Hinskley Park Recreation Ground junior parkrun
If you’ve never heard of or been to a junior parkrun, here’s a guide with everything you need to know.
What is Hinksley Park Recreation Ground junior parkrun?
It’s a free, fun, and friendly 2km event for juniors (4 to 14 year olds). It takes place at Hinksley Road Recreation Ground in Flitwick.
This video will give you a quick overview of what a junior parkrun is like - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrCDL7Y7HBY
When and where is it?
It is held every Sunday at 9:00am so please arrive at 8.50am for a briefing and quick warm up.
We’ve been running for a year and haven’t cancelled yet – if we do have to cancel for any reason we’ll post on our Facebook page (Hinksley Park Recreation Ground junior parkrun) and the official parkrun website (https://www.parkrun.org.uk/cancellations/) letting you know.
There is no public parking at Hinksley Recreation Ground so we ask families to park on Enterprise Way (the road with Jewsons on – MK45 5BT) and walk along the short path next to Country Vehicles Flitwick (CVF).
What does it cost to join in?
Nothing - it's completely free! You don’t need to pay anything at all to register or to take part each week. You don’t need any special clothing or footwear either.
What do I have to do before I come?
Please register before you first come along. You can do this at https://www.parkrun.org.uk/register/
You only need to do this once and you’ll get an email with an ID number and link to your personal barcode.
You’ll need to show your barcode at the end of the parkrun. This can be on a phone or as a paper print out. If you love parkrun and start to come regularly, you can buy a wristband or keyring tag with it on – but you don’t have to, especially when you’re new.
What happens at a parkrun?
Come along at 8.50am (no need to book or let us know) and listen to the short briefing first. You’ll hear the Run Director sharing important information. You’ll then take part in a quick warm up with your friends. At 9.00am, the parkrun will start. Go around our U-shaped track twice and then go up the middle to the finish funnel. Stay in order as you take a finish token. Finally, a volunteer will scan your personal barcode and finish token (before you pop the token in the pot for us to use again next week).
What happens afterwards?
A little while later, you’ll get a parkrun email confirming your attendance and giving you your parkrun time.
You can click on ‘Take a Look’ and see the full results for the week. Click on the three little dots (top right) to see a more detailed view. You can then see who came from our Russell Runners group too. Click on your own name to open up your parkrun history and look for your dates and times. Did you get a PB?
What are Russell Runners?
At Russell, we’ve set up our own Russell Runners group. This means Mrs Coles is able to see which year groups have the greatest attendance and who deserves the ‘golden trainers’ each week and certificates each term.
It’s great for us to have a big presence at Hinksley and lead the way!
To join this group, log back into your parkrun profile and scroll down to Groups. Start typing Russell and you’ll see our group name appear.
Do adults have to run with children?
Adults have to stay in the park while children are taking part but they don’t have to run with your child / children. They are in sight for the whole time and there are volunteer marshals spread throughout the course to encourage them round.
If you want to run, jog or walk alongside them that’s fine – but please don’t go through the finish line. Let them do that on their own.
How fast do I have to be?
The aim is to have fun. Please come along and join in whatever your pace! You can run, jog, skip or walk. It doesn’t matter whether you finish in 8 minutes or 28 minutes. You’ll still get encouragement and cheers from all the volunteers.
Who organises the junior parkrun?
The event has two Event Directors (Diana and Jitka) who manage everything behind the scenes and then a group of Run Directors who are in charge each week (Barry, Becca, Catherine, Chris, Diana, Heather, Jitka, Mike and me – Mrs Coles). There are lots of other volunteers to come along and help. They marshal the car park and the course, welcome first timers, lead the warm up, give out the finish tokens and scan everything.
There are always tailwalkers too – these are people at the back (so that no child is ever last).
Some of the volunteers are students from Redborne Upper School taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.
Children can also do many of the volunteer roles – just ask and we’ll book you in.
Can anyone else help?
Yes – we’re always grateful for extra volunteers. You need to be registered with parkrun yourself. Then message us via our Facebook page or at hinksleyparkrecgroundjuniors@parkrun.com and we’ll add you to the roster.
What if my child has SEND?
We have two social story cards which you’re welcome to use. You can take these home to share before the event and then keep them during the event if you want to. If you need other support, contact the team. We’ll be happy to help.
What do we celebrate?
When you’ve completed 11 events, this is the same as a half marathon. 21 events is a full marathon. We’ll present you with a wristband and take your photo with one of our banners.
For children who become really keen regulars, you’ll also earn wristbands after 50, 100 and 250 events.
You can log into your profile and print off certificates at home to match these milestones too.
What if I still have questions?
Please feel free to either message the official email address above or ask Mrs Coles in person or by email (penguinclass@russell-lower.co.uk).
