Is Lancaster parkrun good for a PB?

Not really. The course is genuinely hilly, with three distinct climbs on each of the two laps. It is a tough, undulating route through Williamson Park rather than a fast one. Come here for the challenge and the views, not a personal best.

What terrain is Lancaster parkrun?

Mainly tarmac paths with some smaller sections of path and trail. The course is entirely within Williamson Park, running past the Ashton Memorial and a duck pond.

Where do I park for Lancaster parkrun?

There are a couple of pay and display car parks around Williamson Park, as well as on-street parking. Be mindful of residents and any local parking restrictions.

Is there a duck pond on the Lancaster parkrun course?

Yes. The course passes a small duck pond within Williamson Park. Take care around the cobbled edge near the pond, which can be slippery underfoot.

Lancaster parkrun Course Guide: Hills, Hills and More Hills

Q: How hilly is Lancaster parkrun?

Very. Each of the two laps includes three separate climbs: down a hill, round a bit, up a hill, flat, then down, round, flat and up another hill, followed by a third. The event itself has described its course as brutal.

The honest version

Even the event itself has described its course as brutal, and it is not wrong. Lancaster parkrun is a genuinely hilly, undulating two laps through Williamson Park, past the striking Ashton Memorial and a small duck pond. If you love hills, this is very much your course. If you do not, it will test you regardless.

Runner Cheryl Leadbeater, visiting as part of a parkrun tourism trip, summed it up best: down a hill, round a bit, up a hill, flat, then down, round, flat, and up another hill, which takes your breath a little, before levelling out and repeating the whole thing again on lap two.

Three hills, twice. Each lap includes three separate climbs. It is a lot in a 5km course, and the second lap arrives with your legs already knowing what is coming.

The route

Two laps of an undulating route through Williamson Park, run mainly on tarmac paths with some smaller sections of trail. The course passes the Ashton Memorial and a duck pond, with genuinely scenic views if you have anything left in the tank to appreciate them.

Start

Near the Ashton Memorial
The pre-run brief happens at the steps of the memorial. The start itself is wide enough for several runners side by side, but if you are fast, get near the front as the first stretch can get congested.
Each lap

Down, round, up, three times
Every lap follows the same undulating pattern: downhill, around a bend, uphill, a flat stretch, then repeat twice more. Three climbs per lap, six in total across the full course.
Duck pond

Watch the cobbles
The route passes a small duck pond within the park. Take care near the cobbled edge, which can be slippery, and stay off it unless you fancy an unplanned swim.
Finish

Past the Ashton Memorial, again
The final stretch takes you past the memorial once more before the finish. By this point you have earned the view.

Course statistics

Average finish times, course records and full results on the parkrun website.

View on parkrun →

The duck pond at Williamson Park on the Lancaster parkrun course, with ducks on the water and a cobbled path edge

The duck pond along the route. Mind the cobbles at the edge.

What to wear on your feet

Shoe recommendation by conditions

Dry

Road shoes with a bit of grip serve well here. Most of the course is tarmac, but with six hills across the two laps you want something comfortable for sustained effort rather than a pure speed shoe.

Wet

A road-to-trail shoe is a sensible choice. The smaller sections of path can get slippery in wet weather, and the hills are harder work with less grip underfoot.

Getting there and parking

The event takes place at the Ashton Memorial, Williamson Park, Quernmore Road, Lancaster, LA1 1UX. There are a couple of pay and display car parks around the park, as well as on-street parking. Be mindful of residents and any local restrictions when parking on the street.

A wooded section of path on the Lancaster parkrun course through Williamson Park

One of the wooded sections of the course, part of the smaller trail path stretches.

After the run

Toilets are available near the start for those who need them. The regular post-run coffee spot is The Pavilion Café, Williamson Park, where the volunteers and much of the field gather afterwards.

Is it good for a PB?

No. This is one of the harder courses out there, with six climbs across two laps and very little flat running to recover on. Come here for the scenery, the enthusiastic marshals, and the sense of achievement afterwards, not a fast time.

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SaturdayOff verdict

Terrain

Tarmac with some path

Elevation

Hilly, three climbs a lap

Difficulty

Brutal

PB potential

Low

Suitable for beginners

Possible but very hilly

Dogs welcome

Check with event team

Pushchair friendly

Not recommended, hilly throughout

Toilets

Near the start

Common questions

Is Lancaster parkrun good for a PB?: Not really. The course is genuinely hilly, with three distinct climbs on each of the two laps. Come here for the challenge and the views, not a personal best.
What terrain is Lancaster parkrun?: Mainly tarmac paths with some smaller sections of path. The course runs entirely within Williamson Park, past the Ashton Memorial and a duck pond.
Where do I park for Lancaster parkrun?: A couple of pay and display car parks around Williamson Park, plus on-street parking. Be mindful of residents and local restrictions.
How hilly is Lancaster parkrun?: Very. Each lap includes three separate climbs. The event itself has described its course as brutal.
Is there a duck pond on the course?: Yes. The route passes a small duck pond within Williamson Park. Take care around the cobbled edge, which can be slippery.

Guide submitted by Cheryl Leadbeater. Verified against parkrun.org.uk. Last updated August 2026.