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.
![Havant parkrun is more accurately Leigh Park park run, held as it is at Staunton Country Park. It's a wonderful course of two large and one small circuit of the country park, with a few hills. It's undulating in places with a couple of steep slopes, and can be a bit skiddy at full pelt - but it's a great, fun course. This one is my favourite in the area because of its twists and turns, its picturesque scenery and the fact that the course is challenging but it is still possible to hit it at a fast pace](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmJjMjkxMWUwLTAwMjEtNDliNy1iOWQ2LWJiNzUxZjMzZDgwNzo1ZWZhODE3OC05YzVkLTRmOWEtYjIxMS02MWQ1NDkyMmMwZjI=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
9. Havant
Havant parkrun is more accurately Leigh Park park run, held as it is at Staunton Country Park. It's a wonderful course of two large and one small circuit of the country park, with a few hills. It's undulating in places with a couple of steep slopes, and can be a bit skiddy at full pelt - but it's a great, fun course. This one is my favourite in the area because of its twists and turns, its picturesque scenery and the fact that the course is challenging but it is still possible to hit it at a fast pacePhoto: Alex Shute