Parkruns – the free weekly timed races held each Saturday – have become a phenomenon since starting in London’s Bushy Park in 2004. Now there are hundreds of events across the country.
I have taken part in almost 50 of them – not as often in recent years as I would like, mind you – and am well acquainted with the hills of Queen Elizabeth Country Park, the woods of Staunton Country Park and Southsea’s promenade. A parkrun is a wonderful way to kick-start a weekend, and the fact that they are free to participate in is a boon as well.
Here’s the lowdown on what the nearby courses are like to run.
Park run picture galleries: Southsea; Lakeside; Lee-on-the-Solent; Fareham; Havant
Here’s the lowdown on what the nearby courses are like to run.
![Fareham's parkrun is on the Cams Hall estate, starting at the Cams Mill pub and then heading on the path on the edge of the golf course in a there-and-back route. It can be a bit muddy and the path is uneven in places, but it's largely flat. The pub is a handy place for a cup of tea afterwards, too. A small issue is the lack of parking as the recommended spot is the Lysses car park on the other side of the A27
Picture Ian Hargreaves (150220-16)](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmM1ODVlMjA2LWY3NmMtNGZmMy05MjNmLTBhNTg4YjQ3NzFjYjoxNGFmOWQzMy1lZGFmLTRmMjItYmMzMy03MjdhMDYwNjg3MTc=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
5. Fareham
Fareham's parkrun is on the Cams Hall estate, starting at the Cams Mill pub and then heading on the path on the edge of the golf course in a there-and-back route. It can be a bit muddy and the path is uneven in places, but it's largely flat. The pub is a handy place for a cup of tea afterwards, too. A small issue is the lack of parking as the recommended spot is the Lysses car park on the other side of the A27 Picture Ian Hargreaves (150220-16)Photo: Ian Hargreaves
![The course starts at Marine Parade East and is mainly on the promenade, with one section on shingle. Being a seafront run it is very flat, but as ever in this area the wind can wreak havoc on a PB attempt (010120-8)](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjI1NDVkNzg5LWMwYWYtNGQ5ZC1hMmEzLTlkYThhYmUyZDNkMjoyODM4OTNhNS1iY2QxLTQ4MTctYjgyZS02YjYzNTBiMmY5ZDM=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
6. Lee-on-the-Solent
The course starts at Marine Parade East and is mainly on the promenade, with one section on shingle. Being a seafront run it is very flat, but as ever in this area the wind can wreak havoc on a PB attempt (010120-8)Photo: Ian Hargreaves
![A relatively recent arrival, having been started last year, Great Salterns is a flat run that’s still challenging because most of it is on grass and also because of the wind. It’s supported by a small but loyal bunch of regulars so it has a supportive atmosphere, especially for new runners and park walkers](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmEzZjllMDU5LTllYTAtNDE4Ny1hZjQxLTU2NDVjMzU2Y2ZmZTozMTUzM2MyMi03MWIxLTQ1MzYtOTEwZS0xYWQ2ZWNkNTFiZGU=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
7. Great Salterns
A relatively recent arrival, having been started last year, Great Salterns is a flat run that’s still challenging because most of it is on grass and also because of the wind. It’s supported by a small but loyal bunch of regulars so it has a supportive atmosphere, especially for new runners and park walkersPhoto: Chris Moorhouse
![It takes a bit of effort to get here - and to do this course - but it's worth it. As you'd expect from the area it's a very hilly course, with one downhill in particular a do-or-die moment, but on a sunny day it's beautiful. You'll not get close to your PB here, but it's a wonderful and strenuous run to set you up for the day](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmFhMGQ3ZGIwLWI5OTMtNDkwNC1hYjA1LTM1MzUzMWFlOTVjYzplNGY0NDkxYS03YTkxLTQ0MzktOWFiNC03MWIwZDgwMWMwMTY=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
8. Queen Elizabeth Country Park
It takes a bit of effort to get here - and to do this course - but it's worth it. As you'd expect from the area it's a very hilly course, with one downhill in particular a do-or-die moment, but on a sunny day it's beautiful. You'll not get close to your PB here, but it's a wonderful and strenuous run to set you up for the dayPhoto: Duncan Shepherd