01/08/2026
Thanks to Graham for writing this run report for us!
I travelled down to Cambridge for a family wedding, and of course had to make sure I had enough time to squeeze in a spot of parkrun tourism. My folks wisely suggested I catch the Stagecoach No. 2 bus to Milton Tesco. It turned out to be excellent advice, and I even bumped into volunteer Tom on there. Clearly, the parkrun magic had begun before even reaching the start. Arriving with time to spare meant I could enjoy my usual pre-run warm-up routine: a few leg swings, opening the gait, etc, and, of course, "shooing the chickens" (IYKYK).
Carrie welcomed all the first-timers with a brilliant briefing, including a warning to keep an eye out for exposed tree roots. Happily, the roots and I reached an understanding, and we stayed out of each other's way for the next 5K.
With over 360 runners gathered at the start, the marshals expertly encouraged everyone to line up according to their likely finishing time. A bold strategy that mostly worked, at least until some remembered they were definitely going to run "just a little bit faster today."
Before we knew it, we were off! After the customary opening shuffle, things settled nicely, and I was helped along by my trusty Spotify running playlist (The Smiths Mix). It turns out that a bit of 1980s melancholy is surprisingly motivational when you're trying to maintain your pace.
The course was a shady delight: two laps almost entirely beneath a welcome canopy of trees, making it feel positively civilised despite the effort involved. The marshals were out in force, cheering us on with smiles and encouragement that somehow convinced tired legs they had another kilometre in them. Almost before I knew it, I was heading through the finish funnel wondering, "Did I really run that quickly?" The answer, according to my Garmin, was apparently yes!
No parkrun is complete without the traditional post-run refreshments, and the on-site café delivered the goods. Excellent coffee, friendly company, and that wonderful post-5K feeling where sitting down suddenly becomes an achievement worthy of applause.
Then it was back onto the trusty No. 2 bus, with plenty of time to spruce myself up for the family wedding. Thankfully, the only thing I had on display at the ceremony was a smile, and not my parkrun barcode.
Milton Country parkrun is everything that makes parkrun special: a beautiful course, fantastic volunteers, enthusiastic marshals, and a genuinely warm welcome for visitors. Thank you to everyone who made the event happen.
I'll be back, as a certain Austrian once famously promised.
