welcome to this week's newsletter
In the week’s newsletter adidas celebrate a stormy weekend, BOB announce their winner, Chris Davies launches his sofa to superhero programme, our juniors set a stunning example and I take a back seat to the King of Clubs.
First off this week I’m after a favour... we’ve been working on a new child safeguarding policy and are looking for a member of the parkrun community with extensive experience within the field of DBS checking. There are a few intricacies of this process that we can’t quite get our heads around and we’d welcome some advice. If you feel you have a complete and full understanding of the DBS system and how that can be applied to parkrun please drop us a line here. Many thanks.
On Saturday as part of the Join In initiative we kicked off seven weekends of volunteering celebration by encouraging our junior members of the parkrun family to get involved. Recently we’ve been averaging around 240 junior volunteers per week so it was great to see a 58% increase as 368 junior parkrunners helped bring their parkrun to life. Thanks to all involved for your amazing parkrun passion.
Leading the charge at Pennington Flash was London 2012 Junior Games Maker Megan Ryan-Loughran who said...
“Pennington Flash parkrun went really well and everyone was so friendly, explaining to me that parkrun is a global thing now and how it works. My volunteer role was to scan people's athlete ID barcodes and their position barcode when they finished and I was amazed at how friendly and smiley everyone was despite having just ran 5k! Here I am with some of the other volunteers that help out regularly.”
This coming Saturday our challenge goes out to the many members of the parkrun 10, 50, 100 and 250 clubs to Join In with their local event and make things happen. There are of course plenty of volunteer roles that still allow you to run so there’s no need to slow your progress towards the next milestone. The King of the Clubs is I guess the 411 time parkrunning (more than anyone in the World) Darren Wood, who had this to say about volunteering...
“I have been involved ever since the second ever Bushy parkrun way back on the 9th of October in 2004 and try to volunteer as often as possible at Frimley Lodge parkrun, which is now my most local event. You can find me most weeks running the course pre-run putting out the signs and then having finished find me tail-running with the last runner and taking the signs down as we go. I also take care of the Club t-shirts for Frimley. Over the years I have done multiple volunteer roles ranging from timer to kit storage. I personally love volunteering and have made a lot of new friends at parkrun and if I'm injured and/or have another event to do later that weekend I’ll still go along to parkrun and volunteer as I need to get my parkrun fix. One of the many roles I enjoy doing is barcode scanning as you get to meet a lot of the runners this way. I get a real buzz from meeting new people so it’s a great way to put names to faces. I have been known to run and then take a scanner and do the role after running when the team are short on volunteers. If you’re thinking about volunteering then why not take a listen back through previous episodes of the parkrun show podcast where they talk about the different volunteer roles. I would highly recommend volunteering to everyone who’s not tried it before and would hope that you get the same amount of enjoyment out of it that I do.”
Having taken to the scanners at Conkers parkrun on Saturday (thanks Andy Harris and the amazing team for the usual fantastic parkrunday experience) in advance of the adidas Thunder Run I’ll be most likely volunteering here in Harrogate this coming weekend as a proud member of the 100 Club.
If you’ve not volunteered before all you need to do is pop your local event an email via the address on their website and/or opt-in to their volunteer emails via your ‘my profile’ link on the email version of this newsletter.
Happy parkrunning,
Tom (get in touch)
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a thunderclap for everyone at the adidas Thunder Run
Congratulations to everyone who ran in the adidas Thunder Run 24hr last weekend, including our parkrun team. Look out for their full diary and results in next week’s newsletter.
Check out the parkrun UK twitter account on Friday to see a documentary of the event and to register your interest for next year.
The adidas Running Team
and the BOB competition winner is...
Well done to all of those who took part in the BOB competition by either running or volunteering at a parkrun during July. We had a huge number of entries to win a BOB running stroller and accessory bundle - a prize worth £600!
We are pleased to announce that the winner is Joe Christie from Southampton parkrun! Congratulations Joe! We’ll be catching up with Joe later in the year to find out how he’s been getting on with his new BOB stroller.
The BOB Ironman and BOB Sport Utility Stroller are specifically designed for running with your child, allowing you to complete your parkrun safely. Anyone purchasing one of these running strollers from the BOB website will also be contributing to parkrun. To learn more about these running strollers visit the BOB website.
event news
Please check your event's news pages for the most up to date information.
