parkrun league & cup

'Parkrun league' and 'parkrun cup' return from May-October 2025 with a different parkrun each month and then a ‘wildcard’ on Sat 4th October open to those who have volunteered twice in this period in none-running roles. 

New for 2025 will age graded league (in addition to the standard parkrun league).

Also the method in which runners may get moved to a different league has changed from previous years.

Great! Though what is ‘parkrun league’?

STAC members (1st, 2nd claim & club only) are split into groups based on previous 5k / parkrun times (or estimates) over the last 12 months. There is one parkun venue chosen each month and members can run that venue as many times in the month as they like with the best time counting. There will be a league table produced and the first and second place of each group will win a trophy (third place also for leagues 10 participants or greater)!

Which parkruns are we doing?

• May – Rothwell

• June – Wetherby

• July – Nostell

• August – A parkrun with a lovely hill (we will put this to a vote nearer the time)

• September – Roberts Park

Which league will I be in?

Runners are split into Leagues based on their recent parkrun or 5k best time of the last 12 months (or estimated time if no recent runs).

• The Assembly League  (under 18 mins)

• The Gascoigne League (18-19:29 mins)

• The Devon League (19:30-20:59 mins)

• The Woodman League (21-22:29 mins)

• The Wykebeck Arms League (22:30-23:59 mins)

• The Cabellero Lounge League (24-25:29 mins)

• The Brown Cow League (25:30-26:59 mins)

• The Barnbow League (27-28:29 mins)

• The Station League (28:30-29:59 mins)

• The Leodis League (30-31:29 mins)

• The Locus League (31:30-onwards mins)

Runners may be moved leagues if it looks like were placed in the wrong league. The method of doing this will change for 2025 after it may have been gammified in previous years.

How does Scoring work?

Points will then be awarded for each venue / league as follows:

1st In that league that month: 100

2nd In that league that month: 95

3rd in that league that month:  90 

Etc.

A runners’ best four scores out of the five months count. 

Results will be updated regularly and sent out on Facebook / WhatsApp / email

What’s the ‘Wildcard’ and how do I qualify for it?

On Saturday 4th October those who qualify for a ‘wildcard’ can do any of the 5 parkruns again. This could be as you missed it the first time around, or because you believe you can get a faster time.

Those who did 2 non-running volunteer roles between May and September at a senior parkun will qualify for the wildcard.

Even if you cannot make the wildcard date we would encourage all to volunteer when they can as parkrun relies on its volunteers and the local events do struggle to fill the roster from time to time.

What's the 'parkun cup'?

This will run parallel to the league and everyone taking part will be in both the league and cup.

You will be drawn at random against another runner and then assigned a handicap time. You have that month's parkrun (e.g. Rothwell for May) to beat your opponent. The winner goes through to the next round / month's parkrun. The loser is eliminated out of the cup.

The handicap times for the second month onwards will be based on the previous month's parkrun time and perceived difficulty of that course. 

There will only be one winner of the 'parkrun cup'

Rounds as follows:

• May - 1st round (48+ ties / 96+ runners)

• June - 2nd round (16 ties / 48+ runners)

• July - 3rd round (8 ties / 16 runners)

• August - Quarter final (4 ties / 8 runners)

• September - Semi final (2 ties / 4 runners)

• 30th September - Final (1 tie / 2 runners)

If 2 runners in a tie have the same time, the 'slower' runner goes through - the 'faster' runner needs to beat the handicap time.

If you don't do a parkrun for that month your opponent goes through on a bye. If both participants in a tie do not do the parkrun the 'fastest loser' from that round goes through in their place (the 'fastest loser' is the losing runner from all other ties who was closest to their opponent on handicap time).

Dependent on the amount of entries, there may be some 3 way ties in round 1 and round 2.

On the final (wildcard week) the finalists need to tell the handicapper which parkrun they are doing so the handicap time can be calculated in advance. If either of the finalists cannot do a parkrun that week then an alternative date will be arranged.

What is the new 'Age graded league'?

We will use an age grade calculator which takes into account your age and gender to produce a percentage score for your run.

A table will be produced and updated and there will be an award for top female and top male.

The age category you will be in will be what you are on May 1st for the whole duration. So if you are a male whos is 50 on May 2nd, you would remain in the M45 category.

You may notice that the percentage score on our results is different from your parkrun results. That is because we won't be using the same calculation method.

Anything I need to do?

Just say you’re interested in taking part on Facebook or email (when asked) and you’ll be added to the appropriate league and cup draw.

Also if you could please add ‘St. Theresa’s’ as  the club (group) in your parkrun profile as this will really help us do the results. To do this:

• Sign-in to parkrun https://www.parkrun.com/signin/

• Go to ‘groups’

• Search for and join ‘St Theresa’s AC’ and make sure it’s your primary group

For 2nd claim members we will make a note of,  but again would be easier if you have your club in your profile.

'Parkrun league' has been going in STAC since 2017 and 'parkrun cup' since 2023. Previous winners: