What is the hardest parkrun then?
The hardest one that I’ve done myself is RICHMOND PARK. It’s only really hard because of the two hills towards the end; maybe exposure to a bit of wind and a few hundred metres on grass. You won’t get a PB there unless it’s the only one you do. It’s typically reckoned to be 30 seconds slower than your PB.
Any others?, Anyone?
3 years on, and we can answer a bit more scientifically:
parkrun : difficulty ratings, adjusted times for toughest / hardest / easiest courses
Fastest parkrun, Hardest parkrun & Easiest Courses in UK | difficulty ratings
With 20 years of testing Garmin wearables and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, I provide expert insights into fitness tech, helping athletes and casual users make informed choices.
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Pomphrey Hill (by experience) and Yeovil Montacute (by reputation) are pretty tough
Dewsbury is hilly
BARNSLEY has not got any flat terrain anywhere IIRC ! ASHTON COURT is a testing 2.5K up, then a knee-threatening 2.5K down and climbs 110M. YORK, OTOH, is psychologically tough as you can see the whole 5K to do at all times !