Running Holyrood parkrun on Christmas Day. A Record Attendance at Holyrood parkrun in Edinburgh! - Nicola Runs

Aug 13, 2025

Intro

This is a quick summary of Running Holyrood parkrun on Christmas Day. A Record Attendance at Holyrood parkrun in Edinburgh! from Nicola Runs. It’s a great watch — we’re breaking it down so you can try the run today. Be sure to check out the full video for all the details.

Key Points

Holyrood parkrun is a 5 km (3.1 mi) tarmac loop with a big hill in the first mile followed by a flat section and a long downhill.
The course is very accessible (tarmac, easy navigation) but offers stunning views of Arthur’s Seat and the city.
It’s perfect for large groups – the event broke attendance records (over 600 runners) and can handle 1 000+ participants.
Practical tip: start easy on the uphill, keep a steady effort, then use the downhill for recovery and speed.
Gear tip: bring a waterproof bag (the creator calls it a “dry‑run” bag) and wear bright or festive attire to match the festive vibe.

Workout Example

Holyrood Hill‑Repeat (5 km parkrun style)

Warm‑up: 5‑minute easy jog around the park, focusing on good form.
Hill 1 (≈1 km): Run the first uphill at a conversational effort (≈70‑80% max HR).
Flat/turn (≈300 m): Keep a steady, comfortable pace.
Uphill (≈1 km): Continue at a steady effort; treat this as a strength hill.
Downhill (≈2 km): Let the grade help you recover – optional pick‑up if you feel strong.
Finish: Cool‑down walk or easy jog for 3–5 minutes, stretch, and enjoy the views.

How to customise: Use your own parkrun or a local 5 km loop. Adjust the hill effort to your fitness level and set your target pace in the Pacing app.

Closing Note

Give Holyrood’s hill‑heavy 5 k a try on your next parkrun – it’s a fantastic way to start Christmas (or any day) with a scenic, challenging run. Feel free to tweak the paces and intervals to suit your own speed in the Pacing app. Happy running!