough and not a specific town.

  • Region: South East England

  • Historic County: Kent

  • Present Day County: Kent

  • Links: Leybourne Lakes parkrun

  • Photos by: Richard Gower, Jan Brodie

Lister Park

  • Original Name: Bradford

  • Date of Name Change: October 2023

  • Reason for Name Change: To align with parkrun HQ's naming rules by referencing the specific park (Lister Park) rather than the wider city, especially since multiple parkrun events exist within the Bradford district.

  • Region: Yorkshire and the Humber

  • Historic County: West Riding of Yorkshire

  • Present Day County: West Yorkshire

  • Links: Lister Park

Lydiard

  • Original Name: Swindon

  • Date of Name Change: Late 2019

  • Reason for Name Change: A second parkrun (Seven Fields) launched on the other side of Swindon, so the original event adopted a more specific location-based name to avoid confusion.

  • Region: South West England

  • Historic County: Wiltshire

  • Present Day County: Wiltshire

  • Links: Lydiard parkrun

Maidstone River Park

  • Original Name: Maidstone

  • Date of Name Change: March 2024

  • Reason for Name Change: To better reflect the route and align with parkrun policy of using the smallest identifiable location, particularly since Mote Park parkrun had also opened in Maidstone.

  • Region: South East England

  • Historic County: Kent

  • Present Day County: Kent

  • Links: Maidstone River Park

Markeaton

  • Original Name: Darley Abbey

  • Date of Name Change: March 2016

  • Reason for Name Change: The event relocated to a different site (Markeaton Park) following its last run at Darley Abbey in January 2016, carrying over its event number count to the new location.

  • Region: East Midlands

  • Historic County: Derbyshire

  • Present Day County: Derbyshire

  • Links: Markeaton parkrun

Markshall

  • Original Name: Markshall Estate

  • Date of Name Change: February 2026

  • Reason for Name Change: Shortened to simplify the event name and align with parkrun HQ's naming guidelines.

  • Region: East of England

  • Historic County: Essex

  • Present Day County: Essex

  • Links: Markshall

Milton Country

  • Original Name: Cambridge

  • Date of Name Change: April 2023

  • Reason for Name Change: Following a prolonged hiatus during and after the pandemic, the event returned to Milton Country Park (initially having announced closure) with a slightly revised course and adopted a new name that accurately reflects its specific park venue rather than the broader city.

  • Region: East of England

  • Historic County: Cambridgeshire

  • Present Day County: Cambridgeshire

  • Links: Milton Country

Monsal Trail

  • Original Name: Bakewell

  • Date of Name Change: November 2021

  • Reason for Name Change: The event retired its old route and moved to a new, safer course on the Monsal Trail.

  • Region: East Midlands

  • Historic County: Derbyshire

  • Present Day County: Derbyshire

  • Links: Monsal Trail parkrun

Mortimer Forest

  • Original Name: Ludlow

  • Date of Name Change: August 2026

  • Reason for Name Change: The venue was never actually in or near the town of Ludlow (it is roughly three miles away). Organisers felt the new name better reflected the trails and scenery where the event is held.

  • Region: West Midlands

  • Historic County: Herefordshire

  • Present Day County: Herefordshire

  • Links: Mortimer Forest parkrun

  • Photo by: Mark Brace

Nostell

  • Original Name: Nostell Priory

  • Date of Name Change: Circa 2018

  • Reason for Name Change: The name was shortened to align with parkrun's naming conventions, referencing the wider Nostell village and estate rather than specifically the Priory building.

  • Region: Yorkshire and the Humber

  • Historic County: West Riding of Yorkshire

  • Present Day County: West Yorkshire

  • Links: Nostell parkrun

Pollok, Glasgow

  • Original Name: Glasgow

  • Date of Name Change: June 2014

  • Reason for Name Change: The first parkrun in Scotland was originally just known as Glasgow. However, due to the growth of parkrun and the addition of three other events within the city, it was renamed to Pollok to reflect its specific location in Pollok Country Park.

  • Region: Scotland

  • Historic County: Lanarkshire

  • Present Day County: Glasgow City

  • Links: Pollok parkrun, Glasgow

Queen's, Belfast

  • Original Name: Queen's

  • Date of Name Change: Unknown

  • Reason for Name Change: Changed to distinguish the event from other locations referencing Queen's park, highlighting its specific location at Queen's University Sport in South Belfast.

  • Region: Northern Ireland

  • Historic County: Antrim

  • Links: Queen's, Belfast

Sandall Park

  • Original Name: Doncaster

  • Date of Name Change: Circa 2022

  • Reason for Name Change: To align with parkrun HQ's naming policy, which stipulates events should be named after the smallest identifiable geographical area (the park) rather than the town.

  • Region: Yorkshire and the Humber

  • Historic County: West Riding of Yorkshire

  • Present Day County: South Yorkshire

  • Links: Sandall Park parkrun

  • Photo by: Gail Bramall

Silksworth

  • Original Name: Sunderland

  • Date of Name Change: Circa 2018

  • Reason for Name Change: To more accurately reflect the specific location of the course within the Silksworth Sports Complex, particularly as other parkrun events began to populate the wider Sunderland area.

  • Region: North East England

  • Historic County: County Durham

  • Present Day County: Tyne and Wear

  • Links: Silksworth parkrun

Town Moor

  • Original Name: Newcastle

  • Date of Name Change: July 2021

  • Reason for Name Change: Changed when the event restarted after the COVID-19 pause. Several other parkruns had launched in Newcastle, requiring a more specific location name, which was accompanied by a route change.

  • Region: North East England

  • Historic County: Northumberland

  • Present Day County: Tyne and Wear

  • Links: Town Moor parkrun

  • Photo by: Katherine Richards

Woodhouse Moor

  • Original Name: Leeds parkrun (and originally Hyde Park Time Trial)

  • Date of Name Change: February 2015

  • Reason for Name Change: To reflect the fact that there were now four separate parkruns operating within the city of Leeds.

  • Region: Yorkshire and the Humber

  • Historic County: West Riding of Yorkshire

  • Present Day County: West Yorkshire

  • Links: Woodhouse Moor parkrun

Contributors

The great people of the parkrun Tourism community who provided input to this page. Photo credits are listed above in the relevant event section.

Mark Brace, Laura Ritchie, Juli Wiseman, Katherine Richards, Paul Woodyatt, Gail Bramall, Tracey Jessup, Linda Whalley, Olly Hughes, Jan Brodie,

More parkrun posts

parkruns are free, weekly, community 5k events all around the world. I started in December 2012 and have been obsessive about it ever since. See my parkrun Collection page for details.

Featured and popular parkrun posts:

Richard gowerRun, parkrun, EnglandComment
North West England parkruns
 

The parkrun Regionnaire status used to be a major part of parkrun tourism. Changes in the parkrun website in 2019 removed the regions making it harder to track completion status. All is not lost though, as here’s the complete parkrun guide to what’s in and what’s out of the counties of North West England.

The North West of England is a diverse and heavily populated region of the UK, bounded to the west by the Irish Sea and to the east by the Pennines, serving as a major economic and cultural powerhouse in Northern England. The region is composed of five ceremonial counties: Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, and Merseyside. Geographically, the North West is characterised by its dramatic transition from expansive urban areas to rugged upland terrain, most notably across the Lake District: a mountainous National Park spanning much of the length of Cumbria. It contains the prominent, sweeping ridges of the Forest of Bowland (predominantly in Lancashire) and the vast, scenic estuary of Morecambe Bay. Landscapes across the region are varied, ranging from the flat, agricultural expanse of the Cheshire Plain to the towering peaks of the Cumbrian fells and the rich, historic river valleys of the Mersey and the Irwell.

The administrative map of the North West underwent a significant transformation following the Local Government Act 1972, which came into effect in 1974. Prior to this, the region was defined by the ancient historic counties of Lancashire, Cheshire, Cumberland, and Westmorland. The 1974 reforms sought to modernise local government, particularly to address the sprawling urban growth around major industrial cities. This led to the creation of the metropolitan counties of Greater Manchester and Merseyside, which absorbed large, heavily populated swathes of historic Lancashire and Cheshire. Further north, the sparsely populated historic counties of Cumberland and Westmorland were merged, alongside the Furness area of Lancashire and a sliver of Yorkshire, to form the new county of Cumbria. These boundaries were later solidified for the purposes of appointing Lord-Lieutenants by the Lieutenancies Act 1997, firmly establishing the modern "ceremonial counties" we recognise today, even as the region's historic identities continue to hold deep cultural significance.

parkrun event numbers per county

There are currently 78 parkrun events in the counties of the North West England region.

Notes and exceptions.

  • Birkenhead was in historic Cheshire and is now in Merseyside.

  • All other Merseyside parkrun events were in the historic county of Lancashire.

  • Widnes was in historic Lancashire and is now in Cheshire.

  • Bramhall Park, Cheadle Hulme, Hyde, Marple, Sale Water, Woodbank and Wythenshawe were in historic Cheshire and are now in Greater Manchester.

  • Fletcher Moss was in historic Lancashire and is now in Greater Manchester but a small part of the course crosses into present-day Cheshire.

  • Barrow, Fell Foot and Ford were in historic Lancashire and are now in Cumbria.

  • Rothay Park was in historic Westmorland and is now in Cumbria.

  • All other Cumbria parkrun events were in the historic county of Cumberland.

  • Alexandra, Bolton, Burnage, Chadderton Hall, Clarence, Fletcher Moss, Haigh Woodland, Heaton Park, Kingsway Park Urmston, Oldham, Peel, Pennington Flash, Philips Park, South Manchester, Stamford Park, Stretford, Watergrove and Worsley Woods were in historic Lancashire and are now in Greater Manchester

  • Crosby, Croxteth Hall, Kew Woods, Knowsley, Princes, Southport, St Helens and Sutton Manor were in historic Lancashire and are now in Merseyside.

  • Warrington is in Cheshire but the route cuts through a small part of Lancashire.

  • Centre Vale straddles the border of historic Lancashire and Yorkshire but is currently fully in West Yorkshire.

The North West England Counties parkrun pages

Click on each of the images below to go to the page with details of the parkrun events for the county.

More parkrun posts

parkruns are free, weekly, community 5k events all around the world. I started in December 2012 and have been obsessive about it ever since. See my parkrun Collection page for details.

Featured and popular parkrun posts:

Back to Run Index
Richard gowerRun, parkrun, Cheshire, Cumbria, Cumberland, Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, EnglandComment
Walking The Midshires Way Part 15: Stantonbury Lake and Little Linford

On the Midshires Way through farmland approaching Little Linford Wood

Start & Finish: Great Linford Memorial Hall Car Park, 630 Marsh Dr, Great Linford, Milton Keynes MK14 5AS
Distance: 10.4 km (6.5 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 74m
Terrain: A mixture of paved suburban footpaths, established park trails, and potentially muddy rural tracks.
Midshires Way section covered: Great Linford to Little Linford Wood : 5.0 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Midshires Way, The Swan Way, Hanslope Circular Ride, Railway Walk, Grand Union Canal Walk
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 6
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Nag’s Head (0.3 km in), The Black Horse (1.2 km in)
Map: Buckingham & Milton Keynes Map | Leighton Buzzard & Woburn | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 192
OS Fundamental Benchmark: TP7233 - Great Linford
Links: Milton Keynes, Grand Union Canal, Stantonbury, Little Linford, River Great Ouse

