Today was a first for me at Witney, West Oxfordshire as on all my travels I have never been to a parkrun that I first saw their core team over 4 years at their test takeover event at Oxford parkrun back on the 13th January 2018 with their inaugural event held just a couple of months afterwards on 10th March 2018.

Now it is great visit for their 130th event and seeing the fruits of their labours come to fruition 🙂

Course

This course consists of one small clockwise around the football/cricket field, then followed by two larger out and back laps that incorporates Deer Park Wood

Points to Note

• To make up the 5km distance near the start we go in the opposite direction for about 40 metres then make a u turn around a tree
• The course terrain is almost entirely made up of grass or trail paths around the wooded section. The only tarmac is a short cycle path just at the start of each out lap.
• I have been told after prolonged periods of rain it would be advisable to run in trail shoes on this course
• I do recommend if you are looking to post good time, place yourself at the point where you think you are going to finish in the event at the start as there are a few pinch points that is hard to overtake on
• Loved running up the slight uphill woodland path through the woods that has been beautifully kept by Witney Woodland Volunteers

My overall verdict the course with its woodland feature, very well signposted and love the enthusiasm of the marshals with special mention to my Fulham FC friend and the family with pom poms and a cowbells to cheer us along.

Facilities

There is free parking right near the parkrun at Windrush Industrial Estate post code OX29 0NB that is excellently sign posted and has it’s our Whitney event car park marshals.

Before the start of the parkrun there are two portaloos available behind West Witney Sports & Social Club that is always welcome for us tourists!!

Now for post run refreshments you have a choice of venues, I went for a mobile cafe behind West Witney Sports & Social Club called the Snack Shack for a lovely bacon roll & coffee before my long journey home!

Another place they recommend for a sit down and chat is Ue Coffee Roasters that is barely half a mile away from their designated car park.

Conclusion

I would like thank todays run director James Field and his excellent team of volunteers for making this a very enjoyable event to visit, you should be all very proud of what you have achieved over the last 4 years at Witney ever since I bumped into you all at Oxford parkrun takeover event!

So, my tourist friends if you are looking for very friendly well organised event with a great woodland trail feature to run then Witney parkrun is a must to visit!

Best Mark aka Silent Runner

Extra News

From now on my parkrun tourist adventures I will donate a tree in my dad’s memory for every parkrun I visit.