O is for Oxford, a well established mixed terrain multi-lap course around Cutteslowe and Sunnymead Park on the Northern Outskirts of Oxford. Another parkrun with Winter and Summer course variants. When we visited it in May they were running the Winter course, which is 3 laps. I understand that the Summer course is 2 larger laps with a shorter grass sections at the start and finish which they don't use on the winter course. It is a pretty and scenic run, with plenty of points of interest to keep your mind off the laps. [I first visited this parkrun on the 18th May 2019].
Difficulty
The winter version of this course I would rate as a fairly easy 2 out of 5, there is some mixed terrain to deal with and a few inclines, particularly one towards the end of the lap. Also it can be very congested at the start as it was on the morning we visited (it may be less congested on the summer course so I'll report back on here when I revisit). It's a fairly quick course and well worth a visit, just make sure you're at the front of the pack if you're going for a time.
Briefings
Once you arrive at the park the meeting area is fairly obvious, and is next to an outdoor Basketball course. There is also an outdoor table tennis table which is used by the core team for the set up equipment. On the morning we visited we weren't expecting to be running the Winter course, so it was a bit of a shock when we attended the visitor briefing and they advised that they were running the Winter course, which is a 3 lapper. After the visitor brief there is a very short walk North to the start, where there is the main briefing. You will be looking South at the start back towards the Basketball and Table Tennis area.
Winter Course
From the start you head south across an open expanse of grass, joining a dirt path, watch your footing because you'll cross a set of model railway tracks. You'll then pass a playground and crazy golf course on your right. The path will pass by a small brick wall, and then alongside a field with a sharp bank on your left it's tight here and can get congested so you may need to be a bit patient here.
Next you'll turn left onto the field, and it opens up a little bit. You'll then join a mud track which takes you right and then left past a high level footbridge on your right before heading east along an old narrow road surface. Next is a left turn onto a trail path (which can be muddy), which takes you north east. Next is a left sweeping turn and then a sweeping right turn to stay on the trail path heading North West, and you'll reach an open field on your right. You'll pass a pavilion (also on the right) and then join a footpath and you'll see a slight incline ahead of you and then you'll see (unless you're in the lead) runners in front of you and to the left of you. You'll be taking the left turn left (up the incline) and then left again before turning right at some industrial buildings, and then a sweeping right before passing by the attractive model railway on your left, after the model railway you'll take a sharp left turn and pass the model railway again, this time on your left. You'll stay on the path and pass by the start finish area on your right. Laps 2 and 3 are identical on the Winter course.
Elevation
This course is fairly flat, with a total elevation of only 25m across the whole course. It's only really that one incline towards the end, which you do three times.
Parking, Facilities and Coffee
There are two car parks for this parkrun, we used the one on the North side of the park at Harbord Road, OX2 8LH (there is another to the south of the park), both car parks are free until 10am. From the Harbord Road car park head east and then when you reach the park on your right, turn right and head into the park. There is a bag drop next to the Basketball court at the start. Post parkrun coffee is in The San Remo café within a few hundred meters of the start/finish line.
Other points of interest
The model railway is fairly amazing, I didn't get chance to photograph it, but it is well worth a look.
Summary
This is a pretty course with lots of interest points to keep your eye out for while out on route, it can be congested though so try and get to the front if you're going for a time, I was held up for most of the fitst lap. Not sure if this also applies to the summer course or just the winter one. I do think it has the potential to be a quick course, and it is well worth a visit. Really enjoyed this course, and I will be back to complete the summer course at some point.
Links
Link to official parkrun site for this course - https://www.parkrun.org.uk/oxford/
Link to my relive summary of the summer course - https://www.relive.cc/view/2376416930
Link to a 5 minute video of the winter course I found on YouTube -