This is part of a series of short circular walks following the length of the Midshires Way in Buckinghamshire. The Midshires Way is a 225-mile (362 km) trail that journeys through the rural heart of Middle England, linking the Ridgeway National Trail at Bledlow in the south to the Trans Pennine Trail at Stockport in the north. Opened in 1994, this route traverses several counties, including Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Greater Manchester, following a scenic tapestry of ancient bridleways, quiet country lanes, and historic canals. In Buckinghamshire, the Midshires Way has a significant connection with the Swan's Way (often referred to as the Swan Way), a 65-mile long-distance bridleway. Essentially, the Swan's Way forms the backbone of the Buckinghamshire section of the Midshires Way, with the two routes being broadly coincident for approximately 50 miles between Salcey Forest and Bledlow. While the Swan's Way strictly adheres to bridleways to accommodate horse riders and cyclists, the Midshires Way sometimes offers alternative waymarked footpaths for walkers to avoid on-road sections.

Walking Directions

This circular route starting from Stantonbury offers a fantastic blend of Milton Keynes' green spaces and the traditional Buckinghamshire countryside. Heading out from the suburban edges, you quickly find yourself immersed in the open landscapes that border the River Great Ouse valley. It is a walk of beautiful contrasts: you trade residential footpaths for quiet dirt tracks and peaceful rural scenery.

As the path pushes north towards the village of Little Linford, the surroundings become increasingly tranquil. The return leg sweeps back towards Stantonbury, taking in the historical resonance of the local parkland along the way. While you won't cross paths with a local parkrun on this specific trail, the route is a brilliant and peaceful escape for casual walkers and dedicated hikers alike.

The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

Begin at the free car park at Great Linford Memorial Hall, located within the grounds of Linford Manor Park.

  • Take the footpath running along the western side of the car park and head south until you reach the High Street.

  • Turn right along the High Street and walk until you see the Nag's Head pub. Here, you can either stop for an early drink, or if it's a bit too early for that, turn right to enter the park gates.

  • Walk north through Linford Manor Park, curving left in a westerly direction to skirt the southern side of the round pond.

  • Continue walking parallel to the Grand Union Canal, pass under the old railway bridge, and keep walking on the canal's southern side.

  • Continue until you reach the Wolverton Road bridge. Cross over the Grand Union Canal to the north side, which brings you near the Black Horse pub.

  • Once over the bridge, take the footpath on the left off Wolverton Road to return to the canal towpath, and follow it in a north-westerly direction for about 200 meters.

  • Take the fork to leave the canal, joining the Midshires Way and Hanslope circular ride heading north-west through Stanton Low Park.

  • Pass the ruins of St. Peter's Church—the only remains of the old village of Stanton Low—and follow the path as it curves north along the eastern bank of the River Great Ouse.

  • Just over 3 km into the walk, cross the River Great Ouse via the footbridge, then continue until you reach the High Street.

  • Turn left onto the High Street, then take the first right to continue on the Midshires Way, heading north-west through the farmer's fields.

  • At the path junction, leave the Hanslope circular ride but stay on the Midshires Way, walking north and then curving north-east.

  • Upon reaching a T-junction just inside Little Linford Wood, turn right to rejoin the Hanslope circular ride. Follow the wood's eastern edge, then take a quick right through a farmer's field to meet Haversham Road.

  • Turn right onto Haversham Road, then left onto Little Linford Lane. (Note: You may see a road closed/diversion sign for a damaged bridge; this applies to vehicles, but you can still safely cross the bridge on foot).

  • Walk south-east along Little Linford Lane and pass over two bridges crossing the River Great Ouse (including the damaged one).

  • Immediately after crossing the second bridge, and importantly before crossing over the M1, turn right onto a footpath leading off Little Linford Lane.

  • Continue south along this path, keeping the lakes to your right-hand side, until you meet Wolverton Road.

  • Cross Wolverton Road and head south down Marsh Lane, crossing the Grand Union Canal at the Linford Wharf bridge.

  • Follow the road to the High Street, which will lead you back to the Great Linford Memorial Hall car park to finish the walk.

Points of Interest along or near to the Route

  • Great Linford Manor Park: Once the centre of a grand 18th-century estate, this parkland is a fascinating mix of history and nature. The site features formal ponds, ancient lime tree avenues, and the remnants of a lost wilderness garden. It serves as a vital green lung for Milton Keynes, providing a serene backdrop that belies its urban proximity.

  • Grand Union Canal: Serving as a major artery of the British waterway network, this historic canal provides a scenic, tranquil corridor through the heart of Milton Keynes. The towpaths offer a pleasant waterside alternative to the paved redways: complete with colourful narrowboats and abundant aquatic wildlife.

  • Stanton Low Park: A lovely open space that features the remains of St Peter's Church and offers sweeping views across the Great Ouse valley. It provides a brilliant historical touch to the final stretch of the walk.

  • The River Great Ouse: This major waterway is the lifeblood of the local landscape. Flowing through the valley, it supports a rich biodiversity, including kingfishers, otters, and various coarse fish. The river meanders through ancient water meadows that have been grazed for centuries, offering an insight into the traditional rural landscape of North Buckinghamshire.

  • Little Linford Wood: This ancient woodland is a haven for wildlife. It is particularly noted for its varied flora, including carpets of bluebells and wood anemones in the spring. The wood has remained largely undisturbed, reflecting the medieval landscape and providing a crucial habitat for woodland butterflies and birds.

