If you’re feeling fit and looking forward to getting outdoors and running with an enthusiastic crowd, then you’re kinda spoiled for choice in Gloucestershire.
That’s because there are just so many – and in such beautiful locations too. All are just 5K and start at 9am on Saturdays. You can actually get involved in a different parkrun every week for at least two months. Discover which runs tempt you from this list right here:
Gloucester City Park
Inside the City Park at Park Road in Westgate, you’ll find a huge crowd of eager runners and walkers on Saturday mornings just ready to get going. It’s a lovely green parkrun route, and afterwards, you can grab a drink in the nearby Leisure Centre Café.
Coverham Enclosure Five Acres in the Forest of Dean
One of the prettiest parkruns you’ll encounter this year, the Coverham Enclosure, Five Acres in the Forest of Dean, has plenty to look at (if you’re not too busy chatting to your neighbour). It’ll take you past greenery and woodlands but just watch out for the mud in winter.
Kingsway Sports Pavilion in Gloucester
This parkrun at Kingsway Sports Pavilion covers tarmac, grass and gravel and starts at 9am on Saturdays. At the end of the run, there’s a chance to meet up for coffee or tea and some homemade cakes to make up for those lost calories.
@coachmag: “Almost two million people in the UK have taken part in a parkrun since it first launched back in 2004, and very few of those people will have a bad word to say about it.”
Pittville Park in Cheltenham
Another scenic run, the Pittville Park run, takes place amongst gorgeous flora and fauna in this ornamental park. It’s on grass and tarmac, and there’s a chance for a post-run coffee in the nearby Leisure Centre.
Lydney Boating Lake in Lydney
This is a very pretty run, where you can enjoy the sounds of the water lapping as you run around the Lydney Boating Lake. The course consists of a mix of stone, tarmac and trail pathways. Bring along your four-legged friend, as dogs can partake in this run too. Again, there’s a post-run coffee in a local café.
The Vineyards in Tewkesbury
This soft, grass course is nice enough just to spectate too. In fact, it’s OK to go along and watch if you’ve never done a parkrun event before. That way, you’ll know what’s involved before getting on your trainers at the Vineyards. Tewkesbury Rugby Club is where you’ll find the post-race refreshments.
Forest Leisure Centre in Newent
Another mixed course – grass, gravel and trail paths – this one has the potential to get very muddy if it starts to rain. After you’ve ticked off the Forest Leisure Centre route, head for the
Sports Bar at Newent Community School for a post-run chat.
Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester
Cirencester’s Royal Agricultural University makes a lovely parkrun, especially when you consider you are in sight of the first-ever agricultural college in the English-speaking western world. You get to see inside, too, as the post-run coffee is in the university’s dining room.
