There are people who arrive at parkrun with time to spare, and people who apparently regard the starting signal as a suggestion to roll out of bed on a Saturday morning.
I belong to the first camp. It’s not moral superiority or efficiency; it’s just how I like to begin my parkrun. Unhurried, unstressed, enjoying the moment.
A recent parkrun discussion began with a marshal describing unexpectedly closed vehicle access and runners arriving with little time to find another way in. The replies were familiar at first.
One runner liked arriving early for a chat and a chance to get their bearings. Others described catching the tail walker or making a seamless transition from car park to running course. That last manoeuvre sounds efficient, provided you have remembered which pocket contains your barcode.
The response that interested me most came from someone who deliberately arrived late because the crowded start felt stressful. Once the field spread out, running became more comfortable. That makes me wary of assuming lateness means carelessness.
Still, volunteers have a morning to organise too. Arriving in time to listen to the pre-start briefing is one small way we can help.
As for me, I arrive early because I dislike beginning something enjoyable in a state of emergency. I want to notice the lake, judge the wind, exchange a few words with someone whose name I am still pretending to remember.
Mostly, I want those unclaimed minutes before the start. Nobody needs anything from me yet. I am simply there, among people who have also turned up.
How does your parkrun begin?