Bath Odd down junior parkrun

Weekly, free, 2km for children aged 4 to 14 years old
A weekly and free 2km run for children aged 4 to 14 years old. Organised by volunteers and held at Odd down cycle circuit.

12 GoodGymers have supported Bath Odd down junior parkrun with 11 tasks.


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Upcoming sessions
Help cheer and marshal the Odd down junior parkrun

Sunday 31st March 2024 8:40am - 9:40am


Previous sessions
BathGroup run
Helen ConnerMary CaudleRuthMikeRichardTanya Lock

Hi-fives all round - GoodGym gives Junior Parkrun a helping hand

Sunday 3rd September 2023

Written by Ruth

Fluorescent vest, check. Whistle (in case of disaster), check. Laminated instructions, check. Giant foam hand, check. Bubbles, optional. Enthusiasm, bucketloads.

Yes, GoodGym was back at the Odd Down Cycle Circuit helping out at the weekly junior parkrun for children aged four to 14.

The six of us had a special task of leading the warm-up for those taking part and their parents. And no matter how high the team jumped, kicked or bent in strange directions, the audience followed with gusto.

The sun also did its bit at warming us up, which was a welcome change.

Then, armed with our foam hands, we took our positions on the course, ready to hi-five the pint-sized athletes as they aimed to run the 2km the fastest possible.

"Great job", "Fabulous", "Brilliant", "Fantastic!", "You're amazing!", "Yayyyy!". Just some of the encouragement we gave to the parkrunners (and occasional parent) as they passed by. We meant every word. It's fantastic to see these young people show up on a Sunday morning and give their all.

You can see their sense of achievement on their faces.

69 children completed the course - that was a lot of GoodGym hi-fives.

The fastest did it in 8.05 minutes - though it is clear that everyone is a winner in the fun and friendly atmosphere.

Hi-fives also to the GoodGym team who ran to and from the sports ground - quite a challenge in itself.

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BathGroup run
Helen ConnerRichardRuthMary Caudle

Egging on the mini parkrunners on Easter Sunday

Sunday 9th April 2023

Written by Ruth

While most children woke up on Easter morning wondering what chocolate egg they might be getting, more than 20 young athletes were thinking about beating their personal best.

The Junior parkrun is held on Odd Down cycle track at 9 o’clock on Sunday mornings and sees runners take to a 2km route with - or without - their parents running alongside.

This week GoodGym Bath were invited to act as marshals and “egg” the children along the course.

To warm up, GoodGymmers Richard, Mary, Ruth and Helen met at the Bear on Bear Flat and ran up the hill to the sports ground. Well, Mary and Helen ran up the hill and back again while Richard kept Ruth company in the slow lane. He made up for this after the task by running off into the distance as part of his training while Ruth promised to cut back on the chocolate.

Up on the Down we donned reflective vests and whistles and spaced out along the route ready to cheer the participants along. Fortunately whistles were not required but lots of clapping was. It is a joy to help at an event which encourages children to be active. Everyone was out to simply be the best runner they can be.

Ruth donned an Easter bonnet for the occasion but no one else got the memo - although a family took part in the run in bunny ears. They may have got a little nervous to see the tail runner disguised as a fox but luckily everyone survived.

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BathGroup run
Meyrick WilliamsMary CaudleAndyJer BoonRuthCosmo Born

Up, up and parkrun...

Sunday 12th February 2023

Written by Helen Conner (she/her)

We met outside a pub at 0815 on a Sunday morning. To the casual observer we might have looked a little keen for a tipple. But alas, we were actually gearing up for a run up a steep 1 mile hill to Odd Down junior parkrun instead.

Meyrick our run leader talked through the introductions and we were off. The faster of us, looped back to sweep the back in the aim to keep us together. But to be fair, walking was probably as fast as running in this case as the hill was super steep.

Up and up we went, until eventually we reached a plateau and the sign for Odd down cycle circuit was in touch. We arrived warm! and ready for our marshal briefing. 7 of us reported into duty so we could double up at marshal points and create more cheer for the children. 34 children took part with many parents accompanying. The fastest completed the 2km course in an ultra impressive time of 6 minutes 57 seconds. We assumed our positions until the tail walker swept us up and walked us back to the start.

And now, the fun part. The group ran back down the steep hill back to the pub!

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BathCommunity mission
Helen ConnerMary CaudleMeyrick WilliamsRichardJer Boon

Who run the world? Children

Sunday 14th November 2021

Written by Helen Conner (she/her)

5 Goodgymers met at 0830 on Sunday morning for the weekly children's parkrun at Odd down cycle circuit.

Mary donned a marshal bib with a special furry attachment. Swinging behind her was a pretend animal tail for her special role as tail walker. Her role was to ensure she was at the back to ensure no child get left behind on the course.

Helen started the app on her mobile ready to time the children. Whilst Jer, Richard and Meyrick went out onto the course to marshal the route. They directed and cheered on the little ones around the course.

54 children took part in the parkrun, all ages between 4 and 14.

By 0930 we were finished! There were so many happy smiling faces after the run, both with the team and the children. There's nothing quite like a bit of fun early on a Sunday morning to help you to feel great about the day ahead

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BathCommunity mission
Helen ConnerMeyrick WilliamsAaron CarringtonMary CaudleRichard

Heat and Greet

Sunday 18th July 2021

Written by Helen Conner (she/her)

Wow, that was scorchio!

We met up at Odd down cycle circuit to receive our briefing from the Run Director. We wore hi-viz and were directed to our marshal positions out on the course.

Mary, Aaron, Meyrick and Richard formed part of the cheer squad to help direct the children and cheer them around the course.

Helen was a timekeeper. She used her mobile to time the children over the line.

33 children took and some parents. There were lots of happy faces at the end and some personal bests!

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BathCommunity mission
Helen ConnerMary CaudleMeyrick WilliamsRuthEmily MeddRichard

Marshalling fun at Odd down junior parkrun

Sunday 30th May 2021

Written by Helen Conner (she/her)

A beautiful sunny Sunday morning on a Bank Holiday weekend, 6 Goodgymers met at Odd down cycle circuit. We met the parkrun core team, donned our hi-vis and were given instructions as to where our marshal posts were.

We moved to our marshal positions around 0850 and waiting for the parkrun to start. 4-10 year old children and their parents lined the start line and were set off at 0900. The run began and as each children passed our Goodgym marshals we gave them lots of cheers and waves. The children ran 2km in total and did really well.

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