“Shrewsbury parkrun is the perfect 5k for serious runners and beginners alike, with a course that balances charm and challenge perfectly.”

Shrewsbury is a very special parkrun for me as it’s the first location I ever had a go at this “9am/5k thing”. Having ran it a handful of times since, in varied weather, it has retained the right mix of pleasure and challenge that the best parkruns seem to do.

Located on the banks of the River Severn, Quarry Park is a wide-pathed, tree-lined, family park, accessible from the historic town centre or the North-West coming over the pedestrian bridge.

The course itself is run on tarmac paths (that can accumulate mud and leaves) over a couple of laps with an out and back – almost a double lollipop. There is a short sharp hill which is made up for by the accompanying down, but sadly since the course update in 2017 you don’t get the 3 down to 2 up ratio you used to! Buggy racing is very easy, as is overtaking, it can just be a little congested at the start due to the popularity of the event (with around 400 runners each week).

Shrewsbury parkrun is the perfect 5k for serious runners and beginners alike, with a course that balances charm and challenge perfectly. It has a fantastic community of runners and volunteers including the fab Rik Pensa who paces loads of people to PBs (including myself)! Visitors are made to feel very welcome, marshals cheer you on and milestones are celebrated with aplomb. There are also many themed runs including a fab Christmas event where a group ran around singing carols dressed as a Nativity scene!

Facilities wise: parking free on estate to the NW (a km or so from start), paid parking very close to the start line; toilets about 400m from the start; large play parks for children; and food/drinks are available from Stop Coffee afterwards.

Find out more about Shrewsbury at parkrun.org.uk

Personal Stats

PB – 25:13
Best Position – 188th
Times run – 8