parkrun : difficulty ratings, adjusted times for toughest / hardest / easiest courses

parkrun Adjusted Course Times – Difficulty Ratings

parkrun
Source: parkrun

All 5k parkruns are not created equal. Some are obviously more difficult than others. ONE of the reasons some are more difficult is because of the time lost in the ASCENT and the inability to recover it all in the DESCENT.

In part, I recently covered “hardness” due to ascent in this following post “parkrun : Hardest & Easiest Courses in UK“, let’s look at parkrun difficulties in a little more detail.

 

parkrun : Hardest & Easiest Courses in UK | course difficulty

The tables further below attempt to quantify the time loss for you for each UK parkrun. This could be the first step you might want to take to compare your parkrun results from one event to another.

Sources: ascent from jegmar.com, much other stuff from @bondcrash

SURFACE CONDITION

Before we move on to ASCENT/DESCENT, just a quick thought on SURFACE CONDITION.

Putting altitude, wind, temperature, humidity and similar factors to one side you could also consider this rule of thumb for time lost due to surface condition.

  • 0% Tarmac (essentially same as ‘track’)
  • 1% lost, Good trail
  • 2%  lost, Grass/Bad trail
  • 3%  lost, Muddy XC terrain
  • 4% lost, Sand & Snow

So on Bushy parkrun: let’s say it’s 50% good trail and 50% bad trail – with some fudged maths, that means you would lose 1.5%. That’s somewhere in the region of 20 seconds for someone doing a 20 minute time. ie maybe on the track you would be 20 seconds faster. BUT that track is also perfectly flat which should help even more.

Let’s talk about flatness now:

ASCENT/DESCENT

You lose about 1 second for every 1m of ascent at a pace of 5:00/km over 5km ie your fudged pace becomes  5:01/km and you lose 5 seconds in total.

parkruns tend to finish in the same place as they start ie I assume ASCENT=DESCENT. BUT you will recover no more than 60% of the time lost on the ascent. Let’s say 50%..it helps the fugded maths even more 😉

So the same person loses 5 seconds and gains back 2.5 seconds, losing 2.5 seconds over the entire 5k.

In the example below, Richmond Park parkrun has a handy ascent and descent of 50m. 50 seconds are lost and 25 seconds recovered giving a net loss of 25 seconds for the runner who runs track at 25:00/5k ie 5:00/km. The loss is proportionately less for those who run faster and more for those who run slower. Thus the 20-minute parkrunner loses 10 seconds.

But wait. Those of you who run Richmond at around that 20:00 time know the ‘common wisdom‘ is that about 30 seconds lost: So you also need to add in the good trail/bad trail/grass factor (above) and, for a 20 minute runner, that will be about 15-20 seconds.

And you need to adjust the recovery rate at which descent allows time to be recovered. Richmond Park is sufficiently steep to cause most runners to be unable to maintain their normal gait. The maths then come back to ‘about 30 seconds’. And before you ask, the model was derived initially at the much hillier Hampstead Heath parkrun 😉

What you will perhaps see is that the surface condition is likely to make more of a hit on your parkrun time than the hills in most cases.

Please take this as a ‘Straw Man’ I think it’s at least broadly indicative.

5K parkrun TIME LOST DUE TO ASCENT / DESCENT

Be careful when paging down – there are two tables below – the first one with a 50% recovery rate (conservative) and the second one with a 65% rate (probably the highest/most aggressive that can be recovered)

