Foots Cray Meadows Parkrun. LonDone #8! [Course Overview & Stats]

🏃‍♂️ Foots Cray Meadows parkrun! Course overview, amenities, things to know, and another step closer to LonDone! 📊 FOOTS CRAY MEADOWS PARKRUN IMPORTANT BITS: • PB Potential: Moderate. Relatively flat (~31m elevation) with mild, gentle undulating gradients. Off-road, grassy, and exposed terrain typically leads to slower average finish times compared to tarmac events. • Size: ~50–80 runners. Intimate, friendly, and close-knit community feel with zero start-line congestion! • Pacers: No regular weekly pacers. • Terrain & Footwear: Predominantly trail, grass, and gravel/meadow paths with a very tiny paved section. Dry in summer (road shoes okay, though trail shoes don't hurt), but trail shoes are an absolute essential in autumn/winter when it gets very muddy and waterlogged. Note: Spikes are strictly prohibited. • Toilets: Available at Beck Evans Farm (~8 minute walk, near recommended parking area), open before parkrun starts. • Café / Post-Run Coffee: Head straight to Penelope’s Café at Beck Evans Farm post-run for coffees, cooked breakfasts, and a farm shop. 10% discount if you show your parkrun barcode! • Transit: Free parking at Beck Evans Farm (off Water Lane/North Cray Road). Nearest station is Albany Park (~0.5-mile walk). Local buses include 229, 269, 233, 492, and B14 dropping near Hurst Road, Rectory Lane, or Royal Park Primary School. • Buggies: Very bumpy, grassy, and narrow in parts; can turn into heavy mud in winter. Off-road running buggies only during dry spells. • Dogs: Allowed! One dog per runner on a short, handheld, non-extendable lead. ⚠️ Course Tips: • The venue operates a Regular Course (starts near the children's playground) and an Alternative Course (starts south of the river by the allotments) when fields get waterlogged. Check social media before heading out! • The course is very exposed on sunny days. Bring a hat and sunscreen for the summer months! 🎒 THINGS TO DO NEARBY (PERFECT FOR POST-RUN): ☕ Beck Evans Farm & Penelope's: Enjoy a post-parkrun coffee, farm shop browsing, or a full sit-down brunch right by the car park area. 🌉 Five Arches Bridge & River Cray: Take a scenic post-run walk to view the historic 18th-century Five Arches stone bridge spanning the River Cray. 🛍️ Bexley Village & Sidcup: Head into nearby Bexley Village for charming independent pubs, local boutiques, or historic Hall Place & Gardens. 🎵 Music: INOSSI (YouTube Audio Library)   / inossi   #parkrun #FootsCrayMeadows #LonDone #Running