Cyclopark parkrun

On my last parkrunday, I have visited Cyclopark parkrun for the first time. It was not the original plan: I spent the week thinking I would drive to the coast for a change, but rain was heavy and persistent for a few days. Hence, the decision to leave coastal events for better weather and look for one that would be mostly tarmac for now. Cyclopark intrigued me for a while because I really did not know what to expect and it was no what I imagined it to be.

I have spent a good amount of time hopping around Kent events recently, with a recent visit to new(ish) Whitecliffe Lake parkrun to the more well established Dartford parkrun and renamed Leybourne Lakes parkrun.

I usually scan challenges to decide where to go and, as a last resort, fill empty slots in my Voronoi map. This week, Cyclopark parkrun offered a tick on the prime numbers list, so why not. It was also on the edges of my map, expanding my reach a little bit in a very dense area. And it’s all tarmac.

Anyway, enough with my rumblings. It’s time to dive into some more info about Cyclopark parkrun!

Trip to Cyclopark parkrun and parking

Cyclopark parkrun is located just off the A2, not far from the M25. It is extremely convenient to drive to from most of the South East, if you are not unlucky enough to get stuck on one of the nearby motorways. On the way I drove there, a collision had just happened on the M25 and the opposite side was backed up for miles.

According to the official event site, public transport is a viable option, but it will not be a convenient one. The closest train stations are Gravesend and Ebbsfleet, 1.8 and 2.7 miles away respectively. Both are served by Southeastern and offer frequent connection to London and Kent. However, you will be at least half a parkrun away from the meeting point when you get there. A bus is available if you arrive at Gravesend. Plan your trip carefully with something like Citymapper if you decide to go this way.

If driving, as said above the venue is just off major motorways. Once you leave it, there are two slightly confusing roundabouts, then you back out on a local street and the entrance of Cyclopark will be seconds away, on your right. You enter straight onto a large and long car park. Drive towards the opposite side, if you can: that’s where the meeting point and facilities will be. You have to pay for the car park, but it is not expensive. However, it is not on any app network. Scan a QR code from one of the signs and a dedicated website will open to pay before leaving, not when you arrive. Or go to the cafe and pay at the dedicated machine.

One additional thing to consider if you come to parkrun with your dog. Dogs are not allowed at the Cyclopark, but they are welcome to parkrun. So the official website suggests a route to reach parkrun from the carpark minimising the dog’s time on Cyclopark’s other facilities.

Cyclopark parkrun: start and briefings

If you are coming from the car park, you will have seen parkrun signs on the path running by the parking bays on the right side coming in. That’s part of the route. Facing the buildings, a parkrun banner was easily visible on the right corner when I visited, making it very clear where I had to be. As you approach it, enter the cafe if you need to use the toilets or turn right onto the path if you want to head straight for the meeting point.

Toilets are open before 9am, but the cafe won’t be. Sorry, no caffeine boost before the event. A service station is available just outside the venue before you turn into it if you really need it.

The meeting point is just around the corner, with volunteers congregating on an elevated walkway to the side of the path. The pop up sign will be about 50/100m further away on the path, where the start line will be. Just in case you want the coveted selfie before everything starts.

Once it’s time, the First Timers briefing happens next to the pink flag, towards the car park. There was a large contingent of tourists on the day of my first visit, in part at least because of a race organised on site after parkrun. Afterwards, everybody goes back to the meeting point and the RD gives a briefing from the elevated walkway. This is the first time you will feel how busy it is and realise that the path is not narrow, but it will get congested, at least at the beginning. When I was there, there was also a visit by Dame Kelly Holmes, who was volunteering as a parkwalker. I finished faster than an Olympian! 🙂

After the briefing, everybody walks over the start line and get ready to go, facing back towards the buildings. It was not long before the countdown started. Seed yourself appropriately because if you are not in front, you will have a slow start, overtaking won’t be easy for a while.

Cyclopark parkrun course review – star ratings

Cyclopark parkrun course review – route highlights

There were 307 parkrunners on the day of my visit to Cyclopark parkrun. Looking at historical records, this might well be the local attendance record. And if it is not, it is must be pretty close to it because I cannot find other parkrundays above 300 during recent years. I wonder if it was because of the other event being organised on site or because of the cancellation risk borne by more rural routes. Regardless, well done Cyclopark parkrun for an efficient event on a great showing. Average attendance still seems to be healthy, around the mid 200s and, while the event is certainly busy, it is not busy enough to become unpleasant.