 parkrun – UK only

Using a recovery rate of 50%

ascent / descent metres20:00/5k25:00/5k30:00/5ksecs lostsecs recoverednet loss
Southsea2.40.50.60.72.41.21.2
Hackney Marshes2.40.50.60.72.41.21.2
York2.70.50.70.82.71.41.4
Strathclyde2.70.50.70.82.71.41.4
Fulham Palace2.70.50.70.82.71.41.4
Long Eaton2.70.50.70.82.71.41.4
Goole3.00.60.80.93.01.51.5
Rickmansworth3.00.60.80.93.01.51.5
Portrush3.40.70.81.03.41.71.7
Hull3.40.70.81.03.41.71.7
Roding Valley3.40.70.81.03.41.71.7
Evesham3.40.70.81.03.41.71.7
Edinburgh3.40.70.81.03.41.71.7
Crosby3.40.70.81.03.41.71.7
Hove Promenade3.70.70.91.13.71.81.8
Belfast Victoria3.70.70.91.13.71.81.8
Kingsbury Water3.70.70.91.13.71.81.8
Bushy3.70.70.91.13.71.81.8
Worthing3.70.70.91.13.71.81.8
Beckton4.00.81.01.24.02.02.0
Stratford-upon-Avon4.00.81.01.24.02.02.0
Kingston4.30.91.11.34.32.12.1
Lee-on-the-Solent4.60.91.11.44.62.32.3
Hartlepool4.91.01.21.54.92.42.4
Reading4.91.01.21.54.92.42.4
Swansea Bay4.91.01.21.54.92.42.4
Cardiff4.91.01.21.54.92.42.4
Bideford5.21.01.31.65.22.62.6
Eastbourne5.21.01.31.65.22.62.6
Ellenbrook Fields5.21.01.31.65.22.62.6
Montrose5.21.01.31.65.22.62.6
Seaton5.21.01.31.65.22.62.6
Aberystwyth5.51.11.41.65.52.72.7
Wetherby5.51.11.41.65.52.72.7
Cambridge6.11.21.51.86.13.03.0
Poole6.11.21.51.86.13.03.0
Abingdon6.11.21.51.86.13.03.0
Pegwell Bay6.11.21.51.86.13.03.0
Hastings6.11.21.51.86.13.03.0
Minehead6.41.31.61.96.43.23.2
Market Harborough6.41.31.61.96.43.23.2
Colwick6.41.31.61.96.43.23.2
Southwark6.41.31.61.96.43.23.2
Harwich6.41.31.61.96.43.23.2
Perth6.71.31.72.06.73.43.4
Burgess6.71.31.72.06.73.43.4
Peter Pan6.71.31.72.06.73.43.4
Wimbledon Common6.71.31.72.06.73.43.4
Didcot7.01.41.82.17.03.53.5
Tonbridge7.01.41.82.17.03.53.5
Stretford7.31.51.82.27.33.73.7
Aldenham7.31.51.82.27.33.73.7
Worcester Pitchcroft7.61.51.92.37.63.83.8
Inverness7.61.51.92.37.63.83.8
Greenock7.91.62.02.47.94.04.0
Congleton7.91.62.02.47.94.04.0
Durham7.91.62.02.47.94.04.0
Wythenshawe7.91.62.02.47.94.04.0
Dolgellau7.91.62.02.47.94.04.0
Kingsway7.91.62.02.47.94.04.0
Boston7.91.62.02.47.94.04.0
Winchester8.21.62.12.58.24.14.1
Bryn Bach8.21.62.12.58.24.14.1
Beeston8.51.72.12.68.54.34.3
Gloucester North8.51.72.12.68.54.34.3
Grangemoor8.51.72.12.68.54.34.3
Barking8.51.72.12.68.54.34.3
Bicester8.81.82.22.78.84.44.4
Woking8.81.82.22.78.84.44.4
Great Cornard8.81.82.22.78.84.44.4
March8.81.82.22.78.84.44.4
Riverfront9.11.82.32.79.14.64.6
St Albans9.11.82.32.79.14.64.6
Upton Court9.11.82.32.79.14.64.6
Mansfield9.41.92.42.89.44.74.7
Longrun Meadow9.41.92.42.89.44.74.7
Beckenham Place9.41.92.42.89.44.74.7
Exeter Riverside9.41.92.42.89.44.74.7
Portsmouth Lakeside9.41.92.42.89.44.74.7
Poolsbrook9.82.02.42.99.84.94.9
Thurrock9.82.02.42.99.84.94.9
King’s Lynn10.12.02.53.010.15.05.0
Torbay Velopark10.12.02.53.010.15.05.0
Salisbury10.42.12.63.110.45.25.2
South Manchester10.42.12.63.110.45.25.2
Aylesbury10.42.12.63.110.45.25.2
Northallerton10.42.12.63.110.45.25.2
Malling10.42.12.63.110.45.25.2
Peterborough10.42.12.63.110.45.25.2
Kesgrave10.42.12.63.110.45.25.2
Brighouse10.72.12.73.210.75.35.3
Ellesmere Port10.72.12.73.210.75.35.3
Weymouth10.72.12.73.210.75.35.3
Aberdeen11.02.22.73.311.05.55.5
Burnham and Highbridge11.02.22.73.311.05.55.5
Conwy11.02.22.73.311.05.55.5
Redcar11.02.22.73.311.05.55.5
Bognor Regis11.02.22.73.311.05.55.5
Comber11.32.32.83.411.35.65.6
Thetford11.32.32.83.411.35.65.6
Elgin11.62.32.93.511.65.85.8
Rutland Water11.62.32.93.511.65.85.8
Linwood11.92.43.03.611.95.95.9
Lincoln12.22.43.03.712.26.16.1
Southend12.22.43.03.712.26.16.1
Banbury12.52.53.13.712.56.26.2
Crane Park12.52.53.13.712.56.26.2
Rother Valley12.52.53.13.712.56.26.2
Tooting Common12.82.63.23.812.86.46.4
Albert13.12.63.33.913.16.66.6
Newbury13.42.73.44.013.46.76.7
Cleethorpes13.72.73.44.113.76.96.9
Croxteth Hall13.72.73.44.113.76.96.9
Penrith13.72.73.44.113.76.96.9
Old Deer Park14.02.83.54.214.07.07.0
Osterley14.02.83.54.214.07.07.0
Pymmes14.02.83.54.214.07.07.0
Warrington14.02.83.54.214.07.07.0
Northala Fields14.02.83.54.214.07.07.0
Antrim14.32.93.64.314.37.27.2
Cassiobury14.32.93.64.314.37.27.2
Ashford14.32.93.64.314.37.27.2
Carrickfergus14.32.93.64.314.37.27.2
Stonehouse14.62.93.74.414.67.37.3
