Local guide
Written with Martin
Martin has run Cyclopark between 6 and 20 times, so the course detail on this page is his. I've checked the practical bits against the official course page. Thank you, Martin.
The honest version
Cyclopark is a purpose-built cycling park on the edge of Gravesend, and the parkrun uses its smooth tarmac paths. Here's the bit most visitors don't know. The cycle path you are running on used to be the old A2, before the main road was moved to where it sits now.
That means wide, even tarmac the whole way, with no roots and no gravel. After rain, some sections can collect mud, leaves and puddles, so it isn't spotless. It also has the gradients of an old trunk road. Nothing steep, but long enough to notice, and you meet the climb twice. The second one is the last kilometre.
The route
Since October 2026 it's roughly one and a half laps of an out-and-back on route 177 of the National Cycle Network, all on tarmac. You head downhill first, come back up past the start to a turnaround in the car park, go all the way back down, then finish with a 1k climb. Here it is in Martin's words and photos, from his run on 31 October.
Got a target time? Get your splits for Cyclopark, adjusted for the new course.
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StartThe raised platform
The briefing and barcode scanning happen at the raised platform by the Cyclopark buildings. You line up on the red markings on the path below it, with the gates and planters behind you.
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DownPast the finish to the island
Straight off downhill on the old A2, past the finish. Smooth, wide and very easy to go off too fast.
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TurnKeep left to the new turnaround
Keep left at the island and carry on down to the new turnaround, marked with a chalk line on the path.
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UpBack up and through the planters
Climb back past the island, the finish and the start, then through the planters to the turnaround in the car park.
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FinishDown again, then the 1k climb
Back down past everything to the bottom turnaround. From there it's a 1k climb to the finish, which is on your left a few hundred yards before the start, marked out with cones and barriers. Scanning and token return are up the steps on the platform.
Elevation profile, down and back up twice
Course statistics
Average finish times, course records and full results on the parkrun website.
View on parkrun →Visiting Cyclopark parkrun for the weekend
Gravesend station is the nearest, and Ebbsfleet International, on the high-speed line from London St Pancras, is close by too.
If you're travelling in, here's what else is worth your time nearby:
- St George's Church in Gravesend has the statue of Pocahontas, who is buried there.
- The riverside and town pier are good for a walk along the Thames.
- Fancy another lap? Cyclopark itself has cycling trails, a skate park and a cafe on site.
Is it a PB course?
It depends, and that's an honest answer. The surface is about as good as parkrun gets: smooth, wide tarmac with nothing to trip on. If you handle hills well, or you're disciplined on the way down, it can be quick.
If you tend to fly down and then fade, the two climbs will find you out. Run the first descent at a pace you could hold uphill and you'll have more left for the final climb.
What to wear on your feet
Shoe recommendation by conditions
Road shoes. It's tarmac from start to finish.
Still road shoes. It's all tarmac, so trail shoes give you nothing extra. Watch for leaves, mud and puddles on some sections after rain.
If you're chasing a time, this is one of the few courses where your fast shoes make sense. Just remember the climbs.
Getting there and parking
Cyclopark is next to the A2 on the south side of Gravesend, postcode DA11 7NP. Take the A227 junction (Gravesend Central) and follow the signs. There is paid parking on site. Check the Cyclopark website for current prices, and arrive early as it can fill up.
The regulars' tip: park for free at Morrisons next door. Follow the car park round to the left of the building and you'll see a cut-through to the course and the start.
By bus, Arriva 306 and 308 stop at Tollgate on the A227 Wrotham Road. The nearest station is Gravesend, about 1.8 miles away. Ebbsfleet, Northfleet and Meopham are all under 3 miles.
Running with a dog
Dogs are welcome on the course, on a short handheld lead, but they aren't allowed inside the Cyclopark building. If you've parked on site with a dog, walk back towards the car park entrance and round to the start that way. You still have to pay for parking inside, so the event team suggests coming with someone who can hold the dog while you pay.
After the run
Toilets and changing rooms are inside Cyclopark, through reception. Post-run coffee is at Park Eat, the cafe inside Cyclopark. There's another cafe in Morrisons if you've parked there.
Buggies and pushchairs
Yes. It's wide tarmac throughout, so a running buggy is fine. Pushing it back up the hill twice is a proper workout, though.
The photos on this page are Martin's. If you run here too, send us yours and we'll add them with credit.
Send photos or tipsSaturdayOff verdict
Common questions
- How many laps is Cyclopark parkrun?
- About one and a half. Since October 2026 you run down to a turnaround past the island, back up past the start to a turnaround in the car park, then down to the bottom again and finish with a 1k climb.
- Is Cyclopark parkrun hilly?
- Gently, but it adds up. You climb back up the old A2 twice, and the second climb is the last kilometre to the finish.
- Where do I park for Cyclopark parkrun?
- There's paid parking on site. For free parking, use Morrisons next door: follow the car park round to the left of the building and you'll find a cut-through to the start.
- What shoes should I wear at Cyclopark parkrun?
- Road shoes. The whole course is smooth tarmac, so trail shoes add nothing even after rain.
- Can I bring a buggy to Cyclopark parkrun?
- Yes. It's wide tarmac all the way round. Be ready for the climb back up, twice.
Guide written with Martin, a runner with 6 to 20 runs at this event. Practical details checked against parkrun.org.uk. Last updated October 2026.