parkrun | Before and After

Before & After

Those are pictures from one of the first parkruns and one of the most recent parkruns at Bushy Park where parkrun started in 2004 (2 October).

Today was parkrun’s 14th Birthday.

Before: Here is a link to the first ever, ever, ever parkrun results https://www.parkrun.org.uk/bushy/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=1 with the mens ‘event’ won by Chris Owens (Ranelagh Harriers) and the ladies event won by Rachel Rowan (Thames Turbo Triathlon). A total of 13 finishers
After (Today): Here is a link to today’s event https://www.parkrun.org.uk/bushy/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=755 where there were 1540 finishers. This time neither club managed a victory but Ranelagh Harriers had 16 finishers and Thames Turbo had 13 finishers ie as many from each club as the total number of finishers in the first ever race! Which shows that running/triathlon clubs are obviously getting involved because of the relative ease to which club runs can be organised either socially or semi-competitively.

This was just short of the biggest ever parkrun attendance of 1,705

Before: Median finish time (as the maths is easier) 21:01
After: Median finish time today: 27:18

Note that parkrun see year-on-year slower average finish times as a measure of success. It is one indicator that more people are getting involved from all walks of life.

Before: The first ever parkrun barcode was given to athlete number 5, Abigail Storms: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/results/athleteresultshistory/?athleteNumber=5 in approximately October 2005. The first events did not have barcodes – my understanding is that the first 2500 barcodes (excluding 1-4) were assigned alphabetically.
After: The 5 millionth parkrun registered athlete must therefore be Sarah HEWITT https://www.parkrun.org.uk/results/athleteresultshistory/?athleteNumber=5000000

But really the honour of the 5 millionth registered parkrunner should go to Oliver HAMMANS https://www.parkrun.org.uk/results/athleteresultshistory/?athleteNumber=5000005 I am still happy with having a 4 digit parkrun number on my barcode (significantly less than 10,000) but I always rue, a little, not getting in on the parkrun act earlier. 😉

Before: Paul Sinton-HEWITT
After: Paul Sinton-HEWITT CBE

Not a lot of people know that me (random internet person) and some other random internet person (JMJ) got local MP, Vince Cable to support Paul’s nomination. That nomination was supported by KW, TW and 2 further ‘random’ runners from Richmond parkrun.

Some bedtime reading for you…

This: https://the5krunner.com/tag/parkrun/

Fastest parkrun, Hardest parkrun & Easiest Courses in UK | difficulty ratings

More of the parkrun story, including training guides, technology, and course reviews, is indexed in the parkrun hub.

Last Updated on 27 May 2026 by tfk the5krunner

Small things I always use

Garmin 90-degree charging adapter: Charges your Garmin from any USB-C cable. Essential when travelling. I use one.
Body Glide: The blue anti-chafe stick swimmers and runners carry. I use it.
Speedo earplugs: Fewer ear infections and no cold-water dizziness. I use them.
Dryrobe Advance: My winter changing robe for open-water swims. I use one. A cheaper option is the AONYIYI changing robe.
Maurten: Race fuel that stays easy on the stomach. I use them.
Beet It Sport nitrate shots: Beetroot shots I take in the days before a race. I use them.
Garmin charging puck: The quickest way to top up before a session. I use one.
Injinji: Toe socks that stop rubbing, so you run more. I use them.
Ultimate toe protectors: Stop black toenails on long runs. They work. I use them.
Compressport R2 v2 calf sleeves: My calf sleeves of choice. I use them.
Cellucor C4: My pre-workout before hard sessions.
TPU tubes: Schwalbe Aerothan, Tubolito and Pirelli SmarTube. Light, tiny spares. I use all three.
G8 insoles: Adjustable insoles that are good. I use them.
Cycplus Cube: A 97g electric pump that gets a road tyre rideable in two minutes. I carry one. 5% off with code THE5KRUNNER.

Watches and sensors

Polar H10: My daily driver for waking HRV.
Polar Verity Sense: My backup arm-worn HR sensor.
Nomad bedside charger: Charges my iPhone and Apple Watch overnight. I use it, and many of their bands.
Train.Red: The best muscle oxygen sensor I’ve used.
Tymewear: Accurate heart rate and reliable ventilatory zones. I use it to pace endurance rides over an hour.
Garmin Forerunner 970: A pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
Apple Watch Ultra 4: My daily smartwatch. No phone needed on rides.
Garmin Fenix 9 Pro: I’ve just bought one.

On the bike

Continental GP5000 for everyday riding, and Aero 111 on the front for special occasions.
Helmets: Specialized S-Works Evade 3 for road riding, and Rudy Project Wing for TT-style races. I use both.
Ravemen FR300: A front light that mounts under your Garmin or Wahoo. I use one.
Wahoo TRACKR Radar: I use it on one bike and Varia on the other. They perform the same.
Garmin Varia RTL515: Radar that warns you of cars from behind. I use this model.
Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3: The bike computer that’s easy to use. I use mine on most rides.
Favero Assioma Pro RS2: Accurate power pedals that swap easily between bikes. I use this model.

Home and indoor training

NPE Runn: Makes my basic treadmill smart, sending more accurate speed and distance to my watch and Zwift. I use it.
Google Wifi: Keeps Zwift connected in my pain cave. I use it.
Apple TV 4K: Zwift on the big screen. I use two.
Google Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen): My video doorbell, running in both Google Home and Apple Home. I use it.

Health, recovery and sleep

FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus: Shows how my blood sugar responds to diet.
hDrop: Measures my sweat loss in summer and indoors.
Fourth Frontier Zone: Checks my heart under load in hard sessions.
Oura Ring 5: My partner’s recovery tracker of choice.
Eight Sleep: A cooling mattress cover my partner and I use nightly.

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tfk the5krunner

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. See the gear tfk uses. ID

parkrun | Before and After | 14 years on