My 68th parkrun was as part of a Redway Runners road trip to a fairly newly created parkrun at The Plens nature reserve in Desborough. It was a damp and misty morning but spirits were high as we were all keen to check out the new parkrun course. The course itself is a somewhat complicated mixed terrain route which is essentially an out and back with a twice anti-clockwise looped section in the middle. The terrain is interesting at least in part because the nature reserve was founded from ex quarry and railway land both of which created some steep slopes (fortunately nothing too steep on the parkrun course itself), it was an interesting (if challenging) course but we all seemed to enjoy it. As of January 2025 (and since November 2024) this parkrun has been on pause due to drainage works, but they hope to restart soon. [I first visited this parkrun on 7th September 2024]
Bit of History
The parkrun takes place in an area of land called Desborough green space and the name 'The Plens' dates to around the 19th century and actually indicated that the land was originally flat. However since the railway and ironstone quarrying reached the area in 1859 the landscape has been shaped by the industry which took place here for over 107 years continuing until 1966. There are few remaining signs of the industrial past and 'The Plens' is now a nature reserve with a variety of different habitats and has been looked after by the Wildlife trust since 1986.
Briefings
A very informative and detailed visitor and first timer brief, which covered the availability of toilets and vending machines at the Leisure Centre, but no open coffee shop in the leisure centre at the time of our visit, however we were informed where to find a coffee shop after the run. The briefing then went on to give what can only be described an Epic! course description, this was necessary because it is a somewhat complicated route (which I will attempt to describe in my course notes section). The volunteer got a huge round of applause when finishing her description of the course. The main briefing gave the usual thank you to the volunteers, followed by a welcome to Redway Runners (who had descended en mass to this parkrun for one of our semi regular road trips). We were then given a warning to take care on the slippery trail course, it being a damp and foggy morning on the morning of our visit, and also being told to watch out for slugs underfoot as well is divots in the ground caused by some enthusiastic rabbits! They also covered the nature of the course, mixed terrain (gravel, tarmac and grass) with hills and flat bits and even some steps towards the end. Next were some finish funnel rules, and advise that this is a run and pass on the right parkrun with overtakes on the left. The usual rules around under 11s and dogs were also covered, as well as a reminder to respect other park users. Guidance was given that if you wear headphones ensure you can still hear and follow any instructions from marshals. A reminder that, no barcode, no time, no exceptions. Finally tourist call outs included Somerset and Conkers parkrun.
Course Description
Essentially an out and back with a looped section which you do twice. You start alongside some Astroturf pitches and head due east across the grass soon joining up with a hard pack gravel path which follows a tree line, follow the path for a while coming to a large gate, head through the gate which takes you onto a tarmac path you will then reach a marshal who will direct you right off the tarmac path onto a trail section, keep right here if you encounter runners coming the other way. You are now entering the bowl section of the course, you will sweep right and head around the outside of the bowl, you will come to a turn around point which is a sharp left and where the trail briefly splits off from and then re-joins the bowl coming back the other way alongside runners coming the other way (always keep to the right of other runners here), briefly back the way you came until a marshal will direct you right (off the bowl) and back towards the tarmac path, when you reach the tarmac path you will turn right onto the path and head roughly due north. If you then stay on the tarmac path it will take you on a large loop bringing you back past the large gate you passed through earlier this marks the end of lap one. You will soon enter the bowl section again the same as before (always keeping to the right), complete the bowl as before, and the around the tarmac path as before to complete the second loop, when you get back to the gate again, this time you will turn right, back through the gate onto the gravel path, follow this path back past the start area and keep going, you will eventually come to some steps, go up the steps and then turn left which will bring you to a field, go around the field which will bring you to the finish... simples!
Difficulty
A mixed terrain course with some undulations, on a dry day like the day we visited I would rate as 2.5 out of 5. If it were wet and muddy this would probably go up to a 3. This was an enjoyable and varied course and didn't feel too repetitive despite being a looped course.
Elevation
This course is undulating and has a total of 50m elevation, however it is spread across the course and it doesn't feel too hilly in reality. It's not flat by any means, but it doesn't feel as bad as the 50m of elevation would suggest.
Parking, Facilities and Coffee
There is limited parking at the Leisure centre, but due to the number of Redway Runners the club were asked to park at the nearby Sainsburys on the morning of our visit. There are also toilets and a coffee machine at the Leisure Centre, but we decamped to a local coffee shop called 'revive' in Station Road, Desborough. It was a very friendly and welcoming café, but they were a bit overwhelmed by the number of us, and asked if we could notify them beforehand if we decide to come again. Also in the grounds of the leisure centre is a huge skatepark and playground and there is also an outdoor gym in the park as well.
Other Points of Interest
While researching for this blog entry I discovered that just a few doors up on the opposite side of the road from revive is the Desborough Heritage Centre, where you can find all about the history of Desborough including some displays on 'The Plens' it is free entry and I wish I had known about it on my visit. I may have to go back at some point and pop into the Heritage Centre next time.
Summary
What a fantastic setting for a parkrun, with an interesting and varied course. Well worth a visit if you get chance.
Links
Link to official parkrun site for this course: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/theplens/
My YouTube Video Review of this parkrun:
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