Gail from Durham tells us about her 5k loop around Durham that takes in some of the Durham Parkrun route
Since becoming a runner in 2009 I’ve had a love/hate relationship with the sport. At first it was a chore, something I had to do in order to lose weight - I’m almost 40lb down now, and I owe it all to exercise and healthy eating!
I used to start out doing 2k runs which took me about 20 minutes walking/jogging. I gave up running for a while in my second year of university and started going to the gym instead, preferring the safety of the treadmill where I couldn’t be seen by other runners and I couldn’t fall flat on my face (I’m notoriously clumsy and accident prone). However when I heard about Durham Parkrun about a month ago I decided it was finally time to get out in the open air and try and do something different that would challenge and motivate me.
My first Parkrun (5km) I completed in 32 minutes, which beat my previous personal best by 5 minutes! I was inspired and elated. Since then I’ve been trying to run 5k at least once a week and beat my score, so far I’ve only matched it. But time is an insignificant detail compared to the feeling I get from running; the pure adrenaline bringing me to life. Now running isn’t just an aid to weight loss, but part of a lifestyle I’ve come to love. I’m healthy and strong, and running will only ever help me improve. Even when I’m coughing and spluttering, desperate to reach the finish line, I know I’ll never give up. Running has made me a better person, the best version of myself, and for that I am truly thankful. But enough about me, here are the details of my favourite route in Durham.
I used to start out doing 2k runs which took me about 20 minutes walking/jogging. I gave up running for a while in my second year of university and started going to the gym instead, preferring the safety of the treadmill where I couldn’t be seen by other runners and I couldn’t fall flat on my face (I’m notoriously clumsy and accident prone). However when I heard about Durham Parkrun about a month ago I decided it was finally time to get out in the open air and try and do something different that would challenge and motivate me.
My first Parkrun (5km) I completed in 32 minutes, which beat my previous personal best by 5 minutes! I was inspired and elated. Since then I’ve been trying to run 5k at least once a week and beat my score, so far I’ve only matched it. But time is an insignificant detail compared to the feeling I get from running; the pure adrenaline bringing me to life. Now running isn’t just an aid to weight loss, but part of a lifestyle I’ve come to love. I’m healthy and strong, and running will only ever help me improve. Even when I’m coughing and spluttering, desperate to reach the finish line, I know I’ll never give up. Running has made me a better person, the best version of myself, and for that I am truly thankful. But enough about me, here are the details of my favourite route in Durham.
The route is 5km and incorporates some of the Parkrun route. I begin at St Mary’s college and turn left out of the back entrance along Quarryheads Lane (or so my Garmin HRM tells me) then through the gate to the river just past the Quarryheads roundabout. I cross over Prebends Bridge heading towards The Bailey/Cathedral, but before the slope leading up I take a right turn and run along the river path which leads directly underneath Elvet Bridge. This is my favourite part of the route, so gorgeous when the sun is shining. Just after Elvet Bridge I have to run past Whisky River and Boathouse, which is slightly daunting when people are sitting outside in the sun having coffee/drinks. However at the same time it spurs me on; I have to keep running, can’t lose my speed in front of a group of people (who probably don’t even notice one lone, red-faced, short-of-breath wannabe runner). So I continue along the river, cross over Bath’s Bridge and run along the other side of the river towards the bandstand where Parkrun finishes. Following that I head back along the outskirts of Maiden Castle wood and through the University Sports Centre, along the A177, past the New Inn until finally ending back at St Mary’s.
The route follows the river mostly, through woodland and taking in the beautiful sights of Durham on the way. I highly recommend the route, and of course the Parkrun route, to any runners in the Durham area
I downloaded a map of the run on my Garmin GPS watch for everyone to see.
Click here to view it.
I downloaded a map of the run on my Garmin GPS watch for everyone to see.
Click here to view it.