Take your pick of stunning parkruns in the East Midlands. Here are just a few.
*Boultham Park parkrun, Lincoln:
The five acres of Boultham Park are just south of Lincoln city centre. There is a lake, woodlands, a children’s play area and even a zip line to enjoy! The parkrun course itself forms three anti-clockwise laps on paved paths. There used to be a grand house here in the park, Boultham Hall, which was used as a convalescent home for soldiers in World War I and had a part in the Dig for Victory campaign. These days, parkrunners can enjoy a nice cup of tea after the event in the park café.
*Watermead Country Park Junior parkrun, Leicester:
Watermead Country Park (pictured above) is lush with reedbeds, wet woodlands and wildflower meadows – though little ones won’t need their wellies unless they really love jumping in puddles. The junior course is on a mixture of trail and tarmac, starting and finishing with a little loop of the family picnic field at the top of King Lear’s Lake. Young people, their families and volunteers might be lucky enough to spot otters, shrews, weasels and stoats – or sand martins and kingfishers in the sky.
*Kettering parkrun, Northamptonshire:
There can’t be many parkruns that take place at a theme park! Wicksteed Park (pictured right) was founded as a recreation park way back in 1921 by inventor and entrepreneur Charles Wicksteed. It now has English Heritage listing. The parkrun is absolutely packed with features – taking in views of roller coasters, water slides and model railways. It’s a two lap course on a mix of tarmac, stone paths and even crosses a wooden pontoon bridge. After the event you can join for a post-parkrun coffee at the Carousel Café or, if you fancy it, take a ride on the carousel.
*Central Park Junior parkrun, Boston:
Back in the late 18th century, Central Park in Boston (pictured above) was a private deer park. It was acquired for public use in 1919 and these days you’ll find a skate park, play area and an aviary in the park. On Sunday mornings, junior parkrunners start and finish near the aviary, following two large laps and then a smaller one on a mixture of terrain including grass, gravel and asphalt.
Long Eaton, Nottinghamshire:
This two lap, well-signed course starts near West Park’s rugby club and cricket pavilion. The flat paths make it a perfect choice for a first parkrun. Should you be lucky enough to visit in November, you might see the Chestnut Fair, while in June you can have fun at the Long Eaton Carnival, a tradition that dates back to 1931 – though Long Eaton itself is old enough that it’s found in the Domesday Book!
Rosliston, Swadlincote:
Rosliston is one of several parkruns that take place within the National Forest: 200 square miles that has transformed a post-industrial Midlands landscape into a flourishing biodiverse space. The scenic surfaced trails of the parkrun – which starts and finishes handily near the visitor centre and café – meander through Bluebell Woods and Greenheart Lakes (what lovely names!). After the parkrun, you can enjoy safe cycle routes, outdoor play areas and even a sensory garden.
Belvoir Castle, Grantham:
Belvoir Castle parkrun (pictured above) has not one but two courses: a summer and a winter route. In winter it takes place on permanent paths and in warmer months it moves onto lovely trails. But, of course, it’s all about those castle views! In fact, though the castle was first built shortly after the Norman Conquest of 1066, it’s been rebuilt at least three times since then. It was the Normans who chose that French ‘Belvoir’ name, but the local Anglo-Saxons couldn’t (or perhaps wouldn’t) pronounce it correctly, so they opted for calling it “Bee-va” castle. Given that was a thousand years ago, we think it’ll probably stick.
* This location hosts both a Saturday parkrun and a Sunday junior parkrun.
