This was my 22nd venue, and a new parkrun in the Milton Keynes area. It's located in Towcester, which has been trying to get a parkrun up and running for some time, so it's nice to see that they have finally managed to get it going.
Watermeadows parkrun is a 4 lap route around the perimeter of a field, run entirely on grass. The core volunteering team are very friendly and welcoming. In addition there is close and convenient free parking and it is quieter than some of the busier nearby parkruns such as Milton Keynes. [I first visited here on 16th March 2019, and then volunteered here two weeks later]
Update 2022 - This course now has a footpath for the entire route, this obviously changes the nature of the parkrun quite considerably. It is now a fast and flat 4 lap course requiring road shoes all year round. The course is essentially the same as before except all 4 laps are the same, and the finish area has moved up the course a bit as a result.
Difficulty
On a dry calm day in summer this would be a 2 out of 5 due to difficulty of running on grass. On the damp (muddy) and very windy day I ran it on, it was more difficult maybe a 3 or a 4 out of 5. It is flat which means you don't have any hills to deal with.
Update 2022 - Now this course has a footpath for the entire route it is a fast and flat 1 out of 5 course, road shoes all year round.
The Course
This is an easy to follow course, on a nice day from the start area you pretty much have a full view of most of the route.
It is a 4 lap run around the perimeter of a field, from the start you follow a stream running to the left of a field as you enter from Northampton Road, there is a dip as you cross a field boundary and you basically keep following the field perimeter until the steam cuts across the field, you turn right and continue following the steam passing a footbridge on the left. You'll reach a Marshall who will direct you right and you head back to the start area. The first lap is slightly shorter so the second time you reach the Marshall they will direct you straight on and you'll turn right a bit later to take a slightly longer route back to the start. Laps 3 and 4 are the same as Lap 2.
Update 2022 - New course notes to follow, but basically follow the footpath around the parimeter of the field for 4 laps, even the ditch has been levelled out by the path... easy!
Elevation & Terrain
A very flat run, entirely on grass, muddy when I ran it in spring. Total elevation only 21m, most of this to be found in small undulations. Potential to be reasonably quick on a good day, but very slow on a bad one. There are no natural wind breaks so the wind can get quite extreme.
Update 2022 - Addition of footpath means road shoes all year round.
Parking, Facilities and Coffee
Parking is free in the Long Stay car park, just a short walk north of the park. Post parkrun coffee in the Forum Cafe (which is the building top right in the below photo. If you want toilets you need to head to the nearby Tesco.
Volunteering
Going back a couple of weeks later, I volunteered to barcode scan, it was a much nicer day, and I took some photos of the runners as well. Chatting to the core team there is a possibility that the course may get extended in future, although this is very much a long term plan.
Summary
A challenging off road multi lap course, with pleasant scenery and convenient parking, this course will probably be popular with local runners, as well as those looking for a W to run.
Link to the official parkrun site for this venue - http://www.parkrun.org.uk/watermeadows
Photos of runners on my Flickr feed from 30th March 2019 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/135953856@N02/albums/72157706280161831
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