The magic of volcanoes and the magic of trees! - Burgess parkrun #564 - 10/05/25

By the great tree by the finish funnel with Shona Catherine one of our Run Directors.

Doing the first-timers welcome means I’m often approached by tourists at the end, sharing how they’ve found our event. Its always great to hear about their experience and provides the opportunity to ask them for their recommendations of events to visit. There are currently 1,327 parkruns in the UK alone many in stunning locations so getting a personal recommendation from visiting tourists is always helpful.

This week, I found myself speaking to Emma Marsden, a member of a Jog on Crew who was touring. Emma is a seasoned tourist who has completed 119 parkruns, attending 70 different events. Emma recommended Holyrood parkrun in Edinburgh, Scotland. She described how it takes place in Holyrood Park and is overlooked by Arthur's Seat, an ancient volcano! Etna parkrun in Italy was already on my radar and now the seeds have been sown to create a personal Volcanic parkrun challenge 🙂

Emma, with the cow cow buff, has been to 70 different events and Yola who has completed 204 parkruns at Alberts Farm parkrun in South Africa.

Alongside volcanoes, one of the sights that can elevate a parkrun event is the trees. Here at Burgess parkrun , we have many trees that soften the urban landscape. We have a beautiful tree at our finish funnel, which becomes a focal point for bags and other paraphernalia when participants are running. This tree is a silent witness to our event; it’s seen all the finishers, the pushes to the line. It observes the relief and silent achievements of everyone who enters the finish funnel with their 5k completed. 

The tree by the finish funnel at Burgess parkrun. What type of tree is it?

Previously I was gifted the book Meetings with Remarkable Trees by Thomas Pakenham which really fashioned my love of trees and all the magic they can bring. Therefore you can imagine my shock and sadness at the felling of the iconic Sycamore Gap Tree which was located beneath the dramatic crags of Northumberland’s Hadrian’s Wall. This solitary tree became much more than just a striking natural feature; it symbolised resilience, timeless beauty, and the profound connection between nature and culture.

The Sycamore Gap tree, tragically has been cut down. Photo credit; https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/56/Sycamore_Gap_Tree.jpg

With the Sycamore Gap tree sadly taken from us, I’m reminded to fully appreciate that nature’s treasures are not infinite. I am encouraged when doing parkruns to not just look at my watch or the coat tails of those in front of me, but to look up and enjoy the natural surroundings. However, parkrun events provide us with the opportunity to connect with nature in this same way every Saturday. Parkrun tourism can take us to places of natural heritage or help us appreciate the splendour in our local events, which we might otherwise take for granted. 

The loss of the Sycamore Gap tree is a stark reminder of how fragile our environment can be and a reminder that we can’t take the magnificence and teachings of nature for granted. With parkrun bringing tourists to different parks across the UK, this could encourage us to safeguard the natural wonders so that they remain accessible and enduring. 

I’m encouraged to seek out these sights, to drink in these views. From volcanoes to incredible trees and all the other natural wonders that parkrun tourism brings. 

Great trees are everywhere in Burgess Park, softening the urban landscape.

Amazing trees can be found in London outside of parks too. The book London's Street Trees: A Field Guide to the Urban Forest is a great companion. 

Stay safe, happy running or walking and happy volunteering.

www.nuhorizons.uk