Running in Desmond

It is common knowledge in Jesmond that the areas mix of wide-open spaces and scenic nature means that a popular method of staying active amongst residents is jogging said spaces. However, while the activity is proven to be a favourite, the way in which it is done so varies on participant. Primarily a divide between running independently or in a group environment.

 

Mechanical Engineering student Adam Watson is a keen runner who prefers to run on his own in Jesmond, because of the flexibility it provides: 

 

“For me personally and I think the main reason why anyone would choose to run on their own is because I can choose everything to do with it. I can go on any route I choose to which is usually to and around either Town Moor or Jesmond Dene. The distance and time I run is also my choice obviously, so it fits around my day as I need it to.”

 

Watson is also aware of the negatives that can arise in independent running:

“The main thing I would say that you do get in a group is them motivation of other people around you. It is not so much an issue for me because I have done this for a while and I’m quite happy on my own with headphones on, but I would imagine as a new starter it is easier to get yourself in a group environment on your run, which are very accessible in Jesmond”

 

Having spent one Saturday morning, in the first week of January, walking around Town Moor and West Jesmond, I counted 57 different individuals running on their own as opposed to the 35 people seen on the following Sunday in the east side of Jesmond and Jesmond Dene. It is however worth considering both observations were carried out at a time where residents are likely to be motivated by their new year’s resolutions. This would suggest that Town Moor and West Jesmond are more popular locations due to their flatter terrain providing an easier run as opposed to the significantly more diverse hills of Jesmond Dene. However, it is worth considering that Town Moor was observed on a Saturday afternoon to avoid the popular park run that takes place in the morning, while the number of runners in east Jesmond and Jesmond Dene was accumulated in the morning, approximately 9am- 10am which could justify a lower number or runners.

 

 

Alternative to running independently in Jesmond, the Jesmond Dene Park run is a highly popular fun run in the local area designed to encourage all abilities to run the same 5-kilometre route every Saturday at 9am.

 

The route begins with an incline jog from the heart of Jesmond Dene followed by two laps of Paddy Freemans Park with a decline back to where you started. Event Director Ross Waterston says that the Jesmond Dene Park Run brings the community together in a way that is not done elsewhere:

“It brings people together, so park run is huge from a community cohesion perspective, we get people together from all areas of the community. I have said before, it is one of the times you see people you never would expect meeting and running together.”

 

“Running in a group, it helps support you and your running. So, when I used to run park run a lot more than I do now it always helped me reset so if I had a bad week and my personal running hadn’t been going so well, just the reset of doing a park run made a difference and that side of it.”

 

Analysing weekends alone, the Jesmond Dene Park Run is significantly more popular as a method of running. After 90 events, the run averages 151.2 finishers each week with from 5454 different participants since its beginning. Each participant completes the course an average 2.5 times at an average time of 29:02 minutes.

 

One unnamed participant said they prefer the Park Run over running on their own because of the structure it provides to their schedule:

“I’m not trying to win anything here so having a fixed routine is enough. I like having everything the same or as near as possible as it can be each week because it is the best way to compare myself and look at any progress but it good that even though you’re in a large group with a range of abilities, there is no judgment for what your goals are and you can remain motivated because there are guaranteed to be people of the same ability in your group so you can keep each other motivated”.

 

“I also enjoy the scenery of course that I wouldn’t get running through the houses I live around in south Jesmond. Jesmond Dene is a stunning place that we may as well take advantage of and there just so happens to be a community run that I can take advantage of. I also like to mix up what park run I do too. The one in Town Moor may not be as much of a visually appealing location, but the terrain is certainly easier and you mix with a different selection of the community which can be nice.

 

Ultimately running in the diverse facilities that Jesmond and its close surrounding areas have to offer, and the way in which each person does, is decided upon by that individuals schedule and how much control they wish to have on their efforts and participation. Running independently gives that person the freedom to run in any way they wish to and control their efforts to suit their specific ambitions the best. However, they could lack both the motivation and routine that comes with taking part in the Park Run where a group environment can support any ability, commitment, and end goal.