The future of Christmas Parks

[Lunaticonthegrass]

We haven't had a Christmas Parks challege in a few years. The last one was in 2022, and only one person turned up - me! The last proper event was in 2019, which is quite a while ago now.

Are people bored with it now? Or might enough of us still be keen? Might there be one this year?

Thoughts/comments?

[Elsie]

I’ve tried twice and jt was a nightmare getting off for pics (although I understand it’s part of the challenge), but more so the crowds on a Saturday. Hyde Park Corner with 1000s of families isn’t fun!

[Oggm]

I would happily give it a go (I have a two year old route which I still haven't put into practice)

[Going Underground]

I'm pretty much done with it as have double torn hamstring from 3 years ago that never healed properly so Z1 and R15 is hard enough.
It's just too long now, too much running usually in unpleasant and dark conditions.
But please feel free to go ahead and set an event up - suggest you use a starting station that is unique from previous years and if on a Saturday check that all the park stations are open.

[Lunaticonthegrass]

OK, well if others are keen and since Kevin doesn't mind me taking over, I'll see if I can organise something. Potential dates might be:

Saturday 13th December
Saturday 20th December
Saturday 27th December
Monday 29th December
Tuesday 30th December

Saturday 6th December is out as the Northern Line is closed north of Archway, giving no service to Woodside. 13th has no service on the Northern Line north of Golders Green, so all Park stations are open but there's no easy way to get between Belsize and Cannons, thus limiting route options. All other dates have no closures which would majorly affect the challenge.

Would all those interested please state which dates they can do.

[Going Underground]

More than happy to pass the baton James

[RJSRdg]

13th has no service on the Northern Line north of Golders Green, so all Park stations are open but there's no easy way to get between Belsize and Cannons, thus limiting route options.

Depending on running speed, going via Golders Green might not necessarily be the quickest route from Belsize to Cannons anyway

[Oggm]

Saturday 13th December
Saturday 20th December
Saturday 27th December
Monday 29th December
Tuesday 30th December

I would be happy attending any of these dates

[mps247]

Hello everyone! It's been a while. Hope you're all doing well. I'd like to join in if this is going to happen!

Unfortunately, the only date I could definitely make is Tuesday 30th December. Potentially, Saturday 20th December or Monday 29th December, but I would need to get away early (so would need to start no later than 10 am). However, if either of those dates work for everyone else and you would prefer a later start, I'm happy to potentially do as much as I can before I need to head off.

[Lunaticonthegrass]

There are now 3 potential attendees, so I'll try to get something organised.

I was thinking of a start window between 9am and 11am, so starting before 10am would be fine. I'll wait to see if a few more are interested before pinning down a date.

[penguin]

Sorry for seeing this only now!! I'd love to take part. The Festive Parks was my first tube challenge ever!

I'm planning on returning to London on Christmas day, so a date after then would be ideal. I can't make any promises this far in advance, but having a fixed date at this point would certainly be helpful for planning my other activities round the south!

[Golf]

I do love attending the parks challenge it suits some runs that i absolutely dont do in random 15,s i be up for this my only thing it,s on a saturday so i have to choose my parkrun accordingly is it a fixed start or where u like?

[RJSRdg]

If memory serves, it's a fixed start (different one each year) but with some latitude as to starting time.

[Going Underground]

don't know how much help it is - this is the initial parks post

http://www.tubechallenge.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=633