The soggy one! - Burgess parkrun#508 - 02/03/24

Where we store the Burgess parkrun equippment, photo credit Madeleine Matos.

This is England, this is March and the weather can be miserable. This morning was one of those days, it was miserable with a capital M.

Cold, rain and wind were added to paths which had turned into rivers and instead of puddles, there were mini ponds. This was near-apocalyptic-like conditions for me. If not for parkrun there is no way I would be outside; days like today are made for sofas, duvets and hot drinks.    

It appears a lot of last week's participants favoured the duvet and hot drinks option with numbers down from 641 - 477 but not Chris Watt. Chris, a friendly, encouraging Burgess speedster/regular (119 attendances at Burgess parkrun and 191 in total) who often speeds around with buggy and son inside, was here once again. Running practically the same time as last week instead of finishing 3rd Chris finished 1st. Fortune really can favour the brave! And even though I finished in the last 4 again, I was faster too, the rain perhaps motivating me to walk a little bit faster 🙂 

Whilst bananas had been brought people weren’t lingering at the end with hot drinks, hot showers and duvets sought. 

For those of you who might find yourself in Burgess park with torrential rain and still a long distance from home, warm beverages can be sourced from these places in and around park;

1. Burgess park Angling Club (in the park)

Newly formed at the top of the lake, the angling club hut serves teas and other hot drinks to keep you warm; https://www.facebook.com/burgessparkanglingclub/?locale=en_GB

1. Park Life Cafe (in the park)

Benefiting from inside seating this is a great destination when the rain is torrential and you have time to sit back, relax and let the rain clouds pass; https://parklife-cafe.co.uk/

1. Burgess Clubhouse Cafe (in the park)

Situated close to the finish funnel, it’s popular with attendees. Whilst not offering inside seating it does have awnings which can provide some respite from the rain; https://ourclubhouse.cafe/

1. Fowlds Cafe (outside the park)

We are very grateful that the owners of Fowlds let us store much of the essential equipment needed to put on the parkrun event. They have a covered courtyard at the back where drinks can be had and tales of the events discussed; http://london-se.siteleaf.net/spots/fowlds-cafe/

1. Sour Leaf Cafe (outside the park)

Finally, Sour Leaf Cafe is where the Burgess parkrun core team go to process the event results. A great destination for post-run analysis and a well-earned brunch; https://sourleafcafe.co.uk/

The awnings can offer some protection from the rain

This is not a comprehensive list of places outside the park. 

Tomorrow I’m looking forward to better weather for my belated birthday run tour of 10 under-appreciated buildings on London’s South Bank; https://londonist.com/london/art-and-photography/south-bank-lesser-known-buildings

Happy running

https://www.nuhorizons.uk/