Report By: John Kilcoyne

Race Date: 3^rd September 2022

No Walk In The Park is a 5k race held on the 1st Saturday of each month at Queen’s Park in Chesterfield Centre. It is hosted by North Derbyshire RC. Starting and finishing in front of the Cricket Pavilion it is basically a 4 lap loop of the park paths with a little climb towards the end of each lap followed by a short decline. Overall I would say it’s a fairly quick course though the incline is a bit tiresome by lap 4. You can pre enter or pay the £5 on the day. (See NDRC Facebook page.)

After going under 19 mins for the 1st time in a very long time at Rother Valley Parkrun in May, but then having a poor June / July training wise I was hoping to get back to somewhere near 19 mins here and after heading off a touch too quick, managed to get round in 19:09 so was happy overall. The entry numbers were a little low on previous events (Wilne 10k was on the Sunday and also the end of school holidays were possibly a factor) and I pretty much ran from start to finish on my own, never close enough to 4th place to get pulled along and too far in front of 6th to be pushed so hopefully next time will have more company.

I would recommend this as an alternative to Parkrun if you are looking for a 5k and the results go on Power of 10. There was also tea and cakes available in the Pavilion afterwards. The Friday evening summer series concludes on 23rd of September at 18:45 and the next Saturday event is 1st October. Would be good to see a few striders there in future and it’s also supporting a local club

The men’s race was won by Robert Bishop (probably former Strider now with Dronfield) in 17:27 and the women’s race by Ann Barker in 21:52.

Link to full results here.