It is great to be able today to run in a modern newly build park that only opened in 2008 that is Northala Fields. One of the main features are 4 artificial mounds that were partially constructed from the rubble of the old Wembley football stadium, it is great to see construction waste material used in such a very positive way as an iconic feature for the public to walk up and view from, top thinking and idea!

The biggest of the mounds stands 22 metres high and allows visitors to walk up on specially designed path to the top for a panoramic of the surrounding area!

Today  as always it is a pleasure to have the company of my good friend Martin Ball! Well done in getting a new overall parkrun PB of 38:38 it was an honour to be your pace runner sir!

Course

The course comprises of a single lap of both Northala Fields and Rectory Park, it starts off with a anticlockwise lap of the largest three mounds, then after passing the cafe you complete an entire anticlockwise perimeter lap of Rectory Park. Finally when you reach the cafe this time you do a clockwise loop of the mounds and the finish funnel is in front of the cafe!

Overall the course is relatively flat in nature with a few minor inclines, the surface under foot goes from tarmac to gravel, so not a bad course to set a fast time on!

Personal Stats

Today my time was irrelevant, it was all about pacing Martin to a new PB under 40 mins and I am glad this mission was achieved! For the record my time was 38:45

Important Info

There are two free car parks on this venue and there is a very modern San Remo cafe on site with toilet facilities out back!

The park facilities include six fishing lakes and 3 wild life ponds, a large children’s play area and don’t forget the great views from the observation mound!

 

Final Verdict

I will like to thank Philip Prince and his team of parkrun volunteers for making me and my friend very welcome today, excellent organised event guys!

Also in the team shot I would like to thank the very friendly policeman, I think his name is Nick for joining us and thanks but no thanks for the offer of having the photo with me in handcuffs 🙂

Finally interesting designed course that a good time can be achieved on!

Run on 29-10-2016

Extra News

Good luck today to Daniel Mann on taking the Leadership in Run Fitness course, you will make a fine running coach for the club mate!

Well done Kathy Sadler today reaching the milestone of her 50th parkrun, shame I missed it today, you are a top lady and excellent run director at Luton Wardown!

Also looking forward to cheering on from the sideline my running friends this Sunday that are taking part in this years Luton Half marathon!

Going to feel funny though as for the last two years I have participated in this event, but my focus for this year is concentrating on completing this parkrun capital challenge!

Finally it is going to be great fun to run this Monday as it is our social Halloween run I have helped organise. We are traveling to the spooky named Galley Hill, Luton that is a famous haunted location that is just over 2 miles away from the sports centre that we meet up at every Monday & Thursday!

There will be head torches, screams and a lot of fun I hope 😉

Best

Mark aka Silent Runner

Run on – 29/10/2016