  • Linford Lakes Nature Reserve: Situated close to the route, this wetland area is a haven for local birdlife and wildlife. It was established around former gravel pits and serves as a fantastic spot for nature enthusiasts.

Midshires Way previous section (south): Bradwell Abbey and Linford Wood
Midshires Way next section (north): Stoke Goldington and Tathall End

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Richard gowerTrek, Canal, Disused Railway, Buckinghamshire, EnglandComment
Completing all Merseyside parkruns

There are currently 9 parkrun events in the present-day county of Merseyside, of which I have not yet completed any. The first was Princes, which started on 26th March 2011 and the newest is Sutton Manor, which started on 7th December 2019. The name for having completed all parkrun events in the county is “Mersey-Beat”.

The present-day / ceremonial county of Merseyside is made up of land that was previously in the historic counties of Cheshire and Lancashire. Birkenhead was originally in historic Cheshire but is now in Merseyside. All other Merseyside parkrun events were in the historic county of Lancashire.

Numbers exclude 2k Junior parkruns and any events that are not open to the general public such as prisons or armed forces facilities.

A map of all parkrun events in the county of Merseyside

All of the Merseyside parkrun events …

Below are each of the Merseyside 5k parkrun events in alphabetical order. A few things to note:

  • The interactive maps below take you to the approximate location for the course, typically the centre of the park. See the course instructions in the parkrun page for each event for specific directions to the start.

  • Course maps and elevation profiles show the route at the time that I ran it and may have changed since then. See the Course page in the event’s page on parkrun.org.uk for the current course outline. Note that course outlines are from Garmin data during a specific run and may vary from the officially measured distance.

  • Please contact me if you spot an event that doesn’t have a course map and elevation profile and you would like to donate one from your own run. I’m also interested in maps and elevation profiles for courses that have changed or where there’s a regular alternative route (e.g. Horsham). I’ll need a GPX file from your run plus the date. I’ll include a credit for you and will donate £1 to parkrun.

Birkenhead

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Cheshire

  • Ceremonial County: Merseyside

  • Inaugural: 18th July 2015

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Crosby

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Ceremonial County: Merseyside

  • Inaugural: 14th November 2015

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Croxteth Hall

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Ceremonial County: Merseyside

  • Inaugural: 14th March 2015

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Kew Woods

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Ceremonial County: Merseyside

  • Inaugural: 15th December 2018

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Knowsley

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Ceremonial County: Merseyside

  • Inaugural: 10th December 2016

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Princes

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Ceremonial County: Merseyside

  • Inaugural: 26th March 2011

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Southport

 

St Helens

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Ceremonial County: Merseyside

  • Inaugural: 5th July 2014

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Sutton Manor

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Ceremonial County: Merseyside

  • Inaugural: 7th December 2019

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

More parkrun posts

parkruns are free, weekly, community 5k events all around the world. I started in December 2012 and have been obsessive about it ever since. See my parkrun Collection page for details.

Featured and popular parkrun posts:

Back to Run Index
Richard gowerRun, parkrun, Merseyside, Cheshire, Lancashire, EnglandComment
Completing all Greater Manchester parkruns

There are currently 25 parkrun events in the present-day county of Greater Manchester, of which I have not yet completed any. The first was Bramhall Park, which started on 19th April 2008 and the newest is Kingsway Park, Urmston which started on 18th November 2023. The name for having completed all parkrun events in the county is “Greater Ran-Chester”.

The present-day / ceremonial county of Greater Manchester is made up of land that was previously in the historic counties of Cheshire, Derbyshire, Lancashire and Yorkshire.

  • Bramhall Park, Cheadle Hulme, Hyde, Marple, Sale Water, Woodbank and Wythenshawe were in historic Cheshire and are now in Greater Manchester.

  • All other Greater Manchester parkrun events were in the historic county of Lancashire.

  • Fletcher Moss was in historic Lancashire and is now in Greater Manchester but a small part of the course crosses into present-day Cheshire.

Numbers exclude 2k Junior parkruns and any events that are not open to the general public such as prisons or armed forces facilities.

All of the Greater Manchester parkrun events …

Below are each of the Greater Manchester 5k parkrun events in alphabetical order. A few things to note:

  • The interactive maps below take you to the approximate location for the course, typically the centre of the park. See the course instructions in the parkrun page for each event for specific directions to the start.

  • Course maps and elevation profiles show the route at the time that I ran it and may have changed since then. See the Course page in the event’s page on parkrun.org.uk for the current course outline. Note that course outlines are from Garmin data during a specific run and may vary from the officially measured distance.

  • Please contact me if you spot an event that doesn’t have a course map and elevation profile and you would like to donate one from your own run. I’m also interested in maps and elevation profiles for courses that have changed or where there’s a regular alternative route (e.g. Horsham). I’ll need a GPX file from your run plus the date. I’ll include a credit for you and will donate £1 to parkrun.

