Milton Keynes parkrun is a single lap course run entirely on paths. It is also the first parkrun I ever took part in and is my home parkrun. It has had a few course changes over the years but I think the current course is probably the best one. It's a very pretty course with great views of the Grand Union Canal and Willen Lake. Keep an eye out for the Peace Pagoda which you'll probably miss (you'll pass it on your right) as you are flying down Pagoda Hill after the Zig-Zigs.
Difficulty
I would rate this course as a 2 out of 5, it would be a 1 out of 5 but for the zig-zags which add elevation, complication and time to your result. Love or hate them the zig-zags are one of the defining features of this course.
The Course
The course starts in strip of parkland close to the Gulliver's Land theme park, and starts slightly uphill until you reach a canal towpath where it flattens out. You stay on the canal path for some time before turning right and a brief downhill until you head back uphill over a footbridge over a main road, before another slight downhill until you reach the bottom of the Zig-Zags. The Zig-Zags are a steep climb with tight turns to take you up to the top of Pagoda Hill. Then you get a nice downhill break which takes you down towards Willen lake. At the bottom of the hill you turn right and it's flat from here on in. You head through an underpass, and then turn left as you start running round Willen Lake South (on your right). The next turning point involves going under another underpass and over a wooden footbridge before going back under the same underpass and continuing round the south lake, you basically now run round the lake keeping it on your right the whole time, You'll stay striaght for a while before turning right and heading past some High Rope activities on your left. Another right turn after the high ropes passing a pub/hotel on the left. You're in the final few hundred meters now and you'll be directed right for the final sprint (open up now if you've got anything left) towards the finish and bandstand.
Elevation
Other than the slight uphill start and the Zig-Zags this is a fairly flat course, but the Zig-Zigs are certainly an unwelcome addition and will trim time off all but the most experienced runners. Total elevation is about 25m (or 80ft) of climb over the course which at time of writing ranks it 224 flattest parkrun out of 519, so it's mid table basically, but take the Zig-Zags out and it would be a very flat course.
Parking, Facilities & Coffee
There are a couple of car parks close to the start. A pay and display behind the pub/inn, and a pay on exit close to a splash park. A few free car parks are a bit further afield in Campbell Park and next to the canal. A Coffee Shop and Toilets are close by the finish, and this is where runners often end up after the parkrun
Link to Milton Keynes parkrun website:
