Kettering parkrun takes place at Wickstead park, a massive playground come theme park in Northamptonshire, and is now probably my new favourite parkrun, even if it did almost kill me (more on that later). I tend to like parkruns with interest and/or scenery and this parkrun has stuff going on all the way round, including playgrounds, a wobbley pontoon across a lake, views of roller coasters and water slides, a model railway, and bridges and stations to run over and through. Time passes very quickly as a result. You can learn more about Wickstead Park by following this link.
Kettering parkrun, is a two lap mixed terrain course taking in most of the theme park, there is a mix of tarmac, stone paths and a wooden pontoon, in addition it can be a bit muddy in places but only for short sections (it also has a tendency to flood in winter). It is a fast course, but there is a fair bit of elevation towards the end of each lap.
[I first visited this parkrun on 25th January 2020]
Difficulty
I think this is a solid 2 (maybe 2.5) out of 5. It's muddy and puddley in places but most of the course is fairly hard surface. There is a noticeable hill from 3/4 of the way around lap one all the way through to the first part of lap 2, you have to do the full height of this hill twice (I had a stitch which turned into severe breathing difficulties going up the hill on the first lap, but the course wasn't to blame so I'm sure the rest of you will be fine). Some sections are narrow and can be congested, however if you're prepared to do a little off roading and if you're prepared to push hard in the downhill section good times are possible here. It's a challenge but an entertaining one.
Briefings
I've been doing parkruns for over four years now and this has to be the best and most entertaining set of briefings that I've ever attended. At the first timer briefing after asking if we had all brought our wellies due to lots of puddles and mud (I was in road shoes!), there was a good description of the course, including a laminated map of the course (which said 3 laps, she told us to ignore that because lap 3 is only very short and is not a complete lap), she briefed us that the course is a slight uphill start, turn left and down a slope, then right off the path and through the mud. Onto a wibbley wobbly bridge across the lake, running alongside a railway line, please only cross it, don't try and run down it, before a hill which goes through the railway station and back past the start for lap two. She also told us to check out strava later as we might be able to see a *whispers* willy in the course. After the first timer briefing the main brief was just as entertaining, beginning by welcoming us to Kettering parkrun #1??? We all looked confused until he explained it feels like number one after an absence of several weeks due to flooding, course warnings included a proviso to watch out for sharks and crocodiles while running across the pontoon. They also have a PA system so you won't struggle to hear the brief.
The Course
The course starts just south of the main visitor complex looking out over a field with a lake in the distance. At the start you are heading roughly south west very slightly uphill along a footpath, until you reach a 90 degree left turn and you are now heading down a somewhat steep downhill (still on footpath). You will pass a turn off on the left (which is where the finish area is), but keep heading straight past a rollercoaster on your left. After this you'll cross a railway line before taking a sharp right turn (through a short muddy section) to head south, the footpath will take you around a lake and before long you'll reach a wooden pontoon, which will take you over the lake to the far side (this is the wibbley-wobbley bridge referred to in the briefings (the more people around you, the more it wobbles). This was the best bit of the course in my opinion, it feels great to be running over a lake and the views are stunning. Coming off the pontoon, it is a left turn and you are now more or less heading North, passing a fountain on your left and running alongside the model railway line (first on your right, then after a crossing on your left), remember, you are OK to cross it at the designated crossing points, but please don't try to run down the track itself. Eventually you'll reach the North end of the lake, and you'll take a left turn at a water splash ride and cross the railway line again, and then a footbridge over the lake. From the bridge you are now heading uphill and roughly North West, back towards the main complex, you'll run across the railway line again, passing a station on your left, and then you're into the main complex. Still climbing you'll take another 90 degree turn to head South West and back towards the start. Second Lap is a repeat of Lap 1, at the end of Lap 2, you start a third lap, but when you get to the first downhill slope, it's a sprint finish taking a left turn into the finish area.
Elevation
One fairly lengthy hill which you have to do twice, one shorter steeper downhill section and the rest of the course is flat. With 108ft or 32m of Elevation according to https://jegmar.com/stats-hq/fastest-races/parkrun/ It is ranked as 288 'flattest' out of the 519 they have ranked, so fairly mid table.
Parking, Facilities and Coffee
Parking is £1 (pay staff member cash only on exit before 10:30) for parkrunners, 50p of this parking charge goes to Junior parkrun which is great! Toilets are in Guest Services near the start area. Cafe open after the finish. An extensive free playground for children. And obviously if you want to stay longer you could make a day of it and stay and do the rides and experiences.
Other Points of Interest
Probably the biggest free childrens playground in the country. If you go on the various rides then that costs money, but there's plenty here you can do only the cost of the car park.
Summary
This really is a fantastic parkrun with great scenery and lots of interest while out on course, lots to see and do after the parkrun, and a mega enthusiastic and very friendly core team who clearly love their parkrun. If you have a family you could bring them along and spend the day here enjoying all the fun that Wickstead park has to offer.
Links
Link to official parkrun site for this course - https://www.parkrun.org.uk/kettering/
Link to my Relive summary of the course - https://www.relive.cc/view/vevYVzYB5yO
Link to a YouTube video I found on the internet covering the first running of this parkrun back on the 24th Sept 2016 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcF72GEmDko
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