Pints & Parkuns: Prudhoe Riverside

Parkrun really is a community for everyone. Check out Prudhoe Riverside and, more specifically, Haydn’s Disco Spot. Named after the most popular volunteer on the route, and audible well in advance thanks to some pumping sounds, it’s a tribute to a resilient family and the way in which the event really isn’t all about running.

Haydn, now in his early 20s, has lived with a rare disorder all his life. Despite limited mobility, he’s found his place at parkrun and beyond (other achievements include tackling the 2021 Great North Run with dad Richard, pushed around the half-marathon course in a specially-designed lightweight buggy).

The disco spot is one of Prudhoe’s distinctive features, but it’s by no means the sole attraction. Despite the name, one thing you won’t see much of is the River Tyne. It’s visible, but usually in fleeting glimpses across wildflower meadow or through the trees on a two-lap course. What you’ll notice rather more are some twisty country paths – trail shoes worth consideration here, since there are more than a few rogue tree trunks to trip the unwary. In places the paths can get a bit narrow, so it’s worth trying to get a place at the start line that matches your likely pace.

Despite the rustic feel, the paths are not cutting through ancient woodland. The course loops around the Spetchells, a dumping ground for chalk deposits left over by a nearby chemical works. There’s even a hint of a white cliff near the end of each lap – happily not something we have to run up. During the war this area was a hive of munitions manufacture; today it’s a peaceful mix of woods and grassland popular with bees and butterflies. Not for the first time, a northeast parkrun indirectly highlights how fast nature returns when industry retreats.

Today, it makes for a great place to run. The route follows clockwise around the chalk, climbing steadily, but not too painfully. Even on the second lap there’s not too much to fear, and Strava gave an overall climb of 20m for the whole run. Much of the course is pleasantly shaded by the trees, so even on the sunniest of summer days it’s still a fairly comfortable place to run. And there’s a lovely steep descent at the end of each lap, setting you up nicely for a flying finish.

Practicalities: the run is close to the railway and bus station for easy access from Newcastle and the Tyne Valley. There’s also ample free parking on site at the Prudhoe Riverside Park. A café next to that carpark is ideal for a quick breakfast afterwards.

First visit: July 2022; PB: 25:52

The pint

The Thirsty Moose brewery in nearby Blaydon has a slightly different back story. Based on Tyneside, but brewed by a family with Canadian heritage, it claims to combine the beer traditions of two sides of the Atlantic. The signature brew, the Canny Canuck, is a take on the classic brown ale with accents from the much-vaunted Canadian craft scene. Others on the list take a no-nonsense approach to traditional styles: Nowt but Stout is an old-school oatmeal stout, stripped of modern gimmicks. As a brand, it might not entirely deliver on its promise with every brew, but it’s a decent addition to the local beer scene. In Prudhoe itself, that scene tends to revolve around Wor Local, a micropub in the town that specialises in local breweries. However, it doesn't open until 4pm so is probably only of use to visitors arriving on Friday evening ahead of their parkrun.

Thanks for reading. For more pints and parkruns, please check out my website.