Rushmoor14.62.93.74.414.67.37.3
Portobello14.93.03.74.514.97.57.5
Maldon Prom14.93.03.74.514.97.57.5
Ecos15.23.03.84.615.27.67.6
Perry Hall15.23.03.84.615.27.67.6
Chelmsford Central15.23.03.84.615.27.67.6
Maidenhead15.23.03.84.615.27.67.6
Sittingbourne15.53.13.94.715.57.87.8
Bromley15.83.24.04.815.87.97.9
Cwmbran15.83.24.04.815.87.97.9
Hereford16.23.24.04.816.28.18.1
Darlington South Park16.53.34.14.916.58.28.2
Barnstaple16.83.44.25.016.88.48.4
Southport16.83.44.25.016.88.48.4
Wimpole Estate16.83.44.25.016.88.48.4
Walsall Arboretum16.83.44.25.016.88.48.4
Millom16.83.44.25.016.88.48.4
Frimley Lodge16.83.44.25.016.88.48.4
Woodley16.83.44.25.016.88.48.4
Norwich17.13.44.35.117.18.58.5
Newport17.13.44.35.117.18.58.5
Maidstone17.43.54.35.217.48.78.7
Blackpool17.73.54.45.317.78.88.8
Black Park17.73.54.45.317.78.88.8
Prudhoe Riverside17.73.54.45.317.78.88.8
Lydney18.03.64.55.418.09.09.0
Gorleston18.33.74.65.518.39.19.1
Penrose18.33.74.65.518.39.19.1
Andover18.33.74.65.518.39.19.1
Arrow Valley18.33.74.65.518.39.19.1
Daventry18.33.74.65.518.39.19.1
Wanstead Flats18.33.74.65.518.39.19.1
Druridge Bay18.63.74.65.618.69.39.3
Chippenham18.93.84.75.718.99.49.4
Belton House18.93.84.75.718.99.49.4
Ormeau18.93.84.75.718.99.49.4
Huntingdon18.93.84.75.718.99.49.4
Mersea Island18.93.84.75.718.99.49.4
Riverside19.23.84.85.819.29.69.6
South Norwood19.23.84.85.819.29.69.6
Lytham Hall19.53.94.95.919.59.89.8
Buckingham19.84.05.05.919.89.99.9
Rising Sun19.84.05.05.919.89.99.9
Limavady20.14.05.06.020.110.110.1
Bedfont Lakes20.14.05.06.020.110.110.1
Gunpowder20.14.05.06.020.110.110.1
Catterick20.44.15.16.120.410.210.2
Tees Barrage20.44.15.16.120.410.210.2
Cheltenham20.44.15.16.120.410.210.2
Fareham20.74.15.26.220.710.410.4
Widnes20.74.15.26.220.710.410.4
Rushcliffe21.04.25.36.321.010.510.5
Brockenhurst21.04.25.36.321.010.510.5
Wycombe Rye21.34.35.36.421.310.710.7
Moors Valley21.64.35.46.521.610.810.8
Valentines21.94.45.56.621.911.011.0
Bangor21.94.45.56.621.911.011.0
Brueton21.94.45.56.621.911.011.0
Doncaster21.94.45.56.621.911.011.0
Victoria21.94.45.56.621.911.011.0
Newcastle22.34.55.66.722.311.111.1
Stormont22.64.55.66.822.611.311.3
Netley Abbey22.64.55.66.822.611.311.3
Cannon Hill22.94.65.76.922.911.411.4
Humber Bridge22.94.65.76.922.911.411.4
Nonsuch23.84.85.97.123.811.911.9
Canons Park23.84.85.97.123.811.911.9
Margate23.84.85.97.123.811.911.9
Ellon23.84.85.97.123.811.911.9
Chipping Sodbury23.84.85.97.123.811.911.9
Milton Keynes24.14.86.07.224.112.012.0
Preston Park24.14.86.07.224.112.012.0
Harcourt Hill25.05.06.27.525.012.512.5
Shrewsbury25.05.06.27.525.012.512.5
Wolverhampton25.05.06.27.525.012.512.5
Marple25.05.06.27.525.012.512.5
Dulwich25.05.06.27.525.012.512.5
Oak Hill25.35.16.37.625.312.612.6
Oxford25.65.16.47.725.612.812.8
Dartford25.65.16.47.725.612.812.8
Harrow Lodge25.65.16.47.725.612.812.8
Fritton Lake25.95.26.57.825.913.013.0
Whiteley25.95.26.57.825.913.013.0
Brierley Forest26.25.26.67.926.213.113.1
Wilmslow26.25.26.67.926.213.113.1
Burnage26.25.26.67.926.213.113.1
Bournemouth26.55.36.68.026.513.313.3
Riddlesdown26.55.36.68.026.513.313.3
Lowestoft26.85.46.78.026.813.413.4
Great Notley26.85.46.78.026.813.413.4
Forest of Dean27.15.46.88.127.113.613.6
Harrogate27.15.46.88.127.113.613.6
Whitstable27.15.46.88.127.113.613.6
Tamar Lakes27.45.56.98.227.413.713.7
Delamere27.45.56.98.227.413.713.7
Northampton27.45.56.98.227.413.713.7
Scunthorpe27.45.56.98.227.413.713.7
Bedford27.45.56.98.227.413.713.7
Medina IOW27.75.56.98.327.713.913.9
Whitley Bay27.75.56.98.327.713.913.9
Newark27.75.56.98.327.713.913.9
Tewkesbury28.35.77.18.528.314.214.2
Plymvalley28.75.77.28.628.714.314.3
Penallta28.75.77.28.628.714.314.3
Walthamstow28.75.77.28.628.714.314.3
Worsley Woods29.35.97.38.829.314.614.6
Mulbarton29.65.97.48.929.614.814.8
Cheadle Hulme29.65.97.48.929.614.814.8
Chester29.96.07.59.029.914.914.9
Waterworks29.96.07.59.029.914.914.9
Basildon30.26.07.59.130.215.115.1
Dalby Forest30.26.07.59.130.215.115.1
Citypark30.26.07.59.130.215.115.1
Pontypridd30.26.07.59.130.215.115.1
Porthcawl30.56.17.69.130.515.215.2
Clacton Seafront30.56.17.69.130.515.215.2
Conkers30.56.17.69.130.515.215.2
Folkestone30.56.17.69.130.515.215.2
