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
Last Updated on 13 January 2026 by the5krunner
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tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors.
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 !