One parkrun, but two very different courses depending on the time of year you visit, when I first went in December this parkrun was operating on a Winter course, which is a cut down multiple out and back (and entirely tarmacked) version of their normal course. It was straightforward, flat and easy to run. When I visited again in the May the course was a much more interesting lapped (2 laps) course involving more grass and trail sections. I didn't get a particularly good time here on either occasion, but I think that was more down to me than the course.
[I did the Winter course on Sat 22nd December 2018
and the Summer course on Sat 11th May 2019]
Difficulty
The winter version of this course at least I would rate as a very easy 1 out of 5, there is a short section round the pond which is a bit uneven, but it's not very long and you only have to do it twice. The summer version is a 2 out of 5, it's just as flat but the uneven grass and trail sections are a bit more of a challenge than the full tarmac of the Winter course.
Briefings
The parking recommended for this parkrun is at a school which is about 200-300m from the course along a footpath which starts on the opposite side of the road from the school. At the end of the footpath from the school turn left and head towards the briefing area for visitors and first timers. The winter briefing area is held on the footpath running alongside the near side of the park as you enter from the school direction, and the briefing takes place near the finish point, which is short way south west from the start area which is a bit further North East up the footpath. The visitor briefing is useful as it includes a warning to stay left when passing runners in the opposite direction (which happens a lot on this winter course). The summer briefing takes place on the far side of the park as you enter from the school direction over a footbridge and in an open field near the finish point of the summer course. The main takeaway from the summer briefing is that the first time you reach the narrow trail around the duck pond to expect congestion but a warning to not try and overtake anyone as the trail is too narrow and you might hurt someone. On the second lap the field should have opened out so congestion is less likely.
Summer Course
After the briefing you'll be marshalled back behind the tree lined footpath which crosses the park. At the start you'll head North East joining a footpath which you'll stay on for about 400m before being directed left onto a trail which then sweeps right around a duck pond. After the pond you'll reach a marshal and a right turn up onto a footpath next to a main road. After a short run along the road you'll be directed right, through a staggered set of metal fences you have to go through them as there a wooden fences either side of the metal ones preventing you circumventing the metal fences. You now stay on the footpath heading south west for the next 500m before leaving the footpath onto a grass section, still heading south west. After a while you'll rejoin the footpath for a short time before turning off again onto another grass section (still heading South West). You will now reach a sharp right turn back onto the footpath but this time heading North East briefly before taking a left turn over a footbridge, then another left turn and back onto grass trails. You will take a sweeping right turn before reaching a stone circle, which you will go around and a marshal who will direct you to another trail path heading North East. You'll reach a playground on your right but you're basically heading back towards the start ready for another lap. After the second lap, once you reach the open field, instead of taking the footpath, you'll be running straight across the field to the finish.
Winter Course
The winter course is basically half of the full summer course (and does involve a fair bit of repetition). From the footpath from the school, turn left (staying on the footpath on the near side of the park) and you'll come to the finish area for the winter course,
After the briefing there is a short walk (North East) to the Start area. From the start you continue to head North East for approx 500m, you'll reach a staggered set of fences just before turning left onto a footpath next to a main road (for a 500m loop section), following the road you'll then be directed left for a short loop of a pond and then back onto the footpath by the road heading back the way you came, turning right through the fences and back on the main path again, this time heading back the way you came, in a South West direction this time. You'll pass the start and the briefing area close to the finish. After 1km from the road, you'll reach a marshal who directs you to turn around and head back up the path again, again heading back past the finish and start areas, towards the loop to the pond. After 1km you'll reach the turn-off for the pond, 500m loop around the pond and then 1km back to the turnaround point. From here it is now 500m to the finish, don't forget to stop this time ;-)
Elevation
This course is flat, with a total elevation of 5m across the whole course. Don't think you'll find many courses flatter than this one.
Parking, Facilities and Coffee
Parking can be found at the school on Peregrine Way OX26 6SX (see below) approx 200-300m from the course. There is also parking at the nearby shopping centre. The course is easy to find, taking the footpath on the opposite side of the road from the school, at the end of the footpath you will reach the course. Post parkrun coffee is at Savoir Fare, Garth Park, OX26 6PS.
Other points of interest
There are at least two stone circles on this course. On the summer course you'll run around an open stone circle with several large stones placed around the circumference (unless you go looking for it you will not see this in winter as the winter course avoids this part of the park). On the winter course you'll see a smaller closed stone circle fairly near to the finish (you will probably not see this circle on the summer course unless you go looking for it as the summer course avoids this bit of the park). Not sure what the story behind the stone circles is but I expect they are some form of art exhibit.
Summary
In the summer this is a pretty and scenic flat but mixed terrain two lapped course with some interesting points of interest to keep you occupied. In the winter this is a simple, straightforward, fast and flat course which can be a bit repetitive. The summer course is by far the more interesting of the two.
Link to official parkrun site for this course - http://www.parkrun.org.uk/bicester
Link to my relive summary of the summer course - https://www.relive.cc/view/2357982941
