welcome to the newsletter
In this week’s newsletter Chase The Place comes to an end, adidas look forward to 2014, BOB wish you a very merry Christmas, there’s some amazing feedback from the field, a brilliant parkrunner of the week and I look back over a life-changing 12 months.
With this being the final newsletter of 2013 I thought, as I sit on the train down to London for my last parkrun meetings of the year, that I'd take this opportunity to reflect on the last 12 months and look forward to what the next 12 might hold.
At the beginning of the year I claimed that this would be the year of the volunteer and although there are always ways we can improve I’m pleased to see that we now have in excess of three thousand people volunteering every single week. It’s not just about numbers though and as this week’s parkrunner of the week testifies, our collaboration with the wonderful Join In project encouraged new people to get involved with their local event and often opened their eyes to how much fun it could be. Behind the scenes there has also been significant progress on the volunteering front and our event teams now have a bespoke online system to create their volunteer rosters and credit people for their involvement.
In the UK we have of course continued to grow at a somewhat enthusiastic rate. Since this time last year we’ve gone from 158 to 236 UK locations, our record weekly attendance has increased from 22,300 to 37,400. Our total number of registered parkrunners has increased by over 230,000 people, sitting today at 607,000 wonderfully unique individuals. In the last few weeks we also passed the crazy running milestone of ten million miles! As you know, we’re all about inclusivity and that means runners of all abilities so it was nice to see the overall parkrun UK female record improved to 15:55 at St Albans by the super speedy Hannah Walker. Along with Andy Baddeley who holds the men’s record it’s nice to see both of those performances holding on to the global parkrun records. Who needs the Ashes?
Towards the end of this year we relaunched the Junior parkrun series as weekly, 2km timed runs starting between 9-11am on Sunday mornings. Looking forward to 2014 it’s clear that our juniors will be a huge part of the next 12 months and we currently have around 90,000 children registered to run with us across the globe. As the Junior series gathers momentum I’m really excited about the opportunity to give children all around the World the type of fun, engaging and pressure free running that I and many of my generation never experienced. Also in 2014, my own love for numbers will be satisfied when someone registers as parkrunner A1000000, a momentous occasion… at least in my own little stat-loving world. I do hope that it goes to someone who gives it the love it deserves.
Perhaps the biggest parkrun event of the next 12 months will take place on October the 4th when we celebrate our tenth birthday with International parkrun Day, an event that could see close to 100,000 participants at 400+ events, across ten countries in five continents. A far cry from those first 13 parkrun pioneers who legged it round Bushy Park on October the 2nd 2004.
So, as I sit here nine months into my role as Managing Director of parkrun in the UK I’m prouder than ever to be a part of our wonderful family and despite all these amazing changes I’m confident the experience that parkrunner A1000000 receives will be extremely close to that of those first thirteen. By the way, for the curious amongst you we chose never to assign parkrun IDs A1 to A4 and the next two thousand or so were given out in alphabetical order.
We do of course have three more parkrundays left in 2013, including the 25th of December in some locations. Last year just over 5,000 people took part in a UK Christmas Day parkrun and this year I’ll certainly be one of them. As a parent of a two year old girl this is probably our last Christmas where she isn’t more excited than an excited thing on an exciting day… I wonder what the correct present opening protocol will be going forwards? Before or after parkrun? Stocking first then presents after? Everything before? Everything after?
Merry Christmas from me, Jo, Anita, Danny and everyone at parkrun HQ,
Tom
Image courtesy of Terry Bussey at Bradford parkrun
4,021 runners complete #ChaseThePlace
The hard work is done, the eight weeks are over and there are 4,021 dedicated parkrunners who have made it through the final week of #ChaseThePlace.
After battling cold weather and fighting the urge for a Saturday sleep-in during the festive season, this committed group have covered 24.8 miles and earned their chance to go into the exclusive #ChaseThePlace draw to win a place in one of the World’s most iconic 26.2 mile races, the 2014 Virgin Money London Marathon.
Look out for the winners being announced on Lucozade Sport’s Twitter and Facebook soon and well done to everyone who took part!
win the ultimate running prize in 2014
Take part in the first Saturday parkrun of the year and you could win a place in the Virgin Money London Marathon. Simply run or volunteer at any parkrun in the UK on Saturday the 4th of January and follow the link in your results email or thanks for volunteering email and you’ll be in with a chance to win.
Make 2014 your year of running.