Gunnersbury30.86.27.79.230.815.415.4
Dudley31.46.37.89.431.415.715.7
Panshanger31.46.37.89.431.415.715.7
Stewart31.76.37.99.531.715.815.8
Raphael31.76.37.99.531.715.815.8
Clumber Park32.06.48.09.632.016.016.0
Livingston32.36.58.19.732.316.216.2
Birkenhead32.36.58.19.732.316.216.2
Blandford32.36.58.19.732.316.216.2
Ayr32.36.58.19.732.316.216.2
Wormwood Scrubs32.66.58.29.832.616.316.3
Horsham32.96.68.29.932.916.516.5
Kettering32.96.68.29.932.916.516.5
Derry City33.26.68.310.033.216.616.6
Peckham Rye33.56.78.410.133.516.816.8
Linford Wood33.86.88.510.133.816.916.9
Luton Wardown33.86.88.510.133.816.916.9
Hatfield Forest33.86.88.510.133.816.916.9
Princes34.16.88.510.234.117.117.1
Ormskirk34.16.88.510.234.117.117.1
Enniskillen34.16.88.510.234.117.117.1
Llanelli Coast34.46.98.610.334.417.217.2
Lymington Woodside34.46.98.610.334.417.217.2
Southwick Country Park34.46.98.610.334.417.217.2
Swindon35.17.08.810.535.117.517.5
Catton35.47.18.810.635.417.717.7
Bexley35.47.18.810.635.417.717.7
Burnley35.47.18.810.635.417.717.7
Bracknell35.77.18.910.735.717.817.8
Fountains Abbey35.77.18.910.735.717.817.8
Queens35.77.18.910.735.717.817.8
Workington36.07.29.010.836.018.018.0
Braunstone36.07.29.010.836.018.018.0
Upton House36.07.29.010.836.018.018.0
Fell Foot36.07.29.010.836.018.018.0
Telford36.37.39.110.936.318.118.1
St Andrews36.37.39.110.936.318.118.1
Corby36.67.39.111.036.618.318.3
Cannock Chase36.97.49.211.136.918.418.4
Bury St Edmunds37.27.49.311.237.218.618.6
Leicester Victoria37.57.59.411.237.518.718.7
Chichester37.87.69.411.337.818.918.9
Shorne Woods38.17.69.511.438.119.119.1
Basingstoke38.17.69.511.438.119.119.1
Sunderland38.17.69.511.438.119.119.1
Erddig38.17.69.511.438.119.119.1
Peacehaven38.77.79.711.638.719.419.4
Brighton & Hove39.07.89.811.739.019.519.5
Eastleigh39.67.99.911.939.619.819.8
Pontefract39.98.010.012.039.920.020.0
Woodhouse Moor39.98.010.012.039.920.020.0
Blickling40.28.010.112.140.220.120.1
Coventry40.58.110.112.240.520.320.3
Worcester40.58.110.112.240.520.320.3
Aviemore40.88.210.212.340.820.420.4
Harrow40.88.210.212.340.820.420.4
Rugby41.18.210.312.341.120.620.6
Highbury Fields41.58.310.412.441.520.720.7
Knowsley41.58.310.412.441.520.720.7
Heaton41.58.310.412.441.520.720.7
Killerton41.58.310.412.441.520.720.7
Greenwich42.18.410.512.642.121.021.0
Stevenage42.18.410.512.642.121.021.0
Hoblingwell42.48.510.612.742.421.221.2
Omagh42.48.510.612.742.421.221.2
Eglinton42.78.510.712.842.721.321.3
Wotton43.08.610.712.943.021.521.5
Merthyr43.38.710.813.043.321.621.6
Keswick43.98.811.013.243.921.921.9
Sedgefield44.28.811.013.344.222.122.1
Tilgate44.28.811.013.344.222.122.1
Brandon Country Park44.89.011.213.444.822.422.4
Sewerby44.89.011.213.444.822.422.4
Springburn44.89.011.213.444.822.422.4
Mile End45.19.011.313.545.122.622.6
Preston46.09.211.513.846.023.023.0
Markeaton46.39.311.613.946.323.223.2
South Oxhey46.39.311.613.946.323.223.2
Bath Skyline46.39.311.613.946.323.223.2
Hazlehead46.99.411.714.146.923.523.5
Ipswich47.29.411.814.247.223.623.6
Shepton Mallet47.29.411.814.247.223.623.6
Glossop47.59.511.914.347.523.823.8
Chadderton Hall47.59.511.914.347.523.823.8
Great Lines47.59.511.914.347.523.823.8
Orpington47.99.612.014.447.923.923.9
South Shields47.99.612.014.447.923.923.9
Leamington48.59.712.114.548.524.224.2
Rosliston48.89.812.214.648.824.424.4
Yeovil Montacute49.49.912.314.849.424.724.7
Sherwood Pines49.49.912.314.849.424.724.7
Havant50.010.012.515.050.025.025.0
Richmond Park50.010.012.515.050.025.025.0
Sheffield Hallam50.310.112.615.150.325.125.1
Cranleigh50.310.112.615.150.325.125.1
Gnoll50.910.212.715.350.925.525.5
Hillsborough50.910.212.715.350.925.525.5
Llyn Llech Owain50.910.212.715.350.925.525.5
Melton Mowbray50.910.212.715.350.925.525.5
Colchester Castle50.910.212.715.350.925.525.5
Brockwell51.810.413.015.551.825.925.9
Pennington Flash52.110.413.015.652.126.126.1
Wallace52.410.513.115.752.426.226.2
Wakefield Thornes53.310.713.316.053.326.726.7
Brundall53.610.713.416.153.626.826.8
Carlisle53.610.713.416.153.626.826.8
Huddersfield54.310.913.616.354.327.127.1
Billericay54.310.913.616.354.327.127.1
Barry Island54.310.913.616.354.327.127.1