Congestion at Cyclopark parkrun can be a consideration. With the field size present at my visit, the start was slow. Not walking pace, but pretty close, starting from mid pack. Overtaking was very very difficult all the way to the first turnaround point. The fact that the path is nearly always shared by runners going in both directions make the few 100s metres even busier. That said, once you are back past the start line in the opposite direction the path becomes wider and the field thins out. Also bear in mind there are metal bollards close to the cafe building. Not a big deal on most later passes, but a potential hazard when getting there the first time with everyone bunched up close together.

Surface-wise, it’s pretty decent tarmac all through. The local team warned about some section being potentially slippery, but compared to other venues in January it was like running on track. I wore road shoes and even on a very wet J

Elevation-wise, at 45m elevation gain over slight less than two out and back laps, you can feel the elevation on this course, but it is not too taxing. The out and back starts flattish, then after the first turnaround you head towards a long, nice gentle downhill. However, all that goes down need to come back up in a close loop. So the ‘back’ portion is a 1K-long gentle climb back. And you do it twice.

In terms of course layout, it is a relatively straight out and back. You start close to one end but run the short bit first and then go back all the way. On the final segment, the finish funnel will be where the start line was, with runners not having to go to the end of the short bit anymore.

A quick Reliveroute plot is on my YouTube Channel, with longer video highlights embedded below.

Everyone walks from the meeting point to the start line, walking away from the buildings and car park. Then it is time to turn around and face the start line again. The start is fairly narrow, congested and slow. But it is flat, dry and in an absolutely straight line. After a few seconds, you reach the buildings and run by the elevated walkway where volunteers stand. Then pass a few bollards and start running by the car park. Depending on your pace, eventually this segment is probably where you will start seeing the front runners coming back in the other direction. From here, the path will always be shared by parkrunners going in opposite directions. I like this, it makes it look busier and fun.

It won’t be long before you reach the turnaround point, roughly half way through the car park. Here you will have to turn 180-degrees around a cone. The first time, it will be busy, you can be sure about that. Then it’s all the way back, to the buildings and further on towards the start line. After that, the long segment starts. It’s about 1k, mostly straight and mostly on a descending slope. It is noticeable enough to be pleasant and the aspect of the path also opens up, with green on both sides and open sights.

Roughly half way there is a bit of a paved clearing, with a gentle left turn. But this is pretty much it in terms of ‘turns’. Then you need to keep going all the way to the end of the straight where the next turnaround point will be around a larger roundabout. When you leave it, you have to pay for the fun you have had descending the incline and climb back up. For 1K. With very little change: it’s a a consistent, gentle but long climb. As you keep going, you will eventually reach the original start line, that has in the meanwhile turned into a finish funnel. Keep going for one full lap again.

At the end, you will not have to reach the car park turnaround point anymore, but find rest after the second long climb after going through the finish funnel.

Congratulations on completing Cyclopark parkrun!

Facilities at Cyclopark parkrun

In many ways, Cyclopark is the perfect venue for a parkrun. It’s a venue established and managed as a charity to promote physical activity among general population. While there are facilities offering indoor options too, the core focus here is on cycling and if you are a fan, there is a lot to do here. I would definitely use it if it were closer to home.

The main building hosts a nice little cafe with a few tables and decent choices and toilets. A lot of changing rooms are also available indoor and in the buildings outside around the courtyard.

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?

At Cyclopark parkrun, I ordered a Diet Coke, an excellent Eccles Cake and a single espresso. This cost me about £8.

Cyclopark 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

In the middle of a very dry spell, Cyclopark parkrun is a godsend. Terrain is in good state and it drains well and there is absolutely no mud. The layout could seem boring, but it was interesting and enjoyable, at least for the occasional visitor. I had a good time and the atmosphere was very welcoming and supportive. The cafe is also not bad at at all and on summer days there is plenty of outside space to explore.

Finally, obviously, thank you, Cyclopark parkrun team for your hospitality!