The adidas running team
merry Christmas from BOB
Just a quick note from us here at BOB to say Merry Christmas to you all and a very Happy New Year! Becoming a supporter of parkrun has been the highlight of an exciting 2013 for us, which has seen us launch BOB running strollers into Europe. We can’t wait to see what 2014 will bring!
Merry Christmas again from everyone at BOB.
event news
Please check your event's news pages for the most up to date information.
Cancellations and course changes this Saturday:
- Gateshead parkrun is cancelled due to another event taking place in the park.
feedback from the field
Let us know if you have an interesting parkrun related fact, happening or comment that you would like to share with all parkrunners
Hi parkrun UK
A couple of years ago I did my first parkrun in my 75th year. Last week one day after my 77th birthday I achieved a PB of 29:28. I would like to thank Emma and Simon Sperring and the other volunteers for organising Swindon parkrun every week. Also thanks to Slinn Allstars for introducing me to the joys of running. So much so that I have completed a number of 10k races this year and next year attempting my first half marathon.
Thank you all.
Regards,
Basil Miles
Hi parkrun UK
I just want to say how much parkrun has really helped me. Back in June last year I had two prolapsed discs in my spine and was so bad that I couldn't even walk 10 metres. I decided after trying all sorts of treatment that the best thing would be to try training so after I got the go ahead from my doctor (and injections into my spine!) I started running. I am please to say that I have just completed my 10th Tilgate parkrun and did a PB, I am sure you could have heard me scream when I passed the line and my husband said I had done it.
I am so grateful to you guys for the support.
Regards,
Joan Palmer
Hi parkrun UK
I came across Southwark parkrun a few weeks ago whilst out with my nine month old son Lukas. I am 57 and recovering from a toe operation I had in October to try to stop the running injuries I have been getting recently. Having been given the all clear by my doctor, I now run with my son in his buggy. I have completed three parkruns, getting faster each time and I am grateful for parkrun as it gives me the incentive to get back to form and to meet a great set of new friends each week.
Regards,
Chris Togwell
Hi parkrun UK
I wanted to say a huge thank you for the support we've received as a family at Barrow parkrun. The encouragement and endless patience from the marshals, volunteers and runners here has been amazing. It's enabled my four year old, William, to complete his 3rd parkrun and my six year old, Sam, to complete his 2nd this past Saturday. Sam has severe autism and needs a lot of support so it can be difficult to find an inclusive activity we can do as a family but parkrun has been wonderful. I just wanted to let everyone know how much we appreciate the support each time we come running.
Regards,
Laura Jones-Barnes
Hi parkrun UK
This Christmas I'm running each day of advent for a particular friend or thing in my life that I'm grateful for. Today (Monday) I ran for parkrun. I ran and remembered my first parkrun. I was in the midst of a nasty episode of depression and my friend kept nagging me about this parkrun thing. That first run wasn't pretty. I had to stop at least three times just to get round! Since then I've gone on to run a half marathon and a couple of 10k’s. I found my local parkrun, Burgess, about a year ago and since then I've never looked back. I've loved the volunteering, the chat and the camaraderie. Thanks parkrun!
Regards,
Claire Mitchell
Hi parkrun UK
I've run half marathons and two marathons in the past but by last year I'd almost given up. Then an old friend and my brother-in-law told me about parkrun, so I started plodding round Crystal Palace parkrun. In September I was astonished to be awarded Sweatshop Monthly Prize and this spurred me to start running again between weekends. On Saturday I celebrated my 50th parkrun with a fifth consecutive PB! So thanks to Dawn and Steve (a Sheffield Hallam parkrun regular) for getting me started and thanks to all at Crystal Palace parkrun, especially Tom, George and Sidney. I'm 60 in January and between them they've saved me from becoming a slothful, sedentary sexagenarian!
Regards,
Nick Jenkins
Hi parkrun UK
We've recently started a new parkrun in Pontypool, Torfaen in Wales. We're thrilled with the response and support we've had. I'd like to say a big thank you to Pont-y-pwl District Runners, Fairwater Runners and Torfaen Sports Development for helping get us off the ground. Particular thanks to Dimitri Vorres (Pontypool parkrun Event Director), Martyn Jenkins, Iestyn Rhodes and Chris Davies (Newport parkrun Event Director and parkrun UK Ambassador). It's great to see so many friendly, happy, healthy people running on a Saturday morning and in such a beautiful location!
