Egham Orbit parkrun - event 76

On the 25th July 2026 I ran Egham Orbit parkrun, which was the 76th event held at the venue, my 297th parkrun and 209th different course I'd attended.

Back in May when I was researching Egham Orbit parkrun I came across a cafe in town named Egham on Toast, which I was thoroughly impressed by. As puns for cafes go, that's certainly up there and I felt obliged to visit after my parkrun had finished.

Of course back in May we never ever made it as far as that, being stuck in traffic on the M25 meant no parkrun at all that morning. So when it came to rearranging my visit for another day it became a perfect birthday weekend venue.

Over the past few years we've turned my birthday weekend into a celebratory family breakfast. Last year was Markshall Estate, where we all trudged along to, kids against their wills and wife not exactly enthusiastic either. The breakfast trumps parkrun which is 30 minutes that they have to endure as an aperitif.

At least this year they got to enjoy watching me participate in the parkrun event. Last year on a two lap course I passed by them just the once, where as at Egham Orbit they got to pretend to show their enthusiasm at my efforts at least four times.

Parking at the Egham Orbit leisure centre the parkrun event is a gruelling 7 and a 1/2 lap course around the vicinity of the leisure centre itself and utilises some waste land on the other side of the M25 to make up the required distance.

I was told after the event on a Facebook post where have thanks to the Run Director and First Timer host who were two of the nicest characters I've come across on my parkrun travels. The First Timer host read my post and commented that when they were setting up the event they knew that they weren't going to win any prizes for beauty, so wanted to focus on community instead - something that they've done with some aplomb.

When I shared the course map with Foordy back in May he threw a bit of a hissy fit in response. Claiming he didn't want to run 7 & 1/2 times around some field and wanted to go somewhere nicer instead 

I feel like I need to defend the course somewhat now having run it, as reading my descriptions so far definitely does it an injustice.

Whilst yes, it does run on a field next to the leisure centre the initial lap has sufficient variety to it, weaving in and out of the tree line that adds interest. And as the first part of the course is three laps, each lap feels really short and gives the impression that you've run further than you possibly have.

After those initial three laps the course goes under the M25, which again is a bit of a unique feature and slightly thrilling in itself. Coming out the other side another three laps lie in wait. Here the route travels again through a line of trees and with the July weather making conditions hot and stuffy the shade was very much welcome.

This section again feels fast and short, considering the three laps which seem to whizz by.

The course then returns to the field next to the leisure centre via the same underground tunnel where the final one and a half laps are completed.

I finished in 72nd place out of a field of 134 participants in a time of 31:18. On a trail course with my ankle still not 100% and the weather as warm as it was I was pleased with that all things considered.

Once the event was completed Stephanie, Hayden and I walked into Egham so we could work out whether the food was as good as the name of the cafe. Phoebe refused to get out of bed and Oliver was working. Phoebe would have enjoyed much of the food on the Egham and Toast menu. But guess she's never going to find out now.

Us three all had a great time, Hayden especially being able to build his own breakfast. Sausage, bacon, beans and Halloumi - breakfast of champions!