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The Course

The course is 5000m (5K) long and has been accurately measured by a UKA registered professional measurer. The makeup of the running surface is approx 90% tarmac. The start & finish is on the athletics track covering approx 450 metres. There are also very small sections on a trail and cobbles and on each circuit.

Please remember that Woodbank parkrun uses shared paths. For the continued success of the event, please give way to other park users. This won't hurt your time and it will make sure everyone continues to enjoy the event.

We recommend that all participants arrive for the run by foot or bicycle. (you can leave your bike safely at the track) We are trying to reduce our carbon footprint and any help you can provide in this regard is appreciated.

The start is a short walk from public transport routes.

If you do drive, there is a large car park on Turncroft Lane, approx 600 metres from the athletics track and a smaller one at the Woodbank park entrance, approx. 800 metres from the athletics track. You can jog into the park to warm up. There is no parking allowed within the park. There is plenty of room to congregate or to warm up at the track.

Please run only on the marked paths which have been chosen to minimise wear and tear on the park – no short cuts. The park requires that all racing finishes by 10.30am. By this time we must have removed signs and any runners remaining in the park become "regular visitors".

Course Safety

The Woodbank parkrun is a fun, free event organised by volunteers for the benefit of everyone. We wish to make the run as safe as possible, so runners, spectators and helpers are asked to take care about the following:

  • Please be considerate to the park and other park users at all times.
  • Please arrive by foot, by pedal-power or by public transport if you can - your efforts help to reduce our impact on the park and the planet.
  • Please consider volunteering to help occasionally - this event survives only because of your generosity - please vist the volunteer page for more information.
  • Take care near roads and car parks - some vehicles drive very quickly. Please congregate away from the cars and be careful in particular if you have children. If you’re driving to the run, please drive carefully even if you’re late!
  • When running, take care on uneven surfaces - whether on grass or on tarmac. Watch out for cyclists, other runners, pedestrians, children, deer, dogs, vehicles, park maintenance work, falling branches, bollards, posts and other obstacles around the course.
  • Runners with dogs are welcome, but please keep dogs on a short lead or harness and under control throughout the event.
  • Runners pushing buggies are also welcome, but please take extreme care of other runners around you. If possible start from the back of the field and try to keep to one side of the main body of runners.
  • Please make sure you’re fit enough to run 5k (3.1 miles) – if you’re in any doubt, please consult your doctor.
  • Remember to warm up before the run.
  • If you see a runner with a serious problem, please stop to help them out and get help as soon as possible.
  • If you’re watching, keep clear of runners on the course, and look after any children and dogs you may have with you.
  • This is a free training event, so all run and attend at their own risk.

We hope these tips help to ensure that Woodbank parkrun is fun and safe for everyone.

Age Grading

All parkrun events use Age Grading to help athletes compare results.

Age Grading takes your time and uses the world record time for your sex and age group to produce a score (a percentage). This score allows you to compare your personal performance against other people's performances even though they might be a different age and a different sex to you - the higher the score the better the performance. The scores can also be compared across different run distances - to allow you to, for example, compare a 5km time against a marathon.

For more information, please see the Running For Fitness website.

More Information

Web links to the park(s) can be found on the Stockport Parks website.

We've tried to present a complete guide to the event here on these pages. If there is any more information you would like then please email woodbankDirector@parkrun.com - we'll get back to you with an answer!

Course Map


View Woodbank parkrun in a larger map

Course Description

The run starts with just over 400 metres on the Stockport Harriers athletic track, before heading out onto the tarmac paths of Woodbank Park. Follow the volunteer's directions or arrows along the paths.

The course follows the paths in the wide open spaces through Woodbank Park before entering neighbouring Vernon Park; here the paths are narrower and more enclosed. To enter Vernon Park there is a short section of trail, marked by a tree sculpture. Be careful here as there may be mud if the weather is inclement and there are some tree roots on this path.

Go through the gate and clockwise around the enclosed garden area, before a steep descent down the path with the museum on your left. The park has many interlacing paths, but the route will be clearly marked and marshalled. There is a tight left turn at the bottom of the hill before the path levels out as it goes towards the sharp left turn at the furthest point in the park. An incline takes you under the bridge and past the Bowling Greens to your right, here the path is cobbled for about 10 metres.

The route now takes you out of the main gate of Vernon Park and through Woodbank’s main gate back into the Park. Be careful on this short stretch as the road runs parallel with the route and there is a car park entrance. Marshals will always be stationed here for runners' safety.

As you follow the route, the path splits here and you need to take the right hand fork; this is marked with cones. This path winds its way back towards the track. Carry on past the path that goes towards the track and instead complete a second circuit. After you've completed the loop for the second time you need to turn right towards the track and back into the stadium.

As you enter the track turn left where there is a short straight to the finish.

If you decide to run one lap please do not run onto the track and through the finish.

Getting There

Woodbank Park is situated very close to Stockport town centre (postcode SK1 4JR). The start area is on the track within the Woodbank Park grounds. It can be easily seen once you are in the park.

Think green! If you are local please jog / walk / cycle to the park. It is also the best way to warm up and get in the mood. You can use either of the pedestrian entry points to the park (marked with red blobs on the map).

Public Transport

Stockport is the closest railway station and is serviced from Manchester or the south & east. (www.nationalrail.co.uk). The closest bus services are on Offerton Road. There is also transport links from Hyde with bustops at the far end of Vernon Park and on Marple Road. (330, 364, 380, 381, 382, 383, 384, 386) (www.gmpte.com).

Driving

There is a large free car park accessible from Turncroft Lane and a smaller one at the Woodbank park entrance. Both are a short walk to the start from here.

From junction 27 on the M60 proceed up the A626 (St Mary’s Way). Go through one set of lights & up the hill, turning left at the next set of lights into Hall Street (West Way Nissan Garage, on the right). A petrol station will be on the left, immediately after it, turn left into Turncroft Lane. Follow the road towards the park entrance where the smaller car park can be found, and the larger car park is on your left about 400mtrs further on. If driving from Marple, follow the A626 along Offerton Rd and look for the signs for Woodbank Park. Alternatively drive up the A6 from the east and turn right into Dialstone Lane when you come up to the turn off for Stepping Hill hospital and follow the signs for Woodbank Park.

Please consider the environment and don’t drive long distances for short races.