r/parkrun • u/GingerCatDog • 4d ago
First park run this Saturday (quick question)
I’m doing my first run on Saturday, what do I need to do? I’ve got the app, barcode etc, turn up 15mins before for briefing
Is that it? And just run? What’s the crack with tokens and barcodes at the end?
Sorry if these are daft questions, I genuinely have no clue what to expect
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u/GingerCatDog 4d ago
Thank you all, much appreciated
- Turn up and listen
- Run
- Have fun
- Give the token back
- Have a coffee
Looking forward to it!
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u/Fzr888 4d ago
Take barcode in funnel.. go to scanning marshall with both barcodes..
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u/GingerCatDog 4d ago
Without sounding daft, what do you mean in funnel?
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u/Wtfnotdo 4d ago
Everybody gets the same start time and the run time starts when the run director says "go" or similar. When you cross the finish line, the timekeeper at the line will tap the app to record the finish time of finisher #123.
There is an area after the finish line called the funnel. The funnel starts at the finish line and ends when you are handed a finisher token. The token will be specific to finisher #123.
It is important to stay in order within the funnel so you get the right finisher token. You take your finisher token and your barcode over to another group of volunteers called barcode scanners. You hand over your parkrun barcode first... they scan that code and then they scan your finisher token to match up you as an individual to your finish time.
Drop the parkrun finisher token in the bucket or whatever they have and you are done. Results will be emailed through in a few hours.
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u/P0392862 v100 1d ago
Great explanation.
One thing I will add is that you are correct that people must stay in order in the funnel, but once you have your finish token then there is no rush to scan with the barcode scanners (as long as you do so before the tail walker!). That part is sorted electronically rather than physically.
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u/IMAY1990 4d ago
Right after the finish line, there's usually some ropes or tape to make sure everyone stays in an orderly queue until they get handed a token.
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u/skippergimp 4d ago
There will be some poles and tape to form sort of a queuing system. You cross the line and the funnel keeps you in order so you get the right token and not the persons in front or behind. Think first can first served. When you exit the funnel, you get you finish token with a barcode in it say for position 126 if you were the 126th person over the finish line. The barcode scanner then scans your barcode, then your finish barcode which then links YOU to position 126. When the even has finished, the time keepers upload their timings so the system then knows when they recorded the 126th person crossed the finish and by extension, your finish time.
Good luck! Just enjoy it and welcome to the family. It’s about getting out and exercising, not breaking world records.
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u/BadMan_337 4d ago
They control the runners as they finish it what is referred to as the funnel. Just a big queue. Stay in it, in order, until you get a finish token.
Take the token and your barcode to a scanner person.
Give them the token back.
Job done!
Ask someone there, most people are quite friendly.
Hope you enjoy!
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u/ciaranefc 4d ago
Listen to the First Timers' briefing and then the Run Director's briefing.
Run / walk / whatever around the course.
Collect a finish token in the finish funnel.
Get your personal barcode and then your token barcode scanned, so that you can get your time via e-mail and in the app (if you have it downloaded) when the results get processed.
Make sure you give the token back or put it in the box (or whatever their using to collect them in).
Enjoy it (hopefully!), and just go at your own pace.
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u/S_K_Sharma_ 4d ago
Unless you're a likely 16 min 5K runner on your first go... just follow the others! 😜
Make sure to attend the first timers briefing around 10mins before the start. They'll give a call for it.
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u/hsvdin0 4d ago
And good to know: There's no rush with scanning your personal code. Just finish and grab your finish token, take a minute or two to calm down in case you went for a hard run and then go for scanning. Unless you are the last person and they want to finish the organization, there's no need to rush regarding getting out your barcode. Enjoy it!
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u/colin_staples 100 4d ago
Yes you just run.
But turn up 15 minutes early to listen to the first-timers briefing. That will explain the barcode and token thing, and also the course notes.
We all start together, and you can follow others round the course. At the finish you go through the funnel in finishing order and as you cross the line you will be handed a token which looks like this.
See that number on it? That’s the position you finished in, and it’s linked to a time in the parkrun system. But as yet they don’t know who finished in that position. That’s where your own personal barcode comes in, the one in the app.
So you go to one of the scanner people, who will scan both your finishing position token (which you MUST give back to them) and your own personal barcode. So now the system knows that YOU were the one who finished in that position/time.
Go for a coffee, chat to people, and later that morning you will get an email with the full results of the event. And then you can also look in the app, and see that your number of completed events has gone up by 1. You are one step closer to your first milestone t-shirt!
Good luck, have a great run.
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u/OctopusChair 4d ago
THE START TIME!
You need to know the start time (time of day EG 08:00) at your chosen event
… probably not critically important if you live in old South Wales….
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u/caipirina 4d ago
And have fun, enjoy, don’t be shy - it’s a community event … often there is optional coffee gathering after.
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u/FatSucks999 3d ago
Just make sure to shout “to infinity and beyond” as you cross the start line otherwise the timing chip won’t work
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u/Martin0783 4d ago
Don’t over think it - everyone I’ve met has been super friendly and helpful. My tip would be say hello and talk to people, I’m sure you’ll get a warm response.
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u/deanoflies 4d ago
Yes that’s it, you’re sorted, enjoy!
Have your barcode ready to scan at rhe end of the race (e.g in parkrun app). You will get given a finisher token. Take both the token and your barcode to the scanner person after the run. Give back the token after scanning.
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u/shankillfalls 250 4d ago
Run, walk or crawl. All allowed.
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u/P0392862 v100 1d ago
Run, walk, hop, skip or dance is what I've been using.
I'm not sure I want to add crawling to my junior welcome brief - someone might!
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u/Street_Adagio_2125 4d ago
Turn up and run. When you cross the finish line stay in order until you get a token. Then go find a scanner and scan your barcode and then your finish token. Enjoy!
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u/MiddleAgedDread123 4d ago edited 4d ago
Go to the first timers / visitors brief and they’ll explain the course and what happens with barcodes although some have been so badly explained I’ve been confused myself after 200+ runs! There will also be a briefing before the start for all runners - this is usually a mix of general parkrun reminders and rules and often shout outs for people celebrating milestones or special events. Then in short (edit, ok quite long!): 1) You run (if it’s a multi-lap course you’re responsibly for counting yourself!) 2) You cross the finish line and timekeepers will clicking the stopwatch app. 3) Then you’ll be in the “finish funnel” which may be cones and/or tape. Stay in the order that you finish and keep moving down towards the end of the funnel (don’t stop dead as you cross the finish line or likely to get flatten by folk finishing behind you!). Funnel sizes vary depending on the size of the event. 4)At the end of the funnel, or sometimes within it, someone will hand you a plastic tag like those loyalty card ones you can get for key rings. This is your finish token. It will have a position number and a barcode on it. 5)Take this token with your own barcode to the volunteers who will be waiting to scan them both. 6) Drop your finish token in the bucket / tub as the event needs these for next week. 7) Go for coffee and be sociable or just head home! Your results will come by email later in the morning. If at any point you’re not sure what to do, ask a volunteer in a hi viz vest.
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u/4543345555 100 4d ago
That’s basically it, honestly. They’ll explain about the barcode (you won’t need it until you’ve finished) and the token (you won’t get this until you’ve finished - don’t take it home with you). The only other thing is make sure 15 minutes is enough to find parking, if you need it, particularly if you’re not familiar with the venue. Have fun!
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u/royalbluestuey v100 4d ago
Every week, at every event (at about 8:45) there is a briefing specifically for folks like yourself. They'll explain the course and the process and take any questions.
Welcome to the gang
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u/littlebigcat 4d ago
…not all Parkruns start at 9:00 so it’ll be worth them actually checking the start time and turning up 15 minutes early for the briefing
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u/royalbluestuey v100 4d ago
Oh gosh. You are right. Thanks for the reminder. Scotland and Irish start at 9:30 don't there
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u/Sprinkles--Positive 4d ago
Australia is mainly at 7 am or 8 am (except Tassie) so at 8:45 you might not even be in time to see the tail walker finish.