Regards,
Fiona Cross
Hi parkrun UK
I ran today (the 14th of December) and just wanted to share how impressed I was with the sportsmanship of a fellow Woodley parkrunner. I was pacing Dean Horrell for most of the run and he sensed I was struggling towards the end, but rather than shooting ahead and leaving me behind, he stayed with me and gave some great encouragement which pushed me to a new PB. I thought this really demonstrated the spirit of parkrun. You’re a great sportsman Dean, thank you!
Regards,
John Hammond.
Hi parkrun UK
Our four year old daughter, Thea, has been participating as an enthusiastic yet passive member of the parkrun community (ie. in a buggy) since the age of two. In the last few weeks she has started getting out of the buggy to run certain sections of our local parkrun at Ashton Court. However, anyone who has run our beloved hill course will know that it is not for the faint hearted. So when last Saturday we were up in Essex visiting family we decided to get her her own barcode, in the knowledge that Chelmsford parkrun is completely flat and therefore might be a little easier. Sure enough she ran the whole way and recorded a very respectable time of 48:05!
Regards,
Helen Faubel
parkrunner of the week
Name: Lucy Tickle
Club: Blackpool Wyre & Fylde Athletics Club
Age: 9
Home parkrun: Preston
Occupation: Student
Number of runs: 12
Favourite volunteer role: Tail runner
What do you do at parkruns: I run with my mum or dad as I am only nine years old. I love parkrun and the atmosphere is amazing! Everyone is so friendly and encouraging. I volunteered during the 'Family' Join In week as a tail runner which was really good fun. So much so that I was tail runner again on the 23rd November with my mum!
How has parkrun changed your running: I am a member of Blackpool Wyre & Fylde Athletics Club and train two to three times a week. Doing parkrun helps build my stamina and fitness for when I run my 400/600m races! I just love running!
What do you like about parkrun: Everything! The atmosphere, running, volunteering and the people because they are so friendly, and the croissant I eat when I have finished my run!
Most memorable or funniest parkrun moment: It would have to be when I finish ahead of my mum at the finish line as I always do a sprint at the end!
parkrun corner
Despite my advancing years, I still remember the feeling of excitement leading up to Christmas which I had as a child. Fortunate to be a member of a large family, there were always a lot of people around and good times were bound to follow.
I’m not ashamed to say, I have a similar flutter of impending fun as I look forward to Saturday’s fancy dress parkrun. Last year the creativity was astounding. We had a Christmas tree, numerous Santas, angels, elves and even an oven with a turkey inside!
Just a few days later we have our very first Christmas Day parkrun. Whole families are coming down. Friends, relatives and even neighbours are being registered. Volunteers are coming forward to help host the event on Christmas morning. Hey, Christmas was never this good!
Happy Christmas to my extended family, all 767,000+ of you.
Chris Davies, Newport parkrun Event Director and parkrun UK Ambassador
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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
December
Congleton parkrun 21st
Darlington South Park parkrun 21st
January
Barnstaple parkrun 4th
Wimbledon Common parkrun 4th
Harrow Lodge parkrun 11th
St Albans parkrun 11th
Wimpole Estate parkrun 11th
York parkrun 11th
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
adidas has been focused on athlete's performance since the first running spikes were made in the 1920s earning the first Olympic gold medal in adidas shoes. Today, adidas is proud to be supporting parkrunners everywhere. Explore adidas running adidas.com
Helping people be the best they can be
For 39 years, Sweatshop the award winning running store, has been helping runners find the perfect products for their individual needs. Find your closest store at sweatshop.co.uk
Fuelling You to the Finish Line
Lucozade Sport has all the tips and advice you need to have a great parkrun - come and find out more at lucozade.com/running
Health insurance that rewards you for living well.
We want you to live life well. Our health insurance makes it cheaper and easier for you to get healthy with discounts on things like gym memberships, sports shoes and bikes - and motivates you with rewards like free cinema tickets to savings on holidays. And importantly, if you do get ill - we'll always ensure you have access to the best possible medical care. Discover Vitality wellness
our supporters
Inspiring runners of all levels
For information on all events organised by the London Marathon, please visit london-marathon.co.uk
Delivering your results earlier
For information on the company powering the mobile messaging, please visit aql.com
Connecting parkrunners everywhere
For information on the mobile communications company, please visit three.co.uk
Today I found my Freedom
For more information about BOB running strollers, please visit bobgear.co.uk