Alexandra

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester

  • Inaugural: 12th February 2022

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Bolton

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester

  • Inaugural: 5th February 2011

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Bramhall Park

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Cheshire

  • Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester

  • Inaugural: 19th April 2008

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Burnage

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester

  • Inaugural: 21st July 2012

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Chadderton Hall

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester

  • Inaugural: 23rd April 2016

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Cheadle Hulme

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Cheshire

  • Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester

  • Inaugural: 28th June 2014

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Clarence

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester

  • Inaugural: 1st October 2022

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Fletcher Moss

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester

  • Inaugural: 17th November 2018

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Haigh Woodland

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester

  • Inaugural: 31st October 2015

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Heaton Park

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester

  • Inaugural: 20th June 2009

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Hyde

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Cheshire

  • Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester

  • Inaugural: 7th January 2017

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Kingsway Park, Urmston

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester

  • Inaugural: 18th November 2023

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Marple

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Cheshire

  • Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester

  • Inaugural: 26th May 2012

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Oldham

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester

  • Inaugural: 24th July 2010

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Peel

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester

  • Inaugural: 25th September 2021

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Pennington Flash

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester

  • Inaugural: 12th March 2011

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Philips Park

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester

  • Inaugural: 4th March 2023

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Sale Water

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Cheshire

  • Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester

  • Inaugural: 7th October 2017

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

South Manchester

 

Stamford Park

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester

  • Inaugural: 13th June 2015

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Stretford

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester

  • Inaugural: 14th November 2015

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Watergrove

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester

  • Inaugural: 7th June 2014

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Woodbank

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Cheshire

  • Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester

  • Inaugural: 22nd August 2009

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Worsley Woods

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester

  • Inaugural: 3rd March 2012

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Wythenshawe

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Cheshire

  • Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester

  • Inaugural: 6th August 2011

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

More parkrun posts

parkruns are free, weekly, community 5k events all around the world. I started in December 2012 and have been obsessive about it ever since. See my parkrun Collection page for details.

Featured and popular parkrun posts:

Back to Run Index
Richard gowerRun, parkrun, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire, EnglandComment
Completing all Lancashire parkruns

There are currently 14 parkrun events in the present-day county of Lancashire, of which I have not yet completed any. The first was Preston, which started on 12th May 2012 and the newest is Worden, which started on 14th October 2023. I’m not aware of a County Completion Name for Lancashire but let me know in the comments if you have one.

The present-day / ceremonial county of Lancashire is smaller than the historic county of the same name. Several Lancashire parkrun events fall into different historic and ceremonial counties:

  • Alexandra, Bolton, Burnage, Chadderton Hall, Clarence, Fletcher Moss, Haigh Woodland, Heaton Park, Kingsway Park Urmston, Oldham, Peel, Pennington Flash, Philips Park, South Manchester, Stamford Park, Stretford, Watergrove and Worsley Woods were in historic Lancashire and are now in Greater Manchester

  • Barrow, Fell Foot and Ford were in historic Lancashire and are now in Cumbria.

  • Crosby, Croxteth Hall, Kew Woods, Knowsley, Princes, Southport, St Helens and Sutton Manor were in historic Lancashire and are now in Merseyside.

  • Widnes was in historic Lancashire and is now in Cheshire.

  • Warrington is in Cheshire but the route cuts through a small part of Lancashire.

  • Centre Vale straddles the border of historic Lancashire and Yorkshire but is currently fully in West Yorkshire.

Cuerden Valley was a parkrun event in Lancashire but has now been permanently cancelled.

Numbers exclude 2k Junior parkruns and any events that are not open to the general public such as prisons or armed forces facilities.

A map of all parkrun events in the county of Lancashire

All of the Lancashire parkrun events …

Below are each of the Lancashire 5k parkrun events in alphabetical order. A few things to note:

  • The interactive maps below take you to the approximate location for the course, typically the centre of the park. See the course instructions in the parkrun page for each event for specific directions to the start.

  • Course maps and elevation profiles show the route at the time that I ran it and may have changed since then. See the Course page in the event’s page on parkrun.org.uk for the current course outline. Note that course outlines are from Garmin data during a specific run and may vary from the officially measured distance.

  • Please contact me if you spot an event that doesn’t have a course map and elevation profile and you would like to donate one from your own run. I’m also interested in maps and elevation profiles for courses that have changed or where there’s a regular alternative route (e.g. Horsham). I’ll need a GPX file from your run plus the date. I’ll include a credit for you and will donate £1 to parkrun.

Blackpool

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Present Day County: Lancashire

  • Inaugural: 4th February 2017

  • Links: Event Page, Course Page

 

Burnley

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Present Day County: Lancashire

  • Inaugural: 2nd June 2012

  • Links: Event Page, Course Page

 

Clitheroe Castle

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Present Day County: Lancashire

  • Inaugural: 19th May 2018

  • Links: Event Page, Course Page

 

Cuerden Valley

***Cuerden Valley parkrun is now permanently cancelled ***

  • I did not complete this event before it was closed

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Present Day County: Lancashire

  • Inaugural: August 10th 2013. Final event: #329 on March 14th 2020

  • Reason for cancellation: Due to financial struggles and a belief by the Cuerden Valley Trust that parkrun, a national organization, should contribute financially to the park's upkeep.

  • Replaced by: many of the core team moved to Worden

  • Links: Event Home Page

 

Fleetwood Promenade

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Present Day County: Lancashire

  • Inaugural: 4th August 2018

  • Links: Event Page, Course Page

 

Hyndburn

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Present Day County: Lancashire

  • Inaugural: 21st October 2017

  • Links: Event Page, Course Page

 

Lancaster

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Present Day County: Lancashire

  • Inaugural: 9th January 2016

  • Links: Event Page, Course Page

 

Lytham Hall

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Present Day County: Lancashire

  • Inaugural: 28th November 2015

  • Links: Event Page, Course Page

 

Morecambe Prom

 

Ormskirk

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Present Day County: Lancashire

  • Inaugural: 29th March 2014

  • Links: Event Page, Course Page

 

Pendle

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Present Day County: Lancashire

  • Inaugural: 10th May 2014

  • Links: Event Page, Course Page

 

Preston

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Present Day County: Lancashire

  • Inaugural: 12th May 2012

  • Links: Event Page, Course Page

 

Tawd Valley

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Present Day County: Lancashire

  • Inaugural: 27th July 2019

  • Links: Event Page, Course Page

 

Witton

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Present Day County: Lancashire

  • Inaugural: 29th August 2015

  • Links: Event Page, Course Page

 

Worden

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Present Day County: Lancashire

  • Inaugural: 14th October 2023

  • Links: Event Page, Course Page

 

More parkrun posts

parkruns are free, weekly, community 5k events all around the world. I started in December 2012 and have been obsessive about it ever since. See my parkrun Collection page for details.

