Statistician Tim Grose has unveiled his latest list of swift and tough courses across the UK

Pegwell Bay in Kent has emerged as the fastest parkrun course in the latest statistical survey conducted by Tim Grose from the Power of 10.

The Pegwell Bay event, which is on a two-lap course of gravel trail in Pegwell Bay Country Park, is judged slightly quicker than Walsall Arboretum with Battersea in third place.

However, Pegwell is known to be around 100m short and a parkrun spokesperson said: "The route is slightly short because of works by the National Grid for 'Operation Nemo' which necessitated a move from the original starting point to the current starting point for safety reasons. We have looked at alternatives and there isn't a viable safe route which will bring the route back to 5km unfortunately."

Pegwell organisers say: “The course consists of a two laps of the Pegwell Bay Country Park consisting of gravel trail for the entire route. Along the route runners will benefit from the most amazing coastal views across Pegwell Bay towards Ramsgate, in addition to views along the nature reserve and intertidal mud flats that year on year attracts many wildlife enthusiasts due to its national and international waders and wildfowl.”

Pegwell Bay was also judged fastest when the last survey was done in 2023.

Parkrun 'world records' were set by Ciara Mageean and Nick Griggs at the Belfast Victoria event but it places sixth on the list.

With 835 parkrun courses included, the toughest or slowest event is Great Yarmouth North Beach.

Top 10 fastest parkruns:

1 Pegwell Bay
2 Walsall Arboretum
3 Battersea
4 Isabel Trail (Main)
5 Bromley (Winter)
6 Belfast Victoria
7 Widnes
8 Elder Park
9 Aberbeeg
10 Marine Parade (Main)

The full list can be seen here or you can watch Grose's video about his survey below...

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