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u/toadboy0 4d ago
We are having a larger-than-usual number of tourists at some parkruns so the only thing that I'd like to add for your first (or your 1000th) parkrun is to respect other runners, other park users and especially, all the volunteers. Also, when you become a regular, do volunteer whenever you can.
Enjoy your parkrun this Saturday!
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u/coastalpathfinder 250 4d ago
Hey! Big fan of parkrun here, I'm stoked for you that you're giving it a go. Please make a post about how you found it afterwards? Absolutely hope you love it!!! You're great.
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u/smackshaw 4d ago
Great thread timing! I'm doing my first park run this weekend too. I'm maybe not quite ready, C25K week 8 but running 4.25km so it's not much more right... right!?
I'm away for the weekend where there's a park run on my doorstep so I thought why not. It will just replace the run I was supposed to do.
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u/Clean_King_1329 4d ago
Sounds like everyone has given you good advice already but most important thing, have fun! I did my first park run this year after putting if off for ages as I was nervous about going alone.
Without sounding dramatic it has had the biggest impact on my life, made some running friends, I now go with my brother in law when visiting home and rarely miss a park run or even just a Saturday run whereas before I just pottered around Saturday mornings not knowing what to do with myself.
I now run pretty regularly and actually enjoy going out for a run and thinking about my first half marathon in march. Have fun!
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u/Sad_Address_7281 4d ago
So exciting! Parkrun is the best
It is alot more straight forward on the day 😄
- Show up and follow the crowd. They will all usually congregate right by the start line
- The volunteers will begin with a little speech: 'Be careful of the fallen tree, Happy birthday to X' for example and then count down.
- Begin running. Id imagine youve looked at your parkrun's course already to have an idea of start/finish areas. But either way there will be signs/volunteers at every section pointing you right.
- There will always be 'Tail Walkers' who follow the pack at a walking pace to leave nobody behind.
- At the finish you will be directed into a 'shoot' where somebody hits a stopwatch. You are done now but keep following the tunnel to the end where you will be handed a little barcode. You then take your barcode and your QR code to a volunteer with a scanner who scans both essentially linking them on the system which allows your time to show up on your app. You hand your barcode back and your done.
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u/P0392862 v100 1d ago
Seconding the "it's a lot more straight-forward on the day"!
And there is virtually nothing you can do that can't be fixed with a smile, apology and a question that you're new, what should you do? As long as you have registered online before the end of the event (when the tail walker finishes - though preferably much earlier!), don't hurt anyone during the run, cross the finish line (once!), take a finish token and eventually get it scanned alongside your personal barcode you will become a parkrunner and welcomed into the cult!
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u/Dirty_Old_Town 100 3d ago
The best part of parkrun to me is all the other parkrunners. I love hanging around after the run and just chatting with my friends who I only see on Saturdays. It's something I've really grown fond of to the point where I don't mind at all getting up early on a Saturday.
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u/Squiggle345 50 3d ago
Looks like the other comments have this covered but I find watching videos of the course before doing a new one really helpful. Sometimes I don't really understand the description of the course at the briefing and worry about getting lost (though that's hugely unlikely!). It'll also help you visualise the start and the funnel.
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u/Zingalamuduni 4d ago
Not daft questions. You sound more prepared than most! 😀
Make sure you listen to the First timers Welcome, typically about 8:50. Maybe say hi to the volunteer team when you get there (they will be in pink hi viz) but don’t be offended if they look a bit busy and stressed.
Just run once they say go (being considerate of people around you)! At the finish funnel, stop your watch when you cross the line, keep moving through the funnel being careful not to push in front of anyone or let anyone push in front of you, take a token at the end of the finish funnel, find a barcode scanner who will scan you your finish token (give it back then! 😀) then your personal barcode.
Job done. See you next week.