Featured and popular parkrun posts:

Back to Run Index
Richard gowerRun, parkrun, Lancashire, Cumbria, Cheshire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, EnglandComment
Completing all Cumbria parkruns

There are currently 17 parkrun events in the present-day county of Cumbria, of which I have completed 1. The first was Barrow, which started on 24th September 2011 and the newest is Cockermouth Greenway which started on 9th November 2024. The name for having completed all parkrun events in the county is “Done-bria”.

The present-day / ceremonial county of Cumbria replaced the historic counties of Cumberland and Westmorland and the Furness area of Lancashire.

  • Barrow, Fell Foot and Ford were in historic Lancashire and are now in Cumbria.

  • Rothay Park was in historic Westmorland and is now in Cumbria.

  • All other Cumbria parkrun events were in the historic county of Cumberland.

Numbers exclude 2k Junior parkruns and any events that are not open to the general public such as prisons or armed forces facilities.

A map of all parkrun events in the county of Cumbria

All of the Cumbria parkrun events …

Below are each of the Cumbria 5k parkrun events in alphabetical order. A few things to note:

  • The interactive maps below take you to the approximate location for the course, typically the centre of the park. See the course instructions in the parkrun page for each event for specific directions to the start.

  • Course maps and elevation profiles show the route at the time that I ran it and may have changed since then. See the Course page in the event’s page on parkrun.org.uk for the current course outline. Note that course outlines are from Garmin data during a specific run and may vary from the officially measured distance.

  • Please contact me if you spot an event that doesn’t have a course map and elevation profile and you would like to donate one from your own run. I’m also interested in maps and elevation profiles for courses that have changed or where there’s a regular alternative route (e.g. Horsham). I’ll need a GPX file from your run plus the date. I’ll include a credit for you and will donate £1 to parkrun.

Barrow

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Ceremonial County: Cumbria

  • Inaugural: 24th September 2011

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Bower Park

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Cumberland

  • Ceremonial County: Cumbria

  • Inaugural: September 4th 2021

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Carlisle

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Cumberland

  • Ceremonial County: Cumbria

  • Inaugural: 19th January 2013

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Cockermouth Greenway

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Cumberland

  • Ceremonial County: Cumbria

  • Inaugural: 9th November 2024

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Fell Foot

  • I completed this event on: June 9th 2018 with a finish time of: 25:17

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Ceremonial County: Cumbria

  • Other routes touched (walk): Fell Foot Circular Heritage Trail

  • Inaugural: 18th October 2014

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Ford

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Ceremonial County: Cumbria

  • Inaugural: 11th August 2018

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Keswick

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Cumberland

  • Ceremonial County: Cumbria

  • Inaugural: 5th April 2014

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Maryport Prom

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Cumberland

  • Ceremonial County: Cumbria

  • Inaugural: 29th October 2022

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Millom

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Cumberland

  • Ceremonial County: Cumbria

  • Inaugural: 17th December 2016

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Muncaster Castle

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Cumberland

  • Ceremonial County: Cumbria

  • Inaugural: 16th September 2023

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Penrith

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Cumberland

  • Ceremonial County: Cumbria

  • Inaugural: 8th February 2014

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Rothay Park

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Westmorland

  • Ceremonial County: Cumbria

  • Inaugural: 25th January 2020

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Silloth Promenade

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Cumberland

  • Ceremonial County: Cumbria

  • Inaugural: [Date unconfirmed: please insert]

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Talkin Tarn Country Park

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Cumberland

  • Ceremonial County: Cumbria

  • Inaugural: [Date unconfirmed: please insert]

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Whinlatter Forest

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Cumberland

  • Ceremonial County: Cumbria

  • Inaugural: 13th January 2018

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Whitehaven

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Cumberland

  • Ceremonial County: Cumbria

  • Inaugural: 30th June 2018

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Workington

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Cumberland

  • Ceremonial County: Cumbria

  • Inaugural: 22nd June 2013

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

More parkrun posts

parkruns are free, weekly, community 5k events all around the world. I started in December 2012 and have been obsessive about it ever since. See my parkrun Collection page for details.

Featured and popular parkrun posts:

Back to Run Index
Richard gowerRun, parkrun, Cumbria, Lancashire, Cumberland, Westmorland, EnglandComment
Completing all Cheshire parkruns

There are currently 13 parkrun events in the present-day county of Cheshire, of which I have completed 1. The first was Congleton parkrun which started on 15th December 2012 and the newest is Alderley Park parkrun which started on 14th March 2020. The name for having completed all parkrun events in the county is “The Cheshire Set”.

The present-day / ceremonial county of Cheshire is smaller than the historic county of the same name. Several Cheshire parkrun events fall into different historic and ceremonial counties:

  • Birkenhead was in historic Cheshire and is now in Merseyside.

  • Widnes was in historic Lancashire and is now in Cheshire.

  • Bramhall Park, Cheadle Hulme, Hyde, Marple, Sale Water, Woodbank and Wythenshawe were in historic Cheshire and are now in Greater Manchester.

  • Fletcher Moss was in historic Lancashire and is now in Greater Manchester but a small part of the course crosses into present-day Cheshire.

