Burnham-on-Crouch parkrun - event 322

On the 15th February 2025 I ran the Burnham on Crouch parkrun which was the 322nd event held at the venue, my 224th parkrun and 142nd different course I'd attended.

There are places that I simply would never have visited in my life had parkrun not been invented. Burnham-on-crouch is precisely one of them. Situated at the far end of Essex, due east of South Woodham Ferrers, another town dotted along the River Crouch that I took wouldn't have visited had it not been for parkrun. Burnham-on-crouch was therefore the latest stop on my Saturday morning journey and home to yet another free timed 5k running event.

Joining me again this weekend was Mark and my brother in law Richard who had a rare luxury of a free weekend when his wife and children were away and he could live a bit more loose and free. He also volunteered driving duties which was a nice change for me letting someone take control behind the wheel for a change. I was able to admire the Essex countryside and take in strange but familiar surroundings on the short 50 minute journey across the water.

As mentioned, Burnham-on-crouch sits on the River Crouch, but the parkrun venue starts on a small spot of parkland next to the river itself. The course is two laps and consists mainly of an out-and-back route which is much more varied than you might think.

Starting next to the toilet block the course heads to the opposite side of the park where the play apparatus is situated, before turning right to the southern end where the path rises upwards and zig-zags it's way onto the sea wall.

Once up and onto the promenade the route heads west a short while before turning right at the harbour. Participants get an opportunity to admire the boats and other marine vessels as they run inland following the coastline before veering right and into another area of parkland. 

The park here is slightly more wild and less formal than the start area which is used for recreational purposes such as football and rugby.

We were warned beforehand about mud, and this part of the course was were the brown stuff was at its worse. But the temperatures had been fairly low over the past few nights so wasn't at it's worse by any means. There was one particular patch which was extremely soft and caused a few minor slippages, but can imagine it being much more challenging on another day.

After a wide loop of this area which rises and dips gently the course retraces it's steps, although not quite fully. The 'out' part of the lap was taken on the outside on firm concrete paths where the 'back' part was taken on the inside, on the grass field that was higher up than the route out.

This difference in levels made for a) good views across the river and b) unique views of other participants who were making their ways around their second laps below you.

Rather than rejoining the zig-zag path back down to the park below to complete the lap, there is another park which slopes down a single level to rejoin the park on the opposite side. This does help provide a bit of a spring in the step as you return back behind the toilet block where the finish is waiting. Or the start of the second lap where the whole route is ran again for a further time.

Overall I'd categorise the course as flat. There are a few minor elevation changes, but nothing to stress over on changing and potentially challenging surfaces.

I ran, once again with my.mind on my injury situation. The leg which has been giving me some discomfort made the start a bit of a challenge, but I eventually warmed myself into it without pushing too much.

I finished in 58th position out of a field of 101 participants in a time of 30.27. it was also my 15th parkrun event out of 24 in Essex. Which has started me to think about the inevitable question... Which county has the better parkrun venues, Kent or Essex?