Cancellations and course changes this Saturday:
- Aberdeen parkrun is cancelled to allow a Jog Scotland event to take place.
- Coventry parkrun is cancelled due to another event in the park.
- Glasgow parkrun is cancelled due to the Pollok Park Family Day taking place.
- Preston Park parkrun in Brighton is cancelled due to the Pride Festival.
feedback from the field
Hi parkrun UK
Jack Lumsdon was pleased to hear about Tom’s volunteering challenge over the summer but then disappointed when he found out he was unable to take part as he would be away. So we challenged him to be Run Director at Sunderland parkrun before his holiday.
What a superstar he was. He had written his own course description in preparation and handed out the roles to all our volunteers as they arrived. Then it got close to 9am and everyone was called to the start line. He confidently stood up on a step ladder (so he could be seen) and addressed our 127 athletes and then set them away on their parkrun. He even helped process the results.
All at Sunderland parkrun, including his parents, were very impressed by how well he took on the responsibility. I should also thank his sister, Amy, who managed the task of timekeeper all on her own.
Regards,
Jane Niven
Hi parkrun UK
A comment on the wisdom of parkrun’s policy of marketing by word of mouth came in our 100th run last Saturday. At Inverness parkrun we had set ourselves an informal target of 100 runners (our previous highest was 86), but owing not to marketing but to the infectious enthusiasm of our regulars that target was shattered as 207 runners took part. One had swapped running shorts and t-shirt for kilt and bagpipes and the skirl of the pipes could be heard all over Bught Park. Inverness parkrun, you were brilliant!
Regards,
Paul Crowe, Inverness parkrun Event Director
Hi parkrun UK
After reading last week's newsletter I took my two children along to marshal with me at Colchester Castle parkrun. My 13 year old daughter Hannah was thrilled to be asked to start the run and I am sure everyone appreciated her efforts with the megaphone. A great way to be involved and thank you to everyone at our local parkrun.
Regards,
Catherine Johnson
Hi parkrun UK
I just wanted to share this photo of my five year old daughter Tilly doing her sprint finish at Conkers parkrun last Saturday. She was last over the finish line with me and we were met by rapturous applause. Despite initially saying she didn't want to do it again she now can't wait to be tail runner as one of this week’s Junior volunteers! Perhaps she's caught the same bug as mummy!
Regards,
Jenny Tattersall
Hi parkrun UK
Last parkrunday I took part in my first event at Wolverhampton parkrun, using the run as my ‘graduation’ from the NHS Couch to 5k programme. Despite being at the back of the pack for the entire distance I received much encouragement from other runners and was touched by how many hung around to cheer me over the finish line. I am thrilled with my time of 40:03 after only taking up running three months ago! Can I just extend a very big thank you to all the runners and volunteers, especially Adam and Lynsey, for their friendly and cheerful support. I’m looking forward to running again and taking my turn to volunteer too. What a fabulous community!
Regards,
Anna Marsh
Hi parkrun UK
I ran Edinburgh parkrun for the first time in March 2012, since then I have made so many friends and joined my local club Portobello. I met my friend Helen at my first Edinburgh parkrun and now we are best of friends. The core team have been amazing and so encouraging. Davie Black has helped me to a number of PBs and for that I can't thank him enough! The core team ran the Edinburgh Marathon Relay in an amazing time and always set a good example. For me Saturday mornings will always be about parkrun. Thanks to Karen, Susan, Davie, Barry and Gaz, you guys make my Saturday morning exciting!
Regards,
Helen Falconer
Hi parkrun UK
My son Joshua and I have really enjoyed our first two Medina parkruns. I used to run at university level 13 years ago until I broke my femur in a road accident and lost my love of running. Now because of my two parkruns at Medina I have been inspired and have found my love of running again, but more importantly so has my seven year old son. I was really pleased to see the camaraderie at Medina and although the two of us crept over the line in 36 minutes all the other runners were there to cheer us home. Thank you so much and we look forward to taking part in many more parkruns.
Regards,
Eric Wright
Hi parkrun UK
I had previously believed I didn’t like running and only started to run when challenged by a work colleague to do a charity 10k this past April. I took part in my first parkrun on the 23rd of March at Southwick Country Park and have been converted ever since. This for me shows old dogs can learn new tricks. I attended Southwick’s 100th event this weekend, was determined to beat my PB and would like to say a big thank you to Holly Newman who ran the last few hundred meters with me, spurring me on and giving me encouragement to push hard and achieve that new PB. Thanks Holly.