Numbers exclude 2k Junior parkruns and any events that are not open to the general public such as prisons or armed forces facilities.

A map of all parkrun events in the county of Cheshire

All of the Cheshire parkrun events …

Below are each of the Cheshire 5k parkrun events in alphabetical order. A few things to note:

  • The interactive maps below take you to the approximate location for the course, typically the centre of the park. See the course instructions in the parkrun page for each event for specific directions to the start.

  • Course maps and elevation profiles show the route at the time that I ran it and may have changed since then. See the Course page in the event’s page on parkrun.org.uk for the current course outline. Note that course outlines are from Garmin data during a specific run and may vary from the officially measured distance.

  • Please contact me if you spot an event that doesn’t have a course map and elevation profile and you would like to donate one from your own run. I’m also interested in maps and elevation profiles for courses that have changed or where there’s a regular alternative route (e.g. Horsham). I’ll need a GPX file from your run plus the date. I’ll include a credit for you and will donate £1 to parkrun.

Alderley Park

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Cheshire

  • Ceremonial County: Cheshire

  • Inaugural: 14th March 2020

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Chester

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Cheshire

  • Ceremonial County: Cheshire

  • Inaugural: 9th July 2016

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Congleton

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Cheshire

  • Ceremonial County: Cheshire

  • Inaugural: 15th December 2012

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Crewe

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Cheshire

  • Ceremonial County: Cheshire

  • Inaugural: 17th February 2018

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Delamere

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Cheshire

  • Ceremonial County: Cheshire

  • Inaugural: 2nd March 2013

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Ellesmere Port

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Cheshire

  • Ceremonial County: Cheshire

  • Inaugural: 18th October 2014

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Lyme Park

  • I completed this event on: September 23rd 2017 with a finish time of: 29:39

  • Historic County: Cheshire

  • Ceremonial County: Cheshire

  • Other routes touched (walk): North Cheshire Way, GM Ringway, Gritstone Trail, Lyme Walks: A Walk to the Cage / A Walk to the Lantern / Paddock Cottage Walk

  • Inaugural: 22nd February 2014

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Macclesfield

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Cheshire

  • Ceremonial County: Cheshire

  • Inaugural: 28th April 2018

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Northwich

 

Phoenix

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Cheshire

  • Ceremonial County: Cheshire

  • Inaugural: 24th February 2018

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Warrington

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire / Cheshire

  • Ceremonial County: Cheshire

  • Inaugural: 25th January 2014

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Widnes

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lancashire

  • Ceremonial County: Cheshire

  • Inaugural: 31st January 2015

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Wilmslow

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Cheshire

  • Ceremonial County: Cheshire

  • Inaugural: 11th April 2015

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

More parkrun posts

parkruns are free, weekly, community 5k events all around the world. I started in December 2012 and have been obsessive about it ever since. See my parkrun Collection page for details.

Featured and popular parkrun posts:

Back to Run Index
Richard gowerRun, parkrun, Cheshire, Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater ManchesterComment
Cycling The NCN 51 from Milton Keynes to Oxford
Cycling the NCN 51 in the countryside near Kidlington

Near Kidlington

Start: Milton Keynes Central Railway Station, Phoenix House, Milton Keynes, MK9 1AW
Finish: Oxford Station, Park End Street, Oxford OX1 1HS
Distance: 73 km (45 miles)
Elevation change: +338 / -367m (-29m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Milton Keynes Boundary Walk, Cross Bucks Way, Midshires Way, Brentwood Jubilee Way, Langford Heath Route, Oxfordshire Way, Oxford Green Belt Way, Kidlington Circular Walk, Oxford Canal Walk
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 5, 50, 51, Milton Keynes Redways: V2, H8, National Byway
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several. We stopped a Legends in Winslow (17 km in), Twyford Village Stores and Coffee Shop (31 km in) and The Bell, Hampton Poyle (58 km in)
Millennium Mileposts: 574, 575, 271, 533, 534, 536, 576, 272, 273, 535
Maps:
- Buckingham & Milton Keynes Map | Leighton Buzzard & Woburn | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 192
- Banbury, Bicester & Chipping Norton Map | Brackley | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 191
- Oxford Map | Witney & Woodstock | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 180
Links: Milton Keynes, Winslow, Middle Claydon, Steeple Claydon, Twyford, Bicester, Bletchingdon, Kidlington, Oxford

 

This ride was the next in our series of cycling the National Cycle Network routes in the south-east of England. We have been tackling these as short, one-day sections. It was also a brilliant chance to bag a number of Millennium Mileposts, as this section of the NCN 51 started out with a remarkably rich seam of them.

Ideally, we would have used the train to get between Oxford and Milton Keynes to start the ride. Sadly, the East West Railway line, affectionately known as the old Varsity Line, is still not open for passenger services.

That would have been perfect because we could have parked at Oxford, caught the train to Milton Keynes, and then simply cycled back. As it happened, we had to rely on a two-car shuffle. This meant meeting at Oxford, parking one car there, loading the bikes into the other car, driving to Milton Keynes, parking there, and then cycling back to Oxford. After the ride, we had to do the reverse to pick up the car in Milton Keynes. It added an extra couple of hours to the trip, but it was absolutely worth it. We were eager to get this route done, and we genuinely didn't know how long it would be until the new railway line finally opens to passengers.

Since we spent so much time criss-crossing and riding near the railway line, I thought I would look up the history of it.

The original Varsity Line passenger service was withdrawn on the January 1st 1968. At the time, receipts were only half the operational costs, making it uneconomical to run. While many associate the railway closures of that era with the Beeching cuts, the decision to withdraw services along this specific line was actually taken by Tom Fraser, the Minister of Transport. Over time, it became a disused railway, and the national cycle route now runs close to it and crosses it quite a few times.

