Is Vale Park parkrun suitable for beginners?

Yes. Vale Park is a very beginner-friendly course. The hills are gradual rather than steep, the loops are clearly marked, and the surface is mostly firm grass and gravel. It is a good choice for your first parkrun or your first attempt at running on more varied terrain.

What shoes should I wear at Vale Park parkrun?

Trail shoes are recommended even in dry conditions. The section near the trees after the u-turn can be boggy regardless of the weather. Road shoes are only worth considering after a prolonged dry spell. Carbon-plated race shoes are not recommended.

Where do I park for Vale Park parkrun?

Parking is at the Synectics Solutions car park, postcode ST6 1AW. There is plenty of space. Arrive by 8.45am for the 9am start.

Is Vale Park parkrun good for a PB?

Probably not. With 74 metres of elevation across three loops and a predominantly grass surface, Vale Park is not a flat fast course. The hills are gradual rather than brutal but you will notice them. Come here to enjoy the park and build your fitness, not to chase a time.

When did Vale Park parkrun start?

Vale Park parkrun held its inaugural event on 11 July 2026. It is one of the newest parkrun courses in Stoke-on-Trent and is run from the grounds adjacent to Port Vale FC's stadium.

Vale Park parkrun, Burslem: Course Guide, Parking and What to Expect

The honest version

Vale Park parkrun is brand new, launching its first event on 11 July 2026. It sits alongside Port Vale FC's stadium in Burslem, using the open green space that surrounds the ground. It is a three-loop course on mainly grass and gravel with 74 metres of elevation spread across gradual, rolling climbs. Nothing sharp, nothing brutal, but you will feel the hills.

I ran the test event on 27 June 2026 and came away with a good feeling about it. This is a proper community parkrun in the making. The atmosphere even at a small test run was warm, the course is well signed, and the setting is genuinely interesting if you like football as much as you like running. You literally run past the away fans entrance.

The gravel path heading away from the start at Vale Park parkrun with runners in the distance — The start area next to The Vale Store. Port Vale FC's ground is right there.

The route

The start and finish is opposite the club shop at Vale Park, Hamil Road, ST6 1AW. Parking is at Synectics Solutions nearby. From the start the course heads out alongside the stadium perimeter on a tarmac and compacted gravel path before opening out into Sproson Park.

Start

Opposite the club shop, Hamil Road, ST6 1AW
The start is adjacent to the Vale Park club shop. Parking is at the Synectics Solutions car park nearby. Arrive a few minutes early as this is a new event.
Km 0 to 1

Stadium perimeter on gravel and tarmac
The opening section takes you along the outside of the ground on a mix of tarmac path and compacted gravel. You pass the away fans entrance. The path is narrow in places, so give other runners room in the first kilometre.
Km 1 to 3

Into the park on grass, three loops
The course opens up into Sproson Park, the green space surrounding the ground. This is mostly mown grass with some longer wildflower meadow sections either side. The route forms three loops with a short out-and-back section on each. Gradual climbs and descents throughout, never steep.
Km 3 to 5

Final loops and return to finish
The third loop brings you back around towards the stadium end. The finish is back in the car park area where you started. The final stretch back on the gravel path feels earned after the grassland loops.

Mown grass path through the open parkland at Vale Park parkrun — The open grassland sections dominate most of the course. Good conditions underfoot in dry weather.

Elevation profile: 74m total gain across three loops

Course statistics

Average finish times, course records and full results will be available on the parkrun website from 11 July 2026.

View on parkrun →

Narrow gravel path along the stadium perimeter at Vale Park parkrun — The gravel path running along the stadium perimeter. Narrow in places, so give runners some room early on.

What to wear on your feet

Shoe recommendation by conditions

Dry

Trail shoes are the safer bet even in dry conditions. The section near the trees after the u-turn can be boggy and will give you wet feet in road shoes, even when everything else feels firm. A light trail shoe covers you throughout.

Wet

Trail shoes essential. The open grassland sections get slippery after rain and the boggy patch near the trees gets significantly worse. Road shoes will leave you with soaked feet by kilometre two.

Avoid

Carbon-plated race shoes. The grass and gravel surfaces negate any performance benefit and the uneven ground increases your injury risk. Road shoes are only worth considering after a prolonged dry spell. Save the supershoes for a flat tarmac course.

Getting there and parking

Parking is at Synectics Solutions on Hamil Road, ST6 1AW. There is plenty of space. The start is a short walk from the car park. Follow the signs for the club shop. Arrive by 8.45am.

By bus: the 36/36a and 39/39a services stop at Burslem town centre, then it is a short walk up Moorland Road and left on Hamil Road. The 98 bus stops at Burslem Park from where you can walk through the park to the start.

Wildflower meadow section of the Vale Park parkrun course — The meadow sections alongside the mown path add some character. Watch your footing if the ground is soft.

Is it a good PB course?

Probably not. The 74 metres of elevation is spread across three loops of gradual climbing and descending. Nothing will stop you in your tracks but the hills are consistent enough that you will find it hard to sustain a flat-out pace throughout. The grass surface also slows you down compared to tarmac.

That said, as the course beds in and runners learn the route, faster times will come. If you are a hill runner or someone who regularly trains on grass, you may find this suits you better than it does a road runner chasing a PB.

After the run

The official post-run meetup is at Tommy Cheadle's, which is located within the parkrun venue. The Pavilion Cafe in Burslem Park opposite is also worth a visit. Regulars rate the vegan sausage bap and oat lattes.

Beginners and families

This is a good beginner choice. The hills are gradual, the three-loop format means you always know where you are on the course, and the proximity to the football ground gives it a recognisable landmark to navigate by. Families should be fine on the wider sections, though a running buggy will struggle on the narrower gravel paths and the grassland if it has been wet.

SaturdayOff verdict

Terrain

Grass, gravel and tarmac

Elevation

74m, gradual rolling

Difficulty

Moderate

PB potential

Unlikely

Suitable for beginners

Yes

Dogs welcome

Yes, short lead

Pushchair friendly

Dry conditions only

Post-run cafe

Tommy Cheadle's (on site)

Common questions

Is Vale Park parkrun suitable for beginners?: Yes. The hills are gradual rather than steep, the three-loop format is easy to follow, and the surface is firm and runnable in dry weather. It is a good first parkrun choice.
What shoes should I wear at Vale Park parkrun?: Trail shoes are recommended even in dry conditions. The section near the trees after the u-turn can be boggy and will give you wet feet in road shoes regardless of the weather. Road shoes are only worth considering after a prolonged dry spell. Avoid carbon-plated race shoes entirely.
Where do I park for Vale Park parkrun?: Parking is at the Synectics Solutions car park, postcode ST6 1AW. There is plenty of space. Arrive by 8.45am for the 9am start.
Is Vale Park parkrun good for a PB?: Probably not. With 74 metres of elevation and a grass surface across most of the course, it is not a flat fast route. Come here to enjoy the park and build your fitness rather than to chase a time.
When did Vale Park parkrun start?: Vale Park parkrun held its inaugural event on 11 July 2026. It is one of the newest parkruns in Stoke-on-Trent.

Guide written by Azeem Ahmad based on the test event run on 27 June 2026. Last updated July 2026.