Great Yarmouth North Beach parkrun — Local services in Great Yarmouth

I'm a very casual runner (Couch to 5k level) and had been repeatedly told by friends that Parkruns were suitable for all abilities, including my very minimal ones.

I eventually turned up for my very first Parkrun at Great Yarmouth, but unfortunately was not prepared for the nightmarish run that followed.

The entire course is on sand - some on the more packed wet sand by the water, but most on soft, fine sand that is intensely draining to run on. I did eventually complete it, but it left me utterly exhausted.

So be warned - this is NOT a pleasant experience for casual runners. I'm sure more dedicated sportspeople might regard it as an enjoyable challenge, but I'd recommend staying away if you're in the Couch to 5k category.

There's no warning of any kind on the Parkrun website that it's like this. I as only assume someone specifically sat down and tried to create the UK's hardest Parkrun simply in order to be able to claim the title.

For myself the idea of Parkruns is intensely unappealing after this experience - first, last and only for...

One of the great, well known park runs for being hard. The whole course is a two lap circuit on very fine, soft sand, which on occasion can have strong winds blowing against you as well. Plenty of car parking right next to the start of which is not free. I paid over £11 for 10 hours parking as I took my mountain bike with me as well. Plenty of time to park run, 5 mile walk plus lunch, a 30 mile bike ride plus a dip in the sea. I’ll be back for more of this one day. Great...

A brilliant parkrun. Good views challenging terrain. Felt like I'd done a 10k afterwards as the sand surface is a hard run! Certainly Not for couch to 5k-ers. Do some easier ones first! But this is one of the best...