Sunny Hill parkrun (#102)

Sunny Hill parkrun was not my planned destination this week, but I got inspired earlier in the week when seeing the weather forecasts. It looked like we might see the sun again after a few gloomy months and this venue was still on my todo list, so why not to try it out?

With the ‘Sunny’ part checked, what about the other component of the Sunny Hill parkun name? Well, it lives up to it: as beautiful as it is, this might be a contended with Roundshaw and Lloyd for the hardest parkrun in London. Take the mud away from those two and I am sure Sunny Hill parkrun comes out on top in this enviable competition!

Also, while writing my latest post on parkrun challenges, I had noticed that the hilly Hendon event would host event number 144, which would tick one of the remaining slots on my Fibonacci series. The decision was taken.

It was one of my top5 Nendy’s and it’s not particularly close to where I live: Parkrunday’s mornings are gonna get early in the near future.

Trip to Sunny Hill parkrun and parking

The event takes place in Sunny Hill Park, on the verges of Hendon, in Barnet. I had spent some time in West Hendon in the past and I was surprised to find such a nice park in the area: confirmation that any and every part of London hides several jewels, if you look for them.

After my first experience with public transport going to parkrun last week when going to Thames Path parkrun, today I got back to my driving routine. I know, it’s bad for the environment: I promise I will do better.

The drive from Wimbledon was surprisingly clear and fast, in 40 minutes I had cross London from SW to NW… the way back won’t be the same.

There is a parking in the park itself, by the cafe, a couple of minutes walk from the start. It looked fairly full after the run, but numbers are low here so I would bet you should be fine if you get there around 8.30. Instead, I followed the postcode on the main course page (and above), which brought me to a residential area bordering the park at the top of the hill. Plenty of space available here as well and it seems to be free on ‘non event’ days.

Sunny Hill parkrun: start and briefings

The meeting point is at the lowest point in the park, probably not to waste and of the fun you will be able to enjoy climbing the hillS (S, yes, plural) when you get started. Coming from the parking, it is a short walk in a straight line. Coming from where I was, it is a 5 minutes walk down the hill. Terrifying experience since I could see the parkrun cone route markets on the pavement up at the top.

The first impact coming from the top is gorgeous, stunning in a sunny day: wide view over North London including the Wembley arches, lush trees and well tended green hills. From the right angle, it feels like you are out in the countryside and not in a busy and relatively grey part of North London.

This seems to be a very small event: when I was there it was about 100 people and a quick scan on past results seems to suggest it is usually around 70/80 runners. Not sure, but I think this is the smallest field I had in London, more or less like Old Deer Park used to be.

A small event comes unsurprisingly with a tight-knit group of volunteers who are enthusiastic and friendly and Sunny Hill parkrun confirmed this. The First Timers briefing merged into the main briefing and it was delivered by a quirky Run Director who made it fun and engaging – funny comment when he said not to miss a left turn on top or we might end up in Hendon, ‘and nobody wants that’. Self deprecating sarcasm is always funny, even when not exactly PC. 🙂

Then it’s off to the start, a whole 30 seconds walk from the briefing cabin.

Sunny Hill parkrun course review – star ratings

Sunny Hill parkrun course review – route highlights

Sunny Hill parkrun has 2.5 laps: a first short loop to the North of the route and then a larger figure 8 loop twice. The short and the long loop meet near the start point. The whole route is on paved paths, except 20 metres on grass just before the finish funnel.

When you start you run 50 metres down to the area where the briefing happened and then you turn left for the first ascent. This is fairly mild and short and stupid me was happy and optimistic: if this is it, then no problem running it, right? Also, it comes 20 seconds after the start, you muppet! I will change my positive mindset soon.

After a short flat on top of what I will find out should be called Baby Hill, you can enjoy a nice descent to the start area to finish the first small loop. And then its up Baby Hill again, but this time you turn right on top, not left.

When you turn, the view opens up on a big chunk of London in the background and lush green meadows nearby: it’s gorgeous. And it is a long, straight, moderately steep descent: fun fun fun. You can actually let gravity do its thing and bank a good split here and I recommend people do it, you will need it. At the bottom you turn left and you see it, its Mama Hill. And it’s not a nice mum: it hides it’s real intentions. Twice you see a steep long ascent and when you get to top, there is a short flat straight and then mummy wants you to start climbing again. Bring your mountaineering kit, people!

At the end of the third gift from Mama Hill, there is a long mixed section with straights, descents and a couple of refresher climbs just so that you don’t forget why the venue has Hill in its name. It’s nice and it has sections under high tree cover mixed with open path with wide ranging views. Then you are down and see the start area again.

You pass by the volunteers a second time and yup, Baby Hill and Mama Hill once more! Fun 🙂

The finish funnel is the shortest I’ve seen in the UK, but it is efficient and fast. The local team is just very nice… it seems to be a given across parkrun venues, but every time I visit a new one I am positively surprised by how so many people can be genuinely upbeat and welcoming, each in their own individual, distinct way.

Facilities at Sunny Hill parkrun

The cafe, with male and female toilets, is just a short walk from the start/finish spot. If you need the toilets before the run and have parked up top, walk down with a few minutes to spare, just to make sure you find it and have time walk there and back.

The cafe is quite nice, with a strong personality and a large and beautiful outside seating area. As a new equivalent to the McDonald’s index, I am now starting the parkbreakfast index: how much is breakfast at each location? The nice croissant, Diet Coke and single espresso were £6.80, which is decently honest for London and with table service to a pleasant outdoor picnic area.

Sunny Hill parkrun: Video Highlights

As usual, I’ve taken a few video snippets during the run to give an idea of the course. If you like it, please subscribe, it’s a fun past time for me 🙂

The other parkrun videos on my YouTube channel are all linked on the course review and video highlights summary page.

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Achievements and performance

Conclusions

I might have rose tinted glasses due to seeing the sun for the first time in months, but this looked like a truly beautiful park with an interesting course. The views are gorgeous, the park is well tended and the route is varied and challenging.

Jokes aside, Baby Hill is a good appetiser and Mama Hill is fun, in a masochistic kind of way.

It’s not exactly around the corner from where I live, but this is definitely a venue I’d love to come to, if the opportunity arises.