09/08/2026
Robert Jackson kindly sent us this run report from yesterday's Durham parkrun.
Thank you Robert!
Durham parkrun you are fabulous!
My wife, Michelle, and I travelled up from Manchester on Friday morning to spend a couple of days in the lovely city of Durham.
I was last here during the final year of my degree course in 1988, travelling up from Manchester on a day trip with the MMU athletics & cross country team to race the Durham University Cathedral Relays. It was 21 years for my wife.
I have been running and racing continuously for 45 years, since joining my home town running club at the age of 15.
In all those years and with a PB of 15mins 11s for 5km from 1999, you’d think I’d seen it all. Not so!
I only started park running in the summer of 2022 but I’m addicted!
In those 4 years I’ve done a total of 163 parkruns and Durham parkrun was my 12th different location.
Staying at a hotel in the centre, I steadily ran the 1.5km to the start near the university track.
The weather was glorious. Sunny and warm but not so warm that it felt hot.
I did some brisk strides and stretches and listened to the excellent and thorough first timers welcome by Karl, followed by the general briefing, equally well delivered.
A final sip from my water bottle.
Then it was time to take to the start line.
I’d already checked over the course map and description which proved to be spot on.
A very picturesque route indeed, predominately flat with varied underfoot terrain.
The first 3.5km on grass and gravel tracks including crossing over a bridge to the other side of the River Wear.
The final 1.5km is the very BEST of all the parkruns I’ve done.
Racing along the tarmac path of the river with Durham Cathedral and Castle in the skyline plus the finish on the other side of the river.
Then it was over the bridge and the final 500m charge to the finish line near the bandstand beside the river.
Absolutely fabulous, despite the pain of my all out effort making its mark!
From that viewpoint my wife was able to get some super photos.
I was really pleased to finish 10th overall and 1st in my age category and 1st on age grading in 19mins 12s.
After a quick chat with my wife, I then collected a parkrun volunteer gilet from the very friendly and helpful Race Director Claire. I was on funnel manager duties with a couple of others.
The parkrunners arriving at the finish line seemed to go on and on which is fantastic. They were very kind in offering thanks and very good at staying in order down the finish funnel until they collected their finish position token ahead of the barcode scanning process to get their official finish time and position
A brilliant 414 people finished Durham parkrun event number 662.
In addition, an amazing 32 volunteers without which parkrun could not take place.
Without exception, all were very welcoming and cheerful including the marshals shouting encouragement out on the course.
Race Director Claire put the all important Durham parkrun sign out at both the start and finish for people to get their souvenir photos.
First male overall was James Curry in a speedy 17mins 22s
First female overall was Sarah Kerr in an equally speedy 20mins 06s.
A special mention to VI runner Aileen who did a sterling job guiding Andrew to complete his first parkrun. Well done both.
Also, two milestones with both Judith Wood and Jeff Russell completing their 100th parkruns.
A massive well done to you both too.
Finally, a big thank you to all involved with Durham parkrun. You delivered a fantastic event. As I said earlier, the final 1.5km is UNBEATABLE.
Hopefully, we will visit the beautiful city of Durham again and I will get to do the epic Durham parkrun!
Thank you,
Robert Jackson.