Regards,
Daniel Smith
Hi parkrun UK
I had never been a runner but 12 weeks ago, aged 47, I attended my first ever parkrun in Huntingdon. I was exhausted at 1k and at 2.5k and I thought I'd never make it. I had to keep it up because I had been lucky enough to get a place for the five mile National Lottery Anniversary Run on July the 21st. My neighbour spurred me on and took me running every week and my friend Amanda told me all about parkrun as she attends Huddersfield parkrun. Each week I saw my time come down and some weight come off. Last week we were excited to get the Anniversary Run started and we crossed the line together in 01:01:55. Thank you parkrun.
Regards,
Janine Teal
Let us know if you have an interesting parkrun related fact, happening or comment that you would like to share with all parkrunners
parkrunner of the week
Name: Hannah Emson
Club: Cake Club
Age: 11
Home parkrun: Havant
Occupation: Student
Number of runs: 30
Favourite volunteer role: Run reporter because it means I can still run!
What do you do at parkruns: Have a chat with my friends and eat cake! Mmmmm!
How has parkrun changed your running: I went from my first PB of 39:16 to my current PB of 32:28!
What do you like about parkrun: I like the friendliness at Havant parkrun. I love the fact that your speed doesn't matter.
Most memorable or funniest parkrun moment: Definitely Havant’s first birthday as me and my Mum both got dressed up in tutus and everything! I was also awarded a trophy for the annual points competition, finishing as third junior female which was a real honour!
parkrun corner
Following on from Mark Thompson’s recent article in the weekly newsletter from the 17th of July on the benefits of joining a running club it is becoming clear that parkrun has become the main source of new club members in our area.
From the club point of view it has always been a challenge to encourage new members over the threshold as natural self-doubt has prevented many runners with great potential from joining a club. Inevitably when parkrun PBs start to get further apart, motivation to improve increases. Then the parkrun community provides the perfect opportunity for unattached runners to find a suitable club.
As a consequence, we now have an increasing number of parkrunners who have joined clubs and then progressed from the weekly 5k up to 10k, half marathon and marathon, exceeding all personal expectations. There is a brilliant twist to this good news story. I know a number of people locally who started their running career with parkrun and through running club/triathlon club partnership have developed their taste for cross training and gone on further to compete in their first triathlons. The ultimate is now a real prospect: from Sofaman to Ironman, all thanks to parkrun!
Chris Davies, Newport parkrun Event Director and parkrun UK Ambassador (get in touch)
reminders
barcode reminder
Barcodes are used at all our events to record your result. Please collect and print your barcode here. No barcode, no result!
all questions answered
Do you have a question about parkrun? How do I collect my club T-shirt? How do I get my barcode? All your questions are answered on our brand new support site
volunteering at parkrun
Every parkrun event relies on volunteers and in 2012 alone over 20,000 of you came forwards and supported your local event. Volunteering is a wonderful way to make friends, feel great and have fun. If that sounds like it's for you then please contact your local event team for more details.
upcoming anniversaries
August
Norwich parkrun 3rd
Wycombe Rye parkrun 3rd
Wythenshawe parkrun 3rd
Citypark parkrun 10th
Durham parkrun 10th
Old Deer Park parkrun 17th
Cannon Hill parkrun 24th
Oak Hill parkrun 24th
Woodbank parkrun 24th
children at parkrun
Children under the age of eleven must be accompanied at all times by a parent, guardian or appropriate adult of the parent's choice. It must also be ensured that children place themselves appropriately at the start so as to prevent a situation where they are being repeatedly overtaken. This is to ensure the safety of your child.
the parkrun show
You can download your copy of the parkrun show here. (iTunes)
The parkrun show is the audible roundup of the "goings on" of everything that caught the teams eye from the weekend in parkrunworld.
Brought to you by Marathon Talk.
our sponsors
all out performance
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Fuelling You to the Finish Line
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Inspiring runners of all levels
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Delivering your results earlier
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Connecting parkrunners everywhere
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Today I found my Freedom
For more information about BOB running strollers, please visit bobgear.co.uk