Skip to main content

Littleport parkrun

I was originally planning on continuing to visit events in Essex this week, however, I decided to change pace an visit a Cambridgeshire event after a change of plans for my festive parkrunning. I ultmately decided to visit Littleport parkrun this week having looked at previous results, and seeing that there are often a good number of walkers, as I intended to continue walking while recovering from an injury.

The area

Littleport lies in the fens, in Cambridgeshire. The fens is a vast expanse of former marsh land which was drained and reclaimed from 1626 through the construction of a series of canals to drain the land. These canals still shape much of the modern infrastructure in the area today, with many particlarly straight roads and canals to be found in the area.

The village of Littleport was reportedly founded when drunk monks turned away King Canut when he sought shelter. The village is predominantly residential, but played a role in the Peasants Revolt, as well as being one of the main reasons for Vagrancy laws being formed.

Littleport Recreation Ground

The course

Littleport parkrun follows just over 2 laps of a figure-8 course around the grounds of the leisure centre playing fields, and the adjacent recreation grounds, using a path to connect the two.

Free parking, toilets, and a cafe are all available at the leisure centre.

The run

It was a frosty start to the morning today, and so with the course being two-thirds on grass, I decided today was a day for trail shoes - something I was thanknful for as the run passed!

Littleport Leisure Centre

The event reminded me of neighbouring Mildenhall Hub parkrun, being a mixture of paths and grass, using a leisure centre as the base for operations.

Thank you to all of the volunteer team for such a welcoming event!

After the run

After the run, I decided to head westwards towards the Old Bedford River - an artificial river constructed in the 1600s, and used as to drain the fens of Cambridgeshire to create vast amounts of new land.

The view north towards Downham Market

The river runs for approximately 19 miles in a straight line, meeting The Wash, and ultimately the North Sea at King's Lynn.

The view south, with the rail bridge to Manea in the distance

While there are specific waterways, rain in recent weeks meant the drainage system was definitely being used for its intended purpose.

Water in the drainage system

Links: Run Report | Results | Strava

Labels:
Location: Littleport Leisure, Camel Rd, Littleport, Ely CB6 1EW, UK

Popular posts from this blog

Coldham's Common parkrun

As my recovery from injury is still underway, I decided that I would attend a flat course this week to avoid any potential for reaggrevation. Unfortunately this means I will need to pause my completion of the Essex events, as the remaining courses are all somewhat lumpy. Having visited all of the other Cambridge parkruns, including Storeys Field parkrun, Fulbourn Hospital parkrun, and Cambridge parkrun knowing that they are all relatively flat, I decided that this week I would complete the Cambridge set. The area Coldham's Common has a long history, serving as both a hospital during the 17th century smallpox outbreak, and a quarry during the 19th century, as well as a rifle range also during the 19th century. The course The route follows two laps of the perimeter of the common through an hour-glass shape, connecting two fields through a five-bar-gate. The course is all on grass, and is all flat. Limited parking is available nearby, while toilets are available in
Read more

Aldenham parkrun

Icey conditions in days leading up to parkrun day meant many events were cancelled this week. While I would have ideally been able to visit another event in Essex, I decided that I valued having options more in the event of cancellation this week, and so I instead headed to the cluster of events surrounding the Watford area. The area Aldenham Country Park is located near Watford, and centres on Aldenham reservoir, with grassland and woodland surrounding the reservoir itself. The reservoir was excavated by French prisoners of war during 1795 as part of the wider management of the Grand Union Canal's water levels, and now serves as a reserve water supply. In addition to the reservoir, the country park also supports the breeding of a number of rare species of farm animals, including cattle, goats, pigs, and sheep. The course The course follows two laps of the reservoir, with the second lap skipping the inner peninsular. The course is flat, and is run mainly on trail pat
Read more

Brentwood parkrun

This week I decided to return to making more progress towards completing all events in Essex by visiting Brentwood. The area While the modern town of Brentwood is a popular commuter town, being served by the Elizabeth line, it is also where the first events of the Peasants Revolt took place. Locals refused to pay a poll tax imposed on them, and instead rioted, threatening to kill the commissioner trying to collect the tax. Word of these riots spread to the wider country, initiating the wider revolt, including at Littleport , Billericay and North Walsham . The town is surrounded by countryside, and in the west lies Weald Park; the remains of a former country estate. The park was originally considered as a possible location for the mountain biking course during the 2012 Olympics, before the committee ultimately decided that Hadleigh would prove a more challenging course. The course Owing to the wet weather, today's run followed an alternative route nicknamed "The B
Read more