Today (3 October) is Tag der Deutschen Einheit (Reunification Day) in Germany, and it is a public holiday. It is also the day when German Parkruns can stage an extra event (if they wish – not all do).
Rheinpark Parkrun went for it and the organisers were rewarded with a record number of participants for the course (224) and a beautiful autumn morning. I know. I was there.
For my part it was a chance to celebrate 2 years of Parkrunning this week, and today was my 96th event. It coincided with Parkrun celebrating 20 years since the first one, in Bushy Park to the west of London.
I ran the Rheinpark course when I visited Köln in August and had a miserable experience. I had just recovered from having Covid earlier in the week. I enjoyed it thoroughly today, and ran a personal best for the course. That was not difficult given how slow I was last time.
It is a lovely course located in Deutz just across the river from the city centre. I stayed in Marriott’s The Deutz again because the location is ideal, and it is a pleasant place.
I am enjoying being in a city I am now familiar with. Most of my visits to Germany over the years have been to Bavaria and the other parts of the country are relatively unknown to me.
©️ iain taylor, 2024
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