Mark Reynolds sends in this report from the inaugural Gateshead parkrun where we had 2 Tyne Bridge Harriers taking part.
Saturday 18th February 2012 marked the day when the parkrun phenomenon arrived in Gateshead. Much work has been going on behind the scenes to make this happen and the efforts of Race Director, Hilary Shaw, and the team of volunteers have been richly rewarded.

Mark Reynolds
The start area is at the top end of the park close to the main entrance. Brilliantly this is also the home to several pavilions that dot the park and provide an ideal area to meet, shelter and get ready for the run. A healthy gathering of parkrunners old and new were already there at 8:45am as a cool breeze pushed showers of rain overhead. Many familiar faces dotted the crowd including our own Rob Wishart (fresh from a morning warm up run that started in Co. Durham). There were welcoming words from parkrun HQ, as well as the Gateshead Race Director explaining the route and before we knew it everyone was off.
Gateshead parkrun Course
View Gateshead parkrun in a larger map
Initially we ran along the top path of the park to the far corner before taking a left downhill for some 400m. At this point it felt great, smooth fast running with plenty of energy in the legs. I then remembered that I’d be climbing back up this at the finish and tried not to go off too fast. We completed one large loop of the Northern Field in about 4 minutes, returning to the start line before descending again, this time to the bottom end of the park and the boating lake with its resident ducks. We then completed three shorter loops consisting of the combined lake and bowling green. Marshalls were dotted around the course in bright vests showing the way clearly and shouting out words of encouragement to all the runners. I kept to a steady pace round these laps keeping an eye on the runners in front and watching as Rob disappeared into the distance.

Rob Wishart
We then watched the rest of the 83 strong field cross the line from the handily placed benches, whilst chatting about the latest addition to the parkrun stable. Everyone agreed it was a good course, with an interesting and well planned route. Despite the up and down nature of the terrain there were never any long drags, with plenty of features preventing it becoming a slog. It was also great to be able to sample a new parkrun so close to home.
Many thanks to Hilary Shaw and the 14 enthusiastic volunteers who made it all possible as well as parkrun, the sponsors and other authorities who have backed the event. Here’s to many more Heedruns in the weeks, months and years to come!
Mark ‘Cuthbert’ Reynolds
Tyne Bridge Harriers Results
04 Rob Wishart – 19:51
05 Mark Reynolds -21:16
Full results of the first Gateshead parkrun here.
If you are interested in joining either this, or any of the other parkrun events in the region, head to www.parkrun.org.uk and get registered, it’s quick, free and easy.
3 comments
Nice to see you back Mark, looks a challenging course, will have to give it a go over the next few months, Whitley Bay Parkrun is also in the pipeline
good report. Btw, there were actually 3 TBHs present… on volunteer dooties was Dave-ina, er, Davina!
Good spot Rob – and apologies to Davina for overlooking her contribution, without which none of it would have happened in the first place…many thanks