“A fast run that provides a good challenge in a big crowd!”

I popped into Braunstone a pitstop parkrun on my way up the M1 (a ten minute or so detour each way). A well-established parkrun, Braunstone is a beautiful park which follows an avenue of trees, a number of bridges and lakes and even a woodland section. The pre-run briefing was one of the more interesting… we were informed of people asleep on the route after a “hard night” and that if we received “any abuse from other members of the park” to not give it back! It was a reminder that I was on the rougher side of Leicester.

The course is two laps around the park, starting and finishing on grass, with the majority of the route ran on hard paths. It’s gently undulating with uphills around the middle and at the end – the latter catching a few tired runners by surprise! Overall through Braunstone is a fast run that provides a good challenge in a big crowd.

Numbers are generally around the 350 mark and there is enough space to overtake on the route apart from right at the start when it can get a little congested. Buggy running would be a breeze and you’ll be fine in standard trainers. It was very well marshalled and there were lots of friendly people to help you find your way from the car park to the start line.

Facilities wise: free and plentiful parking at the Leisure Centre about 800m away from the start line (there is road parking around); toilets at the leisure centre; there is a mobile coffee van serving a range of drinks before and after.

Find out more about Braunstone at parkrun.org.uk

Personal Stats

PB – 24:45
Best Position – 110th
Times run – 1