Today was all about milestones with Wanstead Flats, East London being 40th event on this year-long Capital parkrun Adventure and it did not disappoint!

Located on the Southern border of Epping Forest it is great to say I have run a small part of this ancient woodland, I am one lucky man!!!

I would also like to congratulate my home parkrun of Luton Wardown whose 2nd birthday was today! I have been very impressed by the progress of Luton that now boosts regular attendances over 300 runners every week, but still remains as a very friendly welcoming parkrun community!

I miss you all terribly and look forward to seeing you all on the 24th June!

Course

The course is 2 clockwise laps that has a mixture of running surfaces from grass playing fields to trail paths running around a woodland section! The start and finish is almost in the same location in front of the two iconic tower blocks that act as a striking backdrop!

Just after running around the playing field parameter at the start of each lap you run on a trail path to a lovely wooded section that is in the form of an out and back loop! Next you are back on trial paths again until near the end of the lap you reach the far corner of the playing fields that is about 300m from the finish tunnel on the final lap!

There are a few points I need to mention about this course

• The course is well signposted with directional arrows on wooden posts
• In a period of wet weather I would definitely recommend trail running shoes
• Be careful of the exposed tree roots especially in the woodlands section

I loved this course it was predominantly flat with the great feeling that you have just entered a cross-country run!

Personal Stats

Hard to judge what is a good time as grass trails are always going to be slower than tarmac footpaths. Happy with the time of 33:36 with my current fitness level

Important Info

There is free parking at this event right near the start at Harrow Road Pavilion Sat Nav E11 3QD, please be aware if you get there to early like i did you may find the main gate closed, my advice would be aim to get there for 8:30am to be safe!

Toilets are available before the start at the Pavilion and there is a great pop up cafe in one of the rooms afterwards! I love the idea of self-service cafe with hot water from a large urn, choice of beverages and the muffins were a delicious addition!

These are all supplied by the local parkrun community, so don’t forget fellow tourists donate to their cafe fund!

Final Verdict

I would like to thank Mike the run director and his team of volunteers for making me, my friend martin and everyone extremely welcome today! Special mention to Tony and Morag it was my pleasure to meet you both!

So this is my final parkrun in East London and that makes me a little bit sad as every parkrun community in the area has treated me like gold and I always felt that I was running back at my home parkrun in Luton!!

Well done Wanstead, excellent course and top community!!

Best

Mark

Run on 15/04/2017