Park run #1 - Hove Prom is fabulous

Yesterday I did  my first Parkrun of 2020 after missing New Years Day injured and it was my home run of Hove Prom Parkrun. Easily the best Parkrun in the country! The reasons being:

1. I just need to roll out of the front door and I am there
2. It is flat (although the weather can be challenging at times)
3. It has the sea - which makes me happy (although as in point 2 can cause weather related challeneges) 

and then there are all the reasons why I love Parkrun generally - even though, when asked, I will always claim to hate running.

The diversity and friendliness of the Parkrun community amazes me. It is such a supportive atmosphere. My 2020 challenge is a marathon but for many it could just be to get out in the fresh air more, do a bit more exercise, meet people, to get stronger, to get faster or just to run a 5km. Parkrun, whereever you are allows you to do all of these things.

• You can run - Hove prom has some seriously fast club runners if that is your challenge. 
• You can walk - you will never be last there is always a volunteer tailwalker to make sure everyone gets around.
• You can jog - Hove and many others have volunteer pace runners that can help you acheive your challenges. All of my PBs have been run with the amazing pacers in Hove. 
• You can take the kids - Parkrun is all about families. A highlight from this weeks run was hearing a young boy in a buggy yelling at his dad "Don't run over the stones Daddy!" and the smallest marshal who was volunteering with mum in her own little high-viz vest. 
• You can run with your dog - there is always one that barks excitedly through the run briefing because it is desperate to get going!  
• You can be guided - Hove prom has a number of visually impaired runners and their guides who are just part of the run although one chap finishes just ahead of me every week... someday I will catch him! 
• You can volunteer - You don't have to run to be part of it. Parkrun would not happen without the marhsalls, the timers, the barcode scanners and the run directors who give up their time every week so people can run, walk and jog their way around some beautiful courses. 
• You can have tea and cake - every Parkrun I have been to finished near a cafe where there is cake, or a bacon sandwich, and a great community of people to talk to. 

This year through my training for the London Marathon, Ride 100 and the Swim Serpentine (oh and the wedding) me and Becks are going to try and get at least 20 different Parkrun locations and I will try and write about them all.
Next I think will be Preston Park - to run with the amazing Anne who is challenging herself to a 10km in February.

 More information on my fundraising here