Dulwich, Pride running weekend - Dulwich parkrun #645 - 20/09/25

Dulwich library is an example of a Passmore Edwards library. Photo credit; https://x.com/SouthwarkLibs/status/1441028117640925190

As we got off the No. 40 bus on Lordship Lane, near the beautiful Dulwich Library, our friend Charles, who had been upstairs, also disembarked, much to the surprise and joy of my daughter. This is Charles’s second Southwark Slam, where he’s currently on track to set a personal best at each event!

Charles is a keen cyclist, parkrun tourist and regular volunteer at Kennington junior parkrun. Charles has a long-standing passion for environmental issues and the role of transport. He’s a regular contributor to the Get Sutton cycling newsletter and was previously the Sutton borough co-ordinator for the London Cycling Campaign. His parkrun write-ups on Strava are always worth reading, and many of this blog's fantastic pictures are taken by him 🙂

Will Charles secure at personal best at each part of the Southwark Slam this year?

We entered Dulwich Park through the magnificent Court Lane Gate entrance, an English Heritage listed building and walked across to the start area on the other side of the park. 

The impressive Court Lane Gate for Dulwich Park. Photo credit; https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101385453-court-lane-gate-to-dulwich-park-and-attached-railings-village-ward#google_vignette

Dulwich parkrun is the oldest of the parkruns in Southwark. Started in April 2012, it has grown from 161 to 614 participants, and today has triple the number of volunteers from when it began. The course is three flat anti-clockwise laps of the oval carriageway. It takes in the splendour of this Victorian park, designed by Charles Barry Jr., including the lake and Clockhouse cafe. This is a beautiful location for a parkrun and an ideal destination if you’re looking to set a personal best.

Today I wasn’t seeking a personal best, but it was the fastest buggy 5k I’ve done. I did look on enviously at other deluxe running buggies with huge wheels; there’s clearly scope to improve my buggy running game. 

After getting my barcode scanned and catching up with friends, we made our way across town to support my wife, who was running the annual Pride 10k in Victoria Park. Getting off the train at Hackney Wick was quite the contrast to being in Dulwich, illustrating the incredible diversity that is London. 

I'll see everyone back at Burgess parkrun for the end of the Southwark Slam 2025.

The Priderun 10k was its usual abundance of noise, celebration, and brightly clad runners. A huge congratulations to my wife for a hard-earned medal and for showing our daughter that women and girls can do anything they put their minds to. 

Congratulations Shveta on completing the Priderun 10k.

A huge thank you to all the volunteers at Dulwich parkrun and the Priderun 10k who make these events happen. Volunteering is something this country does incredibly well. 

Next weekend I’m back to Burgess parkrun for their anniversary event on the Saturday and then to conclude this year’s Southwark Slam at Burgess junior parkrun on the Sunday. It will be a weekend of celebration for all things parkrun, for old and young alike, whether walking or running, rain or shine.  

Stay well and happy running, walking or volunteering. 

www.nuhorizons.uk

You can read about how parkrun was created by the founder, Paul Sinton-Hewitt, a care leaver, in his book ‘One Small Step’ The Definitive Account of how a run become a Global Movement by clicking here