Bedfont Lakes parkrun (#107)

I had not planned my location for this Parkrunday based on any specific challenge, but then I saw there was one massive hole on my Voronoi map where Bedfont Lakes parkrun was, so the decision was pretty easy! Bedfont is not too far away from my place, but I had putting this venue aside for a long time because of its reputation as a very muddy course when it rains. And it has been raining since January, hasn’t it?

With my local being Wimbledon Common, that notoriously turns into two loops across quicksands when it rains, I kind of avoid muddy courses for my touristing. Summer is the time to fill in the gaps that I accumulate during winter.

For some reasons, giving a look at course pictures and reading some other run reports, I was under the impression that it would also be a course with a lot of tree cover, so I was sold. I was wrong, read this again, Bedfont Lakes parkrun is not under tree cover: bring a hat or prepare to boil in hot weather. Maybe you like it 🙂

Anyway, I have now completed West London, so no more excuses to avoid venturing on the tube early on Saturday morning… or maybe there are some: a few nice venues left to try in Surrey.

Trip to Bedfont Lakes parkrun and parking

It’s pretty close to where I live, I think it was number 4 or number 5 in my Nendy list. Unfortunately, the Nendy list assumes you can fly and I still have received the helicopter I have ordered on Amazon, so I have to go all around on the A3 and the M25. Nonetheless, I fairly comfortable start leaving home around 8am.

Following the route suggested by my dear friend Waze, I was pretty uncomfortable for about 10 minutes, because the last 10 minutes were all spent driving around inside the Heathrow estate. That was weird and unexpected, and a bit triggering for a frequent business traveller who goes to that sad place at 5am once or twice a week at least. But suddenly we got out and all was good. Off towards Stain and then, magically, there was a little turn into this nice park hidden near the airport.

I arrived to the larger parking lot suggested on the main course page around 8:40 and there were still a lot of empty spaces available. It also has an overflow area, so I doubt you will ever risk getting here and finding it full.

The parking is probably 5 minutes walk from the start area. Also, bear in mind that if you use the 5K app gps ‘get me there’ feature from the parking to the start, it will send you all around coasting the lake adding probably 5/600m. But you will see people congregating from afar, so you can easily see how to cut across.

Bedfont Lakes parkrun: start and briefings

The meeting point is on a little hill by some trees with beautiful views across large open fields: kind of yellowish at the moment, but I am sure normally it has a very appealing impact. However, no ‘lakes’ visible from the Bedfont Lakes start area. Funny.

Also, bear in mind there are no toilets anywhere around the start or the parking area. According to the official course page there are toilets near the other (smaller) parking area on the other side of the park, which is not necessarily within easy reach unless you come with plenty of time to spare. And yes, if you are a man and think that’s not a big deal: not many secluded bushes either, sorry.

The team of volunteers was great as expected from reading other reports and they went beyond their call of duty to make visitors feel welcome. Slightly quirky, fun and engaging briefing from both the RD and the volunteer responsible for the New Runners/Visitors pre-briefing. The RD pointed out that the local team is often having issues filling the roster and it would be a huge shame if such a nice, old parkrun started having problems hosting events: if you are local or coming with a runner, please consider helping out if you can.

At the end of the briefing, you need to walk over to the start, which is probably a whole 3 metres away, so don’t overdo it on the warm up. Also, as recommended by the RD, keep to the path for the initial straight and avoid being caught up in off path overtaking: apparently there are traps you might fell into/over. Maybe they were laid out to catch tourists who did not pay attention?

Bedfont Lakes parkrun course review – star ratings

Bedfont Lakes parkrun course review – route highlights

After a grassy run last week at Foots Cray Meadows parkrun, this week I ended up at another moderately cross country location, but no grass this time, mostly hard path.

As already said, I thought there would be a lot of wooded trails providing cover from the sun here, but it is definitely not the case. If you visit on a hot, bright day, bring a hat or be prepared to summer – a bit, it’s London after all, not Madrid.

The surface is on the gravelly side: I ran in road shoes and it was ok, but I think I would benefited from a bit more grip had I worn trial shoes. The venue also is supposed to get really muddy when it rains, so in those weeks, trail shoes are probably a must.

In terms of route, you start in the middle of the loop you at the end of the squiggle you can see above. After a few 100s metres, you are through the squiggle, turn left and go complete two laps before re-interning the squiggliness. So, technically, 2.1/2.2 laps, I would say.

The course if fairly flat, with a few mild up and downs that won’t be particularly taxing. The long straight is mostly on an ascending gradient and I think it is slowing people down a bit, but it is all very manageable.

Back to the route, the views around you are pretty and good enough to keep things interesting for a newcomer. Given the location, you can also entertain yourself with a bit of plane spotting if it’s your thing, since it is a continuous flow. Strangely, not much noise I could hear.

After leaving the Squiggle section (I decided it’s a thing), you turn left and you will follow the path on an ondulating pattern with a few trees and some fun gentle corners until you reach two smaller lakes. Volunteers were positioned at both corners and away from the corners, runners were cheered on by a baffled swan and, further on, a family of ducks enjoy the shadow.

The end of the second little lake is signed by another hard left where a lovely dancing and singing volunteer was aptly positioned to ensure we would not run into the fence. And here you get into the long straight at the bottom of the course map.

It is long, it is straight, it is slightly climbing. It is long. When you think you have reached the end, you get past a tree and see you are only half way. Silver lining, once you actually get to the end you get to enjoy a small descent and then run past a well appointed children’s play area.

After the kiddies area, you will soon reach another marshal that is positioned essentially at the entrance of the car park, by the ‘motte’. From here it is just a matter of running down by the lake and then back up all the way to Squiggle turn. One more lap and you can turn back into the Squiggle – hold your horses, not time to sprint yet. About half way through the squiggle let it go and enjoyed a glorious sprint finish regardless of my crappy time.

It’s not a huge field of runners, so the finish funnel is short and scanning ops are fast and efficient.

Facilities at Bedfont Lakes parkrun

Allegedly, there are toilets at the other car park – if/when I come back, I will check it out.

There is no cafe around the park. The official course page suggests to meet at a cafe in Staines, but I had come prepared with an energy bar and some water, so I went back to my car to start the weekend. It’s always a bit of a shame when there isn’t a cafe in the park, but you can’t always have everything.

As a competitor to the McDonald’s index, I am continuing to collect data for the parkbreakfast index: how much is breakfast at each location? The lack of a cafe has to set Bedfont Lakes parkrun as an n/a.

Bedfont Lakes 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

It’s a fun run facilitated by a friendly team of volunteers that are clearly enjoying what they are doing and having a lot of fun. It helps and it makes it a special day also for occasional visitors like me: thank you for your hospitality!

It’s not exactly around the corner, but I suspect I will be back one day! Maybe if I happen to land from a long-haul flight on a Saturday morning.