Ian Runs

With my focus on attending events in new cities recently, this week I decided to attend Stevenage parkrun - the first area to receive New Town status under the New Towns Act, intended to alleviate housing shortages after the conclusion of World War 2. The area Stevenage parkrun takes place in Fairlands Valley Park, Stevenage. Although Stevenage only received town status in 1946 as part of a government scheme to reduce pressures on the housing market, a settlement has been present in this area since at least the Roman era, owing to the area's proximity to the Roman road between what is now St Albans, and the town of Baldock. Fairlands Valley Park is perhaps best known for the wide and diverse array of water sports which take place on its 11 acre main lake, however, the park includes many other facilities, including woodland, parkland, and conservation areas. The course The course follows two laps of well marshalled tarmac and trail paths around two of the park's small...