welcome to the newsletter
In this week’s newsletter adidas help you to fight the winter blues, Sweatshop want you to set yourself a challenge, there’s a reminder for the SparkLE-2 participants, Elaine Omand tours Scotland and I marvel at what has been and what is to come.
It’s hard to believe that our tenth anniversary is just round the corner and that later this year we’ll be celebrating such an amazing milestone. It’s almost like how those of us of a certain age used to feel about the year 2000, for so long it seemed so far away and then all of a sudden the naughties are a thing of the past, I’m about to turn 40, the Tour de France is starting in Yorkshire and our wonderfully simple weekly gathering is about to turn ten!
From those humble beginnings and the 13 parkrun pioneers, we’re expecting (globally) to process our five millionth finisher (yes, that’s a five followed by six zeros) around the beginning of May and by International parkrun Day on the 4th of October we will almost certainly have added another million to that total. In the UK alone at the current rate of 43,000 run performances per week we’ll see 2.2 million runs recorded in 2014 taking our total to something like 5.5 million completed timed runs since we started! If we grow at the same rate as last year, which is highly likely, there will be over 60,000 people running a UK parkrun every single week by the end of the year. That would, I think, make us bigger than any other running event in the UK, 52 times a year!
To think that in just ten (nearly) short years such a simple thing as a group of friends running round a park would turn into the biggest series of timed runs the World has ever seen is really quite something. The scary thing of course is that this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Of course, size isn’t everything and quantity is nothing without quality. What actually makes parkrun so wonderful are the millions of personal stories, where gathering together every week in an open space around a positive activity has changed lives in ways never expected. It is with that in mind then that I’m asking you to share your stories for a book currently being written about parkrun’s first ten years. Debra Bourne (Event Director of Lloyd parkrun) is tens of thousands of words into the project and would like to hear your personal parkrun story. If you’d like to contribute please follow this link to find more details.
With Junior parkrun gathering pace and a whole load more countries about to join the parkrun family perhaps only the most adventurous can picture what our second decade might bring!
Thanks for your parkrun passion,
Tom
here’s to February
It’s January. Known amongst many for being cold, wet, windy and miserable. A time to hibernate. Not for runners. Runners see January as the start of marathon training. An opportunity to go running whilst everyone else is asleep. A challenge to keep going, even when the urge strikes to go straight home after work. As runners, even when the elements are against us, we don’t stop.
Last month we launched the Supernova Glide Boost. The mileage trainer, which is now more cushioned and responsive than ever before. If you’re looking for a new trainer to help continue and develop your journey as a runner, discover more about the official marathon training shoe of choice here.
When you’re fighting the winter blues, #boost your running. Here’s to February.
The adidas running team
set yourself a challenge in 2014
Why not enter the 2014 Reading Half Marathon? There’s still time to enter the PB friendly Reading Half Marathon on the 2nd of March. The flat fast course on closed roads and the unique finish in the Madejski Stadium with over 15,000 spectators cheering you to the finish make it a memorable experience. Soak up the electric atmosphere, take home a special medal and goody bag, and enjoy the whole race experience. Charity places are still available. Find out more here.
Additionally, set yourself a challenge for 2014 by entering the Robin Hood Half Marathon, now open for entries. Set your sights for a September run in Robin Hood country. The fast flat course takes you down the tree-lined University Boulevard, around Highfields Lake and through the Trent building courtyard at the University of Nottingham, one of the most iconic buildings in the City. There’s plenty of time to train and make a weekend out of it in beautiful historic Nottingham.
SparkLE-2
A brief message to everyone who registered for parkrun between October 2012 and February 2013 and is taking part in phase 2 of SparkLE (Study of parkrun on Lifestyle & Exercise).
We have finished sending e-mails to all participants with details of the third (and final) questionnaire. Thanks to all those who have already completed this. If you have not yet done so, we would be hugely grateful if you could complete it as soon as possible as we will be closing the questionnaire in a couple of weeks.
If you are a participant in SparkLE-2 (you would have registered around this time last year), and have not seen the reminder email, please check your junk mail folder, just in case it's ended up there. If you still can't find it please get in touch with Chris via chris@parkrun.com who can send you a fresh reminder.
If you are not already part of SparkLE-2, we are not looking for more volunteers right now, however we will ask again in the future. Further information about our findings so far can be found here.
Thanks again to everyone who is contributing to this research.
Clare Stevinson and Mary Hickson
event news
Please check your event's news pages for the most up to date information.
Cancellations this Saturday:
- Nonsuch parkrun is cancelled due to