Wherever you are in the UK – and, indeed, in many places across the world – there's a good chance that there's a Parkrun near you, the Saturday morning 5k run that's open to everyone, whatever their ability. But not all Parkruns are born equal, with some offering distinctly more challenging courses than others.
So if you're looking to nail a 5k PB, it pays to choose your Parkrun wisely. From Dulwich to Denmark, these rapid routes could make all the difference in helping you to knock precious seconds off your Parkrun record. Three, two, one… go!
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Fastest Parkruns in the UK
Belfast Victoria, Northern Ireland
If you're serious about achieving that Parkrun PB then a trip to Belfast might well be in order. This is the course on which both the current female and male records were set: Ciara Mageean clocked 15:13 here in December 2023, while Nick Griggs completed the run in 13:44 in November 2024.
You don't need to be in a similarly elite category though to reap the benefits of this flat three-lap course around Victoria Park's lake. There's a short section across grass but otherwise this is all on smooth and speedy asphalt.
Swansea Bay, Wales
This out-and-back course is run entirely on tarmac paths and is almost completely straight (save for the short loop you have to run around to double-back along the path). It can get congested at the start but soon opens out on to a scenic route towards the Mumbles.
And being on the seafront means the total elevation gain over the entire course is a nominal 6m. All of which surely helped local runner Dewi Griffiths set a course record of 14:10 in December 2023.
Dulwich, England
There's no shortage of Parkruns in the capital but this is one of very fastest. It takes place in south London's Dulwich Park, which was created in 1890 from former farmland and meadows – many of the ancient boundary oaks still survive. The wide, smooth course comprises just under three laps of the park's main carriageway.
The course record – a brisk 13:57 – was set in December 2018 by Olympic triathlete Alex Yee. To help you set a PB of your own, the course has pacers on the second Saturday of the month.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh, like Rome, is traditionally said to have been built on seven hills. Fortunately, its Parkrun manages to avoid them completely and is instead set on the reassuringly flat (and generally wide) promenade that runs next to the beaches of Cramond and Silverknowes, about 8km from the city centre.
The route also affords beautiful views across the Firth of Forth, which – if you're digging deep to achieve that PB – might help take your mind off things. Olympic runner Andy Butchart ran the course in a peppy 13:45 in June 2023, breaking the previous Parkrun world record, which had stood for 11 years.
York, England
Run on a tarmac service road around the inside of York Racecourse (just watch out for the sporadic piles of sand), this is flat and has few turns, making it a particularly rapid route.
It's a popular course and gets crowded at the start so, depending on what sort of pace you're aiming for, it can be worth making sure you've got a spot near the front. The pacers and kilometre markers should also help keep you on track for that record time.
Y Promenâd, Wales
Located in Brecon and following the River Usk for much of its route, this scenic two-lap course is set on a combination of permanent paths and grass – ideal if you like to run with something slightly softer underfoot (although it's best to wear trail shoes if it's been raining).
There is a gentle incline at the end of each lap but otherwise this is a pleasingly flat course. And for anyone aiming to complete an A to Z of Parkruns, either this or the York course are great options for ticking off 'Y'.
Fastest Parkruns in the world
Amager Strandpark, Denmark
If you're looking for a fast but friendly event that's not too busy, this Copenhagen Parkrun is just the ticket, with a field that's usually made up of well under 100 runners. The quirky route entails running two laps around a lagoon, the first anti-clockwise and the second clockwise.
The course is largely flat (save for a handful of bridges) so is perfect for a pacy 5k. And to help keep you inspired, the whole run offers stunning views across the water towards Sweden.
Hagley, New Zealand
Run on predominantly paved paths in the beautiful North Hagley Park in Christchurch (part of the route takes place under a canopy of oak trees), this unusual figure-of-eight course is New Zealand's most popular Parkrun.
With wide, well-marked paths, clear kilometre markers and plenty of volunteers on hand, this is an almost ideal set-up for a PB attempt. Indeed, the winning time can often dip below 16 minutes, which gives you some indication of just how zippy the course is.
Kashiwanoha, Japan
Located in Kashiwa, a city about 35km north-east of Tokyo, this course consists of three laps around the elegant Kashiwanoha Park on a fast and flat paved track.
With well under 100 runners at most events, you won't need to worry about weaving around other participants – giving you all the more chance to admire the tranquil duck pond and rose garden. It was the second Parkrun to be launched in Japan and the first in the country to reach 100 events.
Richmond Olympic, Canada
If you're after some serious PB inspiration, what could be better than a Parkrun with 'Olympic' in its name? Set on a picturesque riverside footpath with mountain views in Richmond, British Columbia (about 14km south of Vancouver), this is a speedy out-and-back route on predominantly paved, level surfaces, with just one turn at the 2.5km mark.
And, as its monicker suggests, it takes you past Richmond Olympic Oval, one of the venues for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Turns out it's not too late to become an Olympic runner after all.
Main image credit: Getty
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