Hidden rivers and hidden heroes - Peckham Rye parkrun #579 - 12/09/26
Peckham Rye parkrun is nestled within 113 acres of Peckham Common. It is the youngest of the 4 parkruns in Southwark (not including junior events). This was my 23rd visit, making it my second most attended parkrun. As I walked to the start via the curved climbing path at the top of the common, when you look down, you’re treated to a stunning tree-canopied horizon. The formation of the Friends of Peckham Rye Park in 1995 and a successful application to the Heritage Lottery Fund resulted in the Park being issued with a Green Flag Award in 2007 and it has retained this status every year since. In my opinion, this is truly one of the hidden gems in the London pantheon of events.
Last year I read There are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak, an absorbing and enchanting tale about three characters living along two great rivers, all connected by a single drop of water. One of these hidden rivers is the Walbrook, a hidden river that flows through the city of London. This captured my fascination in hidden rivers of London and led me to learn that there is one right here in Peckham Rye called the River Peck!
At the start we met Andrew, today’s Run Director AND Pre-event Stepup, Token Sorting, Event Day Course Check, Results Processor and Post-event Close Down. Andrew is a hidden hero, the kind of person who enables parkrun to go ahead every week, he’s also the founder of London Beer Runners!
With everyone assembled and the First Timers Welcome done which was done by Jonathan a tourist, Andrew gave the Run Director’s announcements, extending a warm welcome to all of 437 participants and a special shout-out to the Southwark Slammers gathered.
I didn’t hear the countdown but felt the pack moving forward. It is an anti-clockwise, three-lap course with 37m of elevation, most of which comes in the final 800 of each lap. The course starts with a gentle downhill, takes a right up to the adventure playground, and then enters the park proper. The route takes you over 2 lovely bridges, alongside a pond, a bowling green, and passing the Japanese Garden, which has a water garden and an arched stone bridge. You can see streams from the old River Peck, which once flowed freely across the Rye. All of this is magical.
Today’s tail walker was Mark Judge, another hidden hero. Mark was doing Tail Walking for the 185th time, which is part of his 334 volunteer credits to date. I’ve previously walked with him, and he’s a great source of local knowledge.
I put in a big push coming up the hill for the final time before racing to the finish funnel. Out of breath, I was given my token by my friend's 17-year-old. My friend had run; her daughter had volunteered. Both were able to enjoy the same event in their own way.
Today’s first female finisher was Amanda Maserati
Today’s first male finisher was James Blackwood
A huge thank you to the 19-strong volunteer team, especially the marshals on the course, as there are quite a few twists and turns.
I cheered in all the Southwark Slammers. I thanked Andrew and then headed to 'The Round', also known as the Peckham Cafe in the park. With views over the common and iconic London skyline in front of you, it’s a destination for park and non-park users alike. And inside, I stumbled across George, the presenter of the popular YouTube channel Principles Personal Finance. With the pension industry and state pension going through considerable change, his channel has been a helpful beacon of information as I plot my own journey to a sustainable retirement. George’s work is so important; another hidden hero in our midst.
Next week I’ll be travelling to the oldest parkrun in Southwark, Dulwich parkrun, for the third instalment of the Southwark Slam. Again I’m looking forward to seeing lots of familiar faces and other ‘Slammers’.
Happy running, walking, or volunteering.
You can learn more about The Peckham Society by clicking here
You can read more about London Beer Runners by clicking here
How parkrun began
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 became a Global Movement by clicking here.
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