Southampton54.610.913.616.454.627.327.3
Gateshead54.610.913.616.454.627.327.3
Kirkcaldy54.911.013.716.554.927.427.4
St Helens54.911.013.716.554.927.427.4
Woodbank54.911.013.716.554.927.427.4
Harlow54.911.013.716.554.927.427.4
Penrhyn55.511.113.916.655.527.727.7
Bramhall Park55.811.213.916.755.827.927.9
Hanley55.811.213.916.755.827.927.9
Banstead Woods56.111.214.016.856.128.028.0
Vogrie56.711.314.217.056.728.328.3
Falkirk56.711.314.217.056.728.328.3
Grovelands56.711.314.217.056.728.328.3
Colby56.711.314.217.056.728.328.3
Pontypool57.011.414.217.157.028.528.5
Holkham57.011.414.217.157.028.528.5
Witton57.011.414.217.157.028.528.5
Newent57.911.614.517.457.929.029.0
Guildford58.211.614.617.558.229.129.1
Finsbury58.211.614.617.558.229.129.1
Roundshaw Downs58.211.614.617.558.229.129.1
Royal Tunbridge Wells58.811.814.717.658.829.429.4
Hackworth60.412.115.118.160.430.230.2
Concord60.712.115.218.260.730.330.3
Shipley Country61.312.315.318.461.330.630.6
Cross Flatts61.312.315.318.461.330.630.6
Rotherham61.312.315.318.461.330.630.6
Phoenix61.612.315.418.561.630.830.8
Rushmere61.912.415.518.661.930.930.9
Hyde61.912.415.518.661.930.930.9
MUSA Cookstown63.412.715.819.063.431.731.7
Pollok64.913.016.219.564.932.532.5
Reigate Priory65.813.216.519.865.832.932.9
Forest Rec66.113.216.519.866.133.133.1
Ally Pally66.413.316.619.966.433.233.2
Bradford67.113.416.820.167.133.533.5
Horton Park67.113.416.820.167.133.533.5
Nostell67.113.416.820.167.133.533.5
Pomphrey Hill68.013.617.020.468.034.034.0
Armagh71.314.317.821.471.335.735.7
Bolton71.314.317.821.471.335.735.7
Gedling71.914.418.021.671.936.036.0
Parke72.514.518.121.872.536.336.3
Lloyd72.814.618.221.972.836.436.4
Stamford Park74.414.918.622.374.437.237.2
Stonehaven74.414.918.622.374.437.237.2
Gladstone74.414.918.622.374.437.237.2
Gadebridge74.714.918.722.474.737.337.3
Valley75.315.118.822.675.337.637.6
Canterbury75.315.118.822.675.337.637.6
Skipton75.315.118.822.675.337.637.6
Homewood75.915.219.022.875.937.937.9
Ruchill75.915.219.022.875.937.937.9
Crystal Palace76.215.219.122.976.238.138.1
Hilly Fields77.115.419.323.177.138.638.6
Haigh Woodland77.115.419.323.177.138.638.6
Hockley Woods77.415.519.423.277.438.738.7
Dewsbury77.415.519.423.277.438.738.7
Graves77.715.519.423.377.738.938.9
Brentwood78.015.619.523.478.039.039.0
Barclay78.315.719.623.578.339.239.2
Barrow78.615.719.723.678.639.339.3
Larne78.615.719.723.678.639.339.3
Tamar Trails79.215.819.823.879.239.639.6
Temple Newsam79.215.819.823.879.239.639.6
Trelissick79.615.919.923.979.639.839.8
Roundhay79.916.020.024.079.939.939.9
Oldham80.216.020.024.080.240.140.1
Falls81.716.320.424.581.740.840.8
Henley-on-Thames81.716.320.424.581.740.840.8
Ganavan Sands82.016.420.524.682.041.041.0
Alice Holt84.416.921.125.384.442.242.2
Sheringham85.017.021.325.585.042.542.5
Camperdown85.617.121.425.785.642.842.8
Dunfermline86.017.221.525.886.043.043.0
Oakwell Hall86.617.321.626.086.643.343.3
Bramley87.517.521.926.287.543.743.7
Halifax90.818.222.727.290.845.445.4
Colin Glen92.718.523.227.892.746.346.3
Wyre Forest93.318.723.328.093.346.646.6
Gainsborough93.318.723.328.093.346.646.6
Bestwood Village94.218.823.528.394.247.147.1
Pendle94.819.023.728.494.847.447.4
Hampstead Heath96.319.324.128.996.348.248.2
Lancaster99.419.924.829.899.449.749.7
Ashton Court99.719.924.929.999.749.849.8
Bedgebury Pinetum100.320.125.130.1100.350.150.1
Clair101.220.225.330.4101.250.650.6
Rostrevor101.220.225.330.4101.250.650.6
Blackhill102.420.525.630.7102.451.251.2
Sheffield Castle103.920.826.031.2103.952.052.0
Hadleigh105.221.026.331.5105.252.652.6
Cuerden Valley105.221.026.331.5105.252.652.6
Tring105.521.126.431.6105.552.752.7
Gibside106.421.326.631.9106.453.253.2
Tollcross108.521.727.132.6108.554.354.3
Barnsley110.622.127.733.2110.655.355.3
Ludlow112.822.628.233.8112.856.456.4
Queen Elizabeth114.622.928.734.4114.657.357.3
Watergrove116.123.229.034.8116.158.158.1
Lullingstone124.124.831.037.2124.162.062.0
Bevendean Down125.325.131.337.6125.362.662.6
Lyme Park125.325.131.337.6125.362.662.6
Drumchapel129.225.832.338.8129.264.664.6
Mount Edgcumbe133.526.733.440.1133.566.866.8
Wepre136.927.434.241.1136.968.468.4
Lanhydrock138.127.634.541.4138.169.069.0