Nowadays, there is a major project underway to reopen the line as the East West Rail, which will eventually link Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford, and Cambridge. The line is being built on the old Varsity Line corridor. The section between Oxford and Milton Keynes has been rebuilt with new track, bridges, and signalling, and was officially handed over to Network Rail in December 2024.

However, if you are wondering why we couldn't just hop on a train, there is conflicting information online about the actual opening date. Some sources state that the Oxford to Milton Keynes section was originally set to open in 2025, while others now indicate that services might not start until December 2026. A significant reason for the delay is a dispute with rail unions over a proposal for driver-only operation. There have also been delays attributed to the need to complete train preparation, staff training, and final works at the new Winslow station.

So, for now, the two-car shuffle was our best option!

We set off from Milton Keynes, immediately hitting that rich seam of Millennium Mileposts I mentioned earlier. We were ticking them off rapidly as we navigated the lakes and green spaces of MK, passing the Teardrop Lakes and Furzton Lake.

As we pedalled further into the Buckinghamshire countryside, the route guided us towards the market town of Winslow. By this point, we were well due for a break and decided to stop at a cafe called Legends. To be perfectly honest, we chose it mostly because it was the only place open at the time, but it turned out to be a fantastic find. It has a lovely garden at the back which was easily accessible for our bikes, the staff were incredibly friendly, and they served up some great coffee and cake to keep our energy levels up.

Back on the route, we passed through picturesque villages like Middle Claydon, continuing our successful milepost hunt. However, just after passing through Steeple Claydon, we got into HS2 construction territory. We quickly found that a short section of the cycle route was closed, forcing us to take a diversion. We ended up doing a roughly 5 km loop that effectively added about 4 km to our total mileage for the day.

It is worth noting for any cyclists planning to do this route: until the HS2 construction works are fully complete, there is likely to be some disruption along the way. I'd highly recommend either planning for it in advance or just assuming you will need to navigate around a diversion or two on the fly.

After making our way around the construction works, our next crucial target was the Twyford Cafe, located at a nearby campsite. We arrived by the skin of our teeth: just five minutes before they were due to close at 1 o'clock on a Sunday. Despite our late arrival, the staff were wonderfully accommodating and friendly. They kindly warmed up some pasties for us, which we took outside to eat after they had officially locked up the shop.

Setting off from Twyford with full stomachs, we noticed something a bit strange: after a fantastic run of Millennium Mileposts between Milton Keynes and Twyford, they completely dried up. We didn't spot a single one for the rest of the trip all the way into Oxford. I am not entirely sure why that is, but it seemed like a strange anomaly given how packed the first half of the route was with them.

As we finally approached the outskirts of Oxford, I was in the zone and ready to just power on to the very end of the route to finish it off. However, Brian had a much more sensible idea: it was a beautiful afternoon, so why not stop, enjoy the city, and get some proper food before we headed back?

We decided to try and find the Handlebar cycle cafe, a choice driven almost entirely by our amusement at its funny name. Unfortunately, when we got there, we discovered it was closed. Undeterred by this minor setback, we found a local pub instead, where a classic plate of fish and chips did the job perfectly before we began the logistical shuffle of getting ourselves and the bikes home.

The Millennium Mileposts

Dotting the UK's National Cycle Network are over 1,000 unique markers known as the Millennium Mileposts. Unveiled in 2000, these cast-iron sculptures are more than just waymarkers. Designed by four artists, one from each nation of the UK, they celebrate the diversity of the cycling routes. These artistic mileposts come in various shapes and can be found in both bustling towns and scenic landscapes, adding a touch of artistic charm to a cycling adventure.

Here are the 10 Millennium Mileposts that we spotted along the route.

Back to Cycle Index
Richard gowerCycle, NCN, Railway, Disused Railway, Millennium Milepost, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, EnglandComment
West Midlands Region parkruns
 

The parkrun Regionnaire status used to be a major part of parkrun tourism. Changes in the parkrun website in 2019 removed the regions making it harder to track completion status. All is not lost though as here’s the complete parkrun guide to what’s in and what’s out of the counties of the West Midlands.

The West Midlands is a diverse and geographically contrasting region of the UK, situated in the western half of central England, acting as a vital transport hub and sharing a long, scenic border with Wales. The region is composed of six ceremonial counties: Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, and the West Midlands (a heavily urbanised ceremonial county sharing the region's name, formed from land previously belonging to the three historic counties of Staffordshire, Worcestershire, and Warwickshire).

Geographically, the West Midlands is characterised by its striking transition from industrial heartlands to rolling rural topography, most notably across the Shropshire Hills: a sweeping Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty spanning the Welsh Marches. It contains the dramatic, ancient ridge of the Malvern Hills (predominantly in Worcestershire and Herefordshire) and the sprawling, historic lowland heath of Cannock Chase. Landscapes across the region are varied, ranging from the rugged gritstone edges of the Staffordshire Moorlands to the extensive industrial canal networks of the Black Country and the lush, meandering valley of the River Severn.

parkrun event numbers per county

There are currently 51 parkrun events in the counties of the West Midlands region.

Notes and exceptions.

The West Midlands ceremonial county contains 16 parkrun events that were formerly in 3 historic counties: 7 Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.

The West Midlands Counties parkrun pages

Click on each of the images below to go to the page with details of the parkrun events for the county.

More parkrun posts

parkruns are free, weekly, community 5k events all around the world. I started in December 2012 and have been obsessive about it ever since. See my parkrun Collection page for details.

Featured and popular parkrun posts:

Back to Run Index
Richard gowerRun, parkrun, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire, EnglandComment