J is for Jersey Farm parkrun - My alphabet challenge took me to Jersey Farm parkrun, which is a fairly new parkrun on it's 11th event on the morning we visited. I was quite pleased when this parkrun started because prior to this, J would have required a visit to Jersey parkrun in the Channel Islands. St Albans on the other hand is a lot closer to where I live. The Jersey Farm estate and park is named after the actual Jersey Farm which used to be here prior to the modern development. I even took a running buddy with me (she's a proper tourist as she even has one of those apricot tops!) This is a two lap mixed terrain course, consisting of grass and bridleways, mostly under the cover of trees. They are currently on a winter variant of the course. While the second lap of the summer course is mostly grass, the winter course repeats the first lap, which generally sticks to the bridleways. This course reminded me a lot of Daventry parkrun, which I visited a few weeks earlier. [I visited this course on 19th January 2019].
Difficulty
I would rate this parkrun as a solid 3 out of 5, plenty of slippery mud, some draining climbs and the undulating nature of the course come together to make this a good challenge, having said that none of the climbs last too long, and the total elevation is not too bad either. Trail shoes highly recommended in winter!
The Course (Winter Variant)
On the visitor briefing we were advised that this is a "quite undulating course" I'd say that's a fair description. The Winter course is basically a two lap route, with a slightly different start section to the rest of the lap. You start out on the grass, heading roughly east following some cones towards a downwards mud trail before a sweeping right turn into some woods. Heading west and upwards, you are not under the trees very long before a sweeping right and left and you're back in the open having completed the first climb. You now head back downhill again towards a left and right to take you back into the trees again still heading west. You'll come to a right turn and then another right turn closing out the first km before your second climb of the day. The second climb is more gentle and lasts for the next 1/2 km, which will take you north east, crossing a residential lane but staying north east until you come to a right turn and then shortly after a left turn at which point you have completed the second climb. You are now heading downhill again heading North East towards the next right turn. After the right turn you stay straight heading South East for 300m before turning right, to head south (briefly) along Jersey lane. Almost as soon as you've joined Jersey lane, you turn right to leave it again, starting your third climb again under the cover of trees. You are climbing roughly South West for 300m until you reach a sharp right left turn, which joins you back up with where you entered the woods on lap 1. You are now halfway round the course and still climbing until you reach the open section for the second time. Then on the Winter course you complete the second lap, the same as the first until you get back to the open area, where on the final occasion you'll be directed right towards the finish on the grass in the open.
Elevation & Terrain
Undulating with five distinct climbing sections. Total Elevation Gain 69m or 226ft. Terrain is mixed, with grass sections, dirt tracks, gravel paths, and woodland trails. All in all it's a fair challenge!
Parking, Facilities and Coffee
There are no toilets at Jersey Farm Woodland Park. You are advised not to drive to this parkrun, but if you do bring your car, parking can be found in the nearby Sandridge High Street car park (this is also where the closet toilets are to this event). Postcode for Jersey Farm is AL4 9RG, and for Sandridge Village is AL4 9DD. Post parkrun coffee in the Heartwood Tearooms or The Potting Shed. They also have a bag drop area, which is always useful!
Summary
This is a challenging, multi terrain, wooded course with a fair bit of undulation. I'm looking forward to going back in Summer to try the summer version of the course.
Link to official parkrun site for this course - http://www.parkrun.org.uk/jerseyfarm