Using a 60% Recovery Rate ie from a GOOD runner

 

metres20:00/5k25:00/5k30:00/5k
Southsea2.40.60.70.9
Hackney Marshes2.40.60.70.9
York2.70.70.81.0
Strathclyde2.70.70.81.0
Fulham Palace2.70.70.81.0
Long Eaton2.70.70.81.0
Goole3.00.70.91.1
Rickmansworth3.00.70.91.1
Portrush3.40.81.01.2
Hull3.40.81.01.2
Roding Valley3.40.81.01.2
Evesham3.40.81.01.2
Edinburgh3.40.81.01.2
Crosby3.40.81.01.2
Hove Promenade3.70.91.11.3
Belfast Victoria3.70.91.11.3
Kingsbury Water3.70.91.11.3
Bushy3.70.91.11.3
Worthing3.70.91.11.3
Beckton4.01.01.21.4
Stratford-upon-Avon4.01.01.21.4
Kingston4.31.01.31.5
Lee-on-the-Solent4.61.11.41.6
Hartlepool4.91.21.51.8
Reading4.91.21.51.8
Swansea Bay4.91.21.51.8
Cardiff4.91.21.51.8
Bideford5.21.21.61.9
Eastbourne5.21.21.61.9
Ellenbrook Fields5.21.21.61.9
Montrose5.21.21.61.9
Seaton5.21.21.61.9
Aberystwyth5.51.31.62.0
Wetherby5.51.31.62.0
Cambridge6.11.51.82.2
Poole6.11.51.82.2
Abingdon6.11.51.82.2
Pegwell Bay6.11.51.82.2
Hastings6.11.51.82.2
Minehead6.41.51.92.3
Market Harborough6.41.51.92.3
Colwick6.41.51.92.3
Southwark6.41.51.92.3
Harwich6.41.51.92.3
Perth6.71.62.02.4
Burgess6.71.62.02.4
Peter Pan6.71.62.02.4
Wimbledon Common6.71.62.02.4
Didcot7.01.72.12.5
Tonbridge7.01.72.12.5
Stretford7.31.82.22.6
Aldenham7.31.82.22.6
Worcester Pitchcroft7.61.82.32.7
Inverness7.61.82.32.7
Greenock7.91.92.42.9
Congleton7.91.92.42.9
Durham7.91.92.42.9
Wythenshawe7.91.92.42.9
Dolgellau7.91.92.42.9
Kingsway7.91.92.42.9
Boston7.91.92.42.9
Winchester8.22.02.53.0
Bryn Bach8.22.02.53.0
Beeston8.52.02.63.1
Gloucester North8.52.02.63.1
Grangemoor8.52.02.63.1
Barking8.52.02.63.1
Bicester8.82.12.73.2
Woking8.82.12.73.2
Great Cornard8.82.12.73.2
March8.82.12.73.2
Riverfront9.12.22.73.3
St Albans9.12.22.73.3
Upton Court9.12.22.73.3
Mansfield9.42.32.83.4
Longrun Meadow9.42.32.83.4
Beckenham Place9.42.32.83.4
Exeter Riverside9.42.32.83.4
Portsmouth Lakeside9.42.32.83.4
Poolsbrook9.82.32.93.5
Thurrock9.82.32.93.5
King’s Lynn10.12.43.03.6
Torbay Velopark10.12.43.03.6
Salisbury10.42.53.13.7
South Manchester10.42.53.13.7
Aylesbury10.42.53.13.7
Northallerton10.42.53.13.7
Malling10.42.53.13.7
Peterborough10.42.53.13.7
Kesgrave10.42.53.13.7
Brighouse10.72.63.23.8
Ellesmere Port10.72.63.23.8
Weymouth10.72.63.23.8
Aberdeen11.02.63.34.0
Burnham and Highbridge11.02.63.34.0
Conwy11.02.63.34.0
Redcar11.02.63.34.0
Bognor Regis11.02.63.34.0
Comber11.32.73.44.1
Thetford11.32.73.44.1
Elgin11.62.83.54.2
Rutland Water11.62.83.54.2
Linwood11.92.93.64.3
Lincoln12.22.93.74.4
Southend12.22.93.74.4
Banbury12.53.03.74.5
Crane Park12.53.03.74.5
Rother Valley12.53.03.74.5
Tooting Common12.83.13.84.6
Albert13.13.13.94.7
Newbury13.43.24.04.8
Cleethorpes13.73.34.14.9
Croxteth Hall13.73.34.14.9
Penrith13.73.34.14.9
Old Deer Park14.03.44.25.0
Osterley14.03.44.25.0
Pymmes14.03.44.25.0
Warrington14.03.44.25.0
Northala Fields14.03.44.25.0
Antrim14.33.44.35.2
Cassiobury14.33.44.35.2
Ashford14.33.44.35.2
Carrickfergus14.33.44.35.2
Stonehouse14.63.54.45.3
Rushmoor14.63.54.45.3
Portobello14.93.64.55.4
Maldon Prom14.93.64.55.4
Ecos15.23.74.65.5
Perry Hall15.23.74.65.5
Chelmsford Central15.23.74.65.5
Maidenhead15.23.74.65.5
Sittingbourne15.53.74.75.6
Bromley15.83.84.85.7
Cwmbran15.83.84.85.7
Hereford16.23.94.85.8
Darlington South Park16.54.04.95.9
Barnstaple16.84.05.06.0
Southport16.84.05.06.0
Wimpole Estate16.84.05.06.0
Walsall Arboretum16.84.05.06.0
Millom16.84.05.06.0
Frimley Lodge16.84.05.06.0
Woodley16.84.05.06.0
Norwich17.14.15.16.1
Newport17.14.15.16.1
Maidstone17.44.25.26.3
Blackpool17.74.25.36.4
Black Park17.74.25.36.4
Prudhoe Riverside17.74.25.36.4
Lydney18.04.35.46.5
Gorleston18.34.45.56.6
Penrose18.34.45.56.6
Andover18.34.45.56.6
Arrow Valley18.34.45.56.6
Daventry18.34.45.56.6
Wanstead Flats18.34.45.56.6
Druridge Bay18.64.55.66.7
Chippenham18.94.55.76.8
Belton House18.94.55.76.8
Ormeau18.94.55.76.8
Huntingdon18.94.55.76.8
Mersea Island18.94.55.76.8
Riverside19.24.65.86.9
South Norwood19.24.65.86.9
Lytham Hall19.54.75.97.0
Buckingham19.84.85.97.1
Rising Sun19.84.85.97.1
Limavady20.14.86.07.2
Bedfont Lakes20.14.86.07.2
Gunpowder20.14.86.07.2
Catterick20.44.96.17.4
Tees Barrage20.44.96.17.4
Cheltenham20.44.96.17.4
Fareham20.75.06.27.5
Widnes20.75.06.27.5
Rushcliffe21.05.06.37.6
Brockenhurst21.05.06.37.6
Wycombe Rye21.35.16.47.7
Moors Valley21.65.26.57.8
Valentines21.95.36.67.9
Bangor21.95.36.67.9
Brueton21.95.36.67.9
Doncaster21.95.36.67.9
Victoria21.95.36.67.9
Newcastle22.35.36.78.0
Stormont22.65.46.88.1
Netley Abbey22.65.46.88.1
Cannon Hill22.95.56.98.2
Humber Bridge22.95.56.98.2
Nonsuch23.85.77.18.6
Canons Park23.85.77.18.6
Margate23.85.77.18.6
Ellon23.85.77.18.6
Chipping Sodbury23.85.77.18.6
Milton Keynes24.15.87.28.7
Preston Park24.15.87.28.7
Harcourt Hill25.06.07.59.0
Shrewsbury25.06.07.59.0
Wolverhampton25.06.07.59.0
Marple25.06.07.59.0
Dulwich25.06.07.59.0
Oak Hill25.36.17.69.1
Oxford25.66.17.79.2
Dartford25.66.17.79.2
Harrow Lodge25.66.17.79.2
Fritton Lake25.96.27.89.3
Whiteley25.96.27.89.3
Brierley Forest26.26.37.99.4
Wilmslow26.26.37.99.4
Burnage26.26.37.99.4
Bournemouth26.56.48.09.5
Riddlesdown26.56.48.09.5
Lowestoft26.86.48.09.7
Great Notley26.86.48.09.7
Forest of Dean27.16.58.19.8
Harrogate27.16.58.19.8
Whitstable27.16.58.19.8
Tamar Lakes27.46.68.29.9
Delamere27.46.68.29.9
Northampton27.46.68.29.9
Scunthorpe27.46.68.29.9
Bedford27.46.68.29.9
Medina IOW27.76.78.310.0
Whitley Bay27.76.78.310.0
Newark27.76.78.310.0
Tewkesbury28.36.88.510.2
Plymvalley28.76.98.610.3
Penallta28.76.98.610.3
Walthamstow28.76.98.610.3
Worsley Woods29.37.08.810.5
Mulbarton29.67.18.910.6
Cheadle Hulme29.67.18.910.6
Chester29.97.29.010.8
Waterworks29.97.29.010.8
Basildon30.27.29.110.9
Dalby Forest30.27.29.110.9
Citypark30.27.29.110.9
Pontypridd30.27.29.110.9
Porthcawl30.57.39.111.0
Clacton Seafront30.57.39.111.0
Conkers30.57.39.111.0
Folkestone30.57.39.111.0
Gunnersbury30.87.49.211.1
Dudley31.47.59.411.3
Panshanger31.47.59.411.3
Stewart31.77.69.511.4
Raphael31.77.69.511.4
Clumber Park32.07.79.611.5
Livingston32.37.89.711.6
Birkenhead32.37.89.711.6
Blandford32.37.89.711.6
Ayr32.37.89.711.6
Wormwood Scrubs32.67.89.811.7
Horsham32.97.99.911.9
Kettering32.97.99.911.9
Derry City33.28.010.012.0
Peckham Rye33.58.010.112.1
Linford Wood33.88.110.112.2
Luton Wardown33.88.110.112.2
Hatfield Forest33.88.110.112.2
Princes34.18.210.212.3
Ormskirk34.18.210.212.3
Enniskillen34.18.210.212.3
Llanelli Coast34.48.310.312.4
Lymington Woodside34.48.310.312.4
Southwick Country Park34.48.310.312.4
Swindon35.18.410.512.6
Catton35.48.510.612.7
Bexley35.48.510.612.7
Burnley35.48.510.612.7
Bracknell35.78.610.712.8
Fountains Abbey35.78.610.712.8
Queens35.78.610.712.8
Workington36.08.610.812.9
Braunstone36.08.610.812.9
Upton House36.08.610.812.9
Fell Foot36.08.610.812.9
Telford36.38.710.913.1
St Andrews36.38.710.913.1
Corby36.68.811.013.2
Cannock Chase36.98.911.113.3
Bury St Edmunds37.28.911.213.4
Leicester Victoria37.59.011.213.5
Chichester37.89.111.313.6
Shorne Woods38.19.111.413.7
Basingstoke38.19.111.413.7
Sunderland38.19.111.413.7
Erddig38.19.111.413.7
Peacehaven38.79.311.613.9
Brighton & Hove39.09.411.714.0
Eastleigh39.69.511.914.3
Pontefract39.99.612.014.4
Woodhouse Moor39.99.612.014.4
Blickling40.29.712.114.5
Coventry40.59.712.214.6
Worcester40.59.712.214.6
Aviemore40.89.812.314.7
Harrow40.89.812.314.7
Rugby41.19.912.314.8
Highbury Fields41.59.912.414.9
Knowsley41.59.912.414.9
Heaton41.59.912.414.9
Killerton41.59.912.414.9
Greenwich42.110.112.615.1
Stevenage42.110.112.615.1
Hoblingwell42.410.212.715.3
Omagh42.410.212.715.3
Eglinton42.710.212.815.4
Wotton43.010.312.915.5
Merthyr43.310.413.015.6
Keswick43.910.513.215.8
Sedgefield44.210.613.315.9
Tilgate44.210.613.315.9
Brandon Country Park44.810.813.416.1
Sewerby44.810.813.416.1
Springburn44.810.813.416.1
Mile End45.110.813.516.2
Preston46.011.013.816.6
Markeaton46.311.113.916.7
South Oxhey46.311.113.916.7
Bath Skyline46.311.113.916.7
Hazlehead46.911.314.116.9
Ipswich47.211.314.217.0
Shepton Mallet47.211.314.217.0
Glossop47.511.414.317.1
Chadderton Hall47.511.414.317.1
Great Lines47.511.414.317.1
Orpington47.911.514.417.2
South Shields47.911.514.417.2
Leamington48.511.614.517.4
Rosliston48.811.714.617.6
Yeovil Montacute49.411.914.817.8
Sherwood Pines49.411.914.817.8
Havant50.012.015.018.0
Richmond Park50.012.015.018.0
Sheffield Hallam50.312.115.118.1
Cranleigh50.312.115.118.1
Gnoll50.912.215.318.3
Hillsborough50.912.215.318.3
Llyn Llech Owain50.912.215.318.3
Melton Mowbray50.912.215.318.3
Colchester Castle50.912.215.318.3
Brockwell51.812.415.518.7
Pennington Flash52.112.515.618.8
Wallace52.412.615.718.9
Wakefield Thornes53.312.816.019.2
Brundall53.612.916.119.3
Carlisle53.612.916.119.3
Huddersfield54.313.016.319.5
Billericay54.313.016.319.5
Barry Island54.313.016.319.5
Southampton54.613.116.419.6
Gateshead54.613.116.419.6
Kirkcaldy54.913.216.519.8
St Helens54.913.216.519.8
Woodbank54.913.216.519.8
Harlow54.913.216.519.8
Penrhyn55.513.316.620.0
Bramhall Park55.813.416.720.1
Hanley55.813.416.720.1
Banstead Woods56.113.516.820.2
Vogrie56.713.617.020.4
Falkirk56.713.617.020.4
Grovelands56.713.617.020.4
Colby56.713.617.020.4
Pontypool57.013.717.120.5
Holkham57.013.717.120.5
Witton57.013.717.120.5
Newent57.913.917.420.8
Guildford58.214.017.521.0
Finsbury58.214.017.521.0
Roundshaw Downs58.214.017.521.0
Royal Tunbridge Wells58.814.117.621.2
Hackworth60.414.518.121.7
Concord60.714.618.221.8
Shipley Country61.314.718.422.1
Cross Flatts61.314.718.422.1
Rotherham61.314.718.422.1
Phoenix61.614.818.522.2
Rushmere61.914.818.622.3
Hyde61.914.818.622.3
MUSA Cookstown63.415.219.022.8
Pollok64.915.619.523.4
Reigate Priory65.815.819.823.7
Forest Rec66.115.919.823.8
Ally Pally66.415.919.923.9
Bradford67.116.120.124.1
Horton Park67.116.120.124.1
Nostell67.116.120.124.1
Pomphrey Hill68.016.320.424.5
Armagh71.317.121.425.7
Bolton71.317.121.425.7
Gedling71.917.321.625.9
Parke72.517.421.826.1
Lloyd72.817.521.926.2
Stamford Park74.417.822.326.8
Stonehaven74.417.822.326.8
Gladstone74.417.822.326.8
Gadebridge74.717.922.426.9
Valley75.318.122.627.1
Canterbury75.318.122.627.1
Skipton75.318.122.627.1
Homewood75.918.222.827.3
Ruchill75.918.222.827.3
Crystal Palace76.218.322.927.4
Hilly Fields77.118.523.127.8
Haigh Woodland77.118.523.127.8
Hockley Woods77.418.623.227.9
Dewsbury77.418.623.227.9
Graves77.718.723.328.0
Brentwood78.018.723.428.1
Barclay78.318.823.528.2
Barrow78.618.923.628.3
Larne78.618.923.628.3
Tamar Trails79.219.023.828.5
Temple Newsam79.219.023.828.5
Trelissick79.619.123.928.6
Roundhay79.919.224.028.7
Oldham80.219.224.028.9
Falls81.719.624.529.4
Henley-on-Thames81.719.624.529.4
Ganavan Sands82.019.724.629.5
Alice Holt84.420.325.330.4
Sheringham85.020.425.530.6
Camperdown85.620.625.730.8
Dunfermline86.020.625.830.9
Oakwell Hall86.620.826.031.2
Bramley87.521.026.231.5
Halifax90.821.827.232.7
Colin Glen92.722.227.833.4
Wyre Forest93.322.428.033.6
Gainsborough93.322.428.033.6
Bestwood Village94.222.628.333.9
Pendle94.822.828.434.1
Hampstead Heath96.323.128.934.7
Lancaster99.423.829.835.8
Ashton Court99.723.929.935.9
Bedgebury Pinetum100.324.130.136.1
Clair101.224.330.436.4
Rostrevor101.224.330.436.4
Blackhill102.424.630.736.9
Sheffield Castle103.924.931.237.4
Hadleigh105.225.231.537.9
Cuerden Valley105.225.231.537.9
Tring105.525.331.638.0
Gibside106.425.531.938.3
Tollcross108.526.032.639.1
Barnsley110.626.633.239.8
Ludlow112.827.133.840.6
Queen Elizabeth114.627.534.441.3
Watergrove116.127.934.841.8
Lullingstone124.129.837.244.7
Bevendean Down125.330.137.645.1
Lyme Park125.330.137.645.1
Drumchapel129.231.038.846.5
Mount Edgcumbe133.532.040.148.1
Wepre136.932.841.149.3
Lanhydrock138.133.141.449.7

