Folkestone parkrun - event 350

On the 17th September 2022 I ran the Folkestone parkrun which was the 350th event held at the venue, my 95th parkrun and 30th different course I'd attended.

As a one car family I've only been able to tour this year due to an arrangement of convenience we've established with my in-laws. Every Friday we've driven off to the in-laws house, picked up my father-in-law's car and Stephanie has used that to perform taxi services for the children on Saturday mornings whilst I've used our car to drive to my various parkrun venues.

I had planned to run Kingdom parkrun this week where I was looking to tick off my 'K' and meet up with Jennie and Tom Grimes who I'd last met up with at East Grinstead, but due to a late change of circumstances I had to swap plans around and run Folkestone this week and Kingdom next.

Due to my father-in-law having a fishing trip, he needed his car this week and with Folkestone easily accessible by public transport it made sense to jiggle my plan around. There are a number of events accessible via rail from Gravesend, particularly with the introduction of the Elizabeth Line. However, I didn't fancy travelling up to London this weekend as it was going to be particularly busy what with the preparations for the Queen's funeral and the high number of people traveling to pay their respects.

From Ebbsfleet International, Folkestone Central is only 30 minutes away, albeit at over £30 for a return ticket! From Folkestone Central it's a straightforward ten minute walk from the station to the event start line which is based on The Leas, which is the town's unique clifftop promenade.

Although beautiful and sunny there was a distinct chill in the air and it definitely felt like autumn had arrived. I wore a jacket for the first time in months and wished I'd worn something warmer. I was slightly concerned about there being a strong coastal wind but fortunately my worries were unfounded. Upon arrival at the start line and the cafe/toilet block which sits just beyond is a vista out to sea. The water was like a millpond and the air was still. With the sky cloudless and a beautiful blue, you'd be forgiven for thinking it was still summer if it wasn't for the overall temperature of the air. I couldn't have hoped for better running conditions and the change of venue this week was looking very much like a serendipitous stroke of luck.

The course is a double out and back affair. From the start line participants run west along the coastal path towards Sandgate. It starts off initially flat, but once past the bandstand the path turns to the right slightly and you can see it continuing onwards rising up gently ahead of you. All the way along the promenade and up to the first turnaround point you have the sea to your left with views all the way over to Dungeness making it a fantastic place for a Saturday morning run.

The gradient upwards on its first pass is manageable and before it gets too taxing you hit the turnaround point and come back the way you came so the sea is now on your right. Shortly after the turnaround point the course turns right, off the main path and down a single track path that forms part of the Lower Leas Coastal park.

This path dips down slightly and meanders around all the way back along the main promenade but at a lower level, adding much needed interest and character to the course. At one point the path zig zags through a veranda type element which is lined with benches offering peaceful views out across the English Channel. Unfortunately there was a little bit of rubbish strewn across the path here, McDonalds wrappers adding a touch of realism to an otherwise idillyic location.

After you've navigated the meandering lower level path, it rises up slightly to rejoin the main promenade path by the bandstand which this time appears on your left. You continue running east towards the harbour arm, past the start/finish area, past the cafe complex and continue towards the white arch in the distance which not only provides a landmark to aim for but is the location of the next turnaround point.

This arch is known as the 'Step Short Memorial' built to honour our fallen soldiers in WWII. The run out to the arch was flat and it felt fast, ever increasing in confidence as I made my way to the turnaround point. The marshall point is apparently the 3km mark of the course and on turning back around, the sea is once again alongside you to the lef. From here it's a long outward stretch back westward along the Leas, past the bandstand and up the slope again to the highest point of the course.

Whilst on the first ascent it felt light and manageable, inevitably the second was more notable. But with the confidence in the legs of the previous stretch I wanted to keep pushing and felt capable in doing so. At the top, once the turnaround has been reached again for the second time it's a matter of retracing the steps of the first outward part of the course. Back down the lower, meandering coastal path, following it all the way back out by the bandstand and a short sprint to the finish line.

I finished in 146th place out of a field of 260 parkrunners in a time of 28:04, which was my joint 3rd all time fastest parkrun time.

We are blessed in Kent with some fantastic parkrun venues and Folkestone has to be up there with the best of them. The views are stunning and the course is varied and interesting, whilst providing a challenge that's not too challenging. I will definitely look to come back again in the summer and maybe keep on running next time straight down to the beach to cool down in the sea!