Adam Bird - My Personal Blog

On the 4th October 2025 I ran the Houghton Hall parkrun which was the 330th event held at the venue, my 256th parkrun and 173rd different course I'd attended. The first named storm of the season, storm Amy brought with her weather disruption all across the UK with forecasted winds up to 100mph and caused a series of parkrun cancellations across Friday and into Saturday morning. Being well trained by now in the art of the last minute weather related detour, I needed to keep my wits about me and show some of the agility skills I barely get the opportunity to display out there on the course. Although it wasn't just the weather that was causing me logistic challenges. First it was the football calendar, then it was bacon rolls long before Amy came along. Gillingham were scheduled to play MK Dons at Stadium MK which meant that I'd have time to do parkrun in the morning and have time to get to the game by 3pm with one of our more local away games. But the powers that be at Sky t...

On the 27th September 2025 I ran the Rickmansworth parkrun which was the 378th event held at the venue, my 255th parkrun and 172nd different course I'd attended. After visiting as many parkrun events as I have, you'd think that I would be more than happy to skip over the first-timers briefing. But the first-timers briefing isn't solely for those new to parkrun, it's also aimed at tourists who are visiting the venue for the first time and important information about the course, it's route and general specific event details are provided. Had I not stopped to listen to the first-timers briefing at Rickmansworth on Saturday I would have found myself incredibly confused and quite possibly lost, or setting myself a PB time I'd never be able to beat. According to the course information page on the event website the course was two laps with a long start/finish straight at either side. But during the briefing we was informed that the website was out of date and that the...

On the 20th September 2025 I ran the Severn Bridge parkrun which was the 279th event held at the venue, my 254th parkrun and 171st different course I'd attended. There are over 2,000 parkrun events worldwide, with just over 800 in the UK. Each event is unique, but there are some that stand out in the crowd and dare I use the term, grown to become 'iconic'. Events such as Bushey for the spectacle of 1,500 stampeding across the start line like a scene from Braveheart. The painful sand dune ascent as Woolacambe Dunes or the scenic beauty of Fountains Abbey. These are events that tourist groups on Social Media have popularised and so visiting them not only becomes visiting a parkrun event it becomes a badge of honour. When the football fixture list came out and Gillingham were scheduled away at Newport County on a Saturday morning, I knew straight away what my weekend was going to look like. There's an abundance of events is easy reach of Newport, but the one I really want...

On the 13th September 2025 I ran the Barclay parkrun which was the 466th event held at the venue, my 253rd parkrun and 170th different course I'd attended. As well as trying to complete all 65 parkruns in Greater London, all 24 in Essex to match the 24 I've done in Kent I thought I'd pay a visit to my 6th event in Hertfordshire to go someway closer to ticking off all 14 parkrun events in the county. If it all sounds rather obsessive then you are correct and I've made no attempts to shy away from it either. There are plenty worse obsessions and what could be any better for me than running for my health? Barclay park lies on the outskirts of Hoddesdon, another place that I would never have visited if it hadn't have been for that niche obsession of mine. A short drive north of the M25 in what looked to be a rather affluent commuter town. Upon arrival I knew straight away that I was going to be in for a tricky morning. The park revealed in its full 3D glory away from Y...

On the 6th September 2025 I ran the Harrow parkrun which was the 467th event held at the venue, my 252nd parkrun and 169th different course I'd attended. My recent parkrun adventures have taken me far and wide with recent trips to Oldham, Ruthin and Accrington separated by nearer trips to Fulham and my milestone run at Leybourne Lakes. So it was quite nice to tick off another London venue and continue to slowly chip away at my goal of visiting all parkruns in the region. As Harrow (or it's vicinity) is home to a work colleague, it was another opportunity to meet her and enjoy another parkrun event together. We last ran Canons Park parkrun together over two years ago. In-between those two dates, I've been virtually ever present, whilst she hadn't ran at all so I was secretly hoping come the end of the event she'd been bitten by the bug like I have! Harrow parkrun takes place on Harrow recreation ground and is surrounded by housing on all sides. The venue is home to ...

On the 30th August 2025 I ran the Oldham parkrun which was the 697th event held at the venue, my 251st parkrun and 168th different course I'd attended. Last week I celebrated my 250th parkrun event and celebrated the official milestone in relatively low-key fashion. If you weren't already aware parkrun celebrates official milestones at 25, 50, 100, 250, 500 and 1,000 events, with a range of coloured merchandise 'unlocked' and available to purchase at each stage. 3 years on from celebrating my 100th parkrun at Bushy, and five years at least until I reach my 500th I returned to Leybourne Lakes and took part in the event volunteering as a tail-walker. I figured that by walking the event I'd be able to encourage more people to participate alongside me and so I was joined by Stephanie and Hayden who walked around with me. Phoebe joined us in making the trip, but got as far as the start line whilst Oliver couldn't quite get himself out of bed. That was my fourth effo...