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7 thoughts on “parkrun : difficulty ratings, adjusted times for toughest / hardest / easiest courses

  1. Hi, I love this table but I’m kinda struggling to understand all the numbers in the tables above. For example, at Richmond Park you calculate – ” 50 seconds are lost and 25 seconds recovered giving a net loss of 25 seconds for the runner who runs track at 25:00/5k ie 5:00/km. The loss is proportionately less for those who run faster and more for those who run slower. Thus the 20 minute parkrunner loses 10 seconds.”

    But the table then shows a 25:00/5k runner losing only 12.5secs (all the 25:00/5k times show half of the net loss time).

    Am I missing something?

    Cheers,

    John,

  2. I’m loving the fact that there is a Parkrun at a place called Hoblingwell – sounds like me at the finish!

  3. Thanks a lot for this table, very interesting reading. I’ve run some of the flattest (Southsea, Portsmouth Lakeside, Strathclyde (my PB)) and some of the hilliest (Watergrove, Halifax, Oakwell). As you rightly say, the downhill never compensates for the extra effort needed uphill. And what your table can’t include is that at Southsea there is almost always a south-westerly wind, behind you on the first 2.5k and then in your face on the return. The same thing applies – you lose a lot more against a headwind than you gain with the wind behind you. I ran my best time at Southsea on a very rare day with no wind at all.

  4. Having done Lloyd 20 times, I’m surprised there are so many that are more difficult than it is. I find that the downhill sections give almost no recovery at all so it is almost a flat out 5k.

    The ones above it must be absolutely savage. Parkruns sure do come in difficult flavours 🙂

  5. Hi there – loving your work here. Can I check my understanding that for say a 25m runner at southsea the additional expected time would be 0.6 + 1.2 = 1.8 seconds?

    We are trying to see if we could use this data to compare performance of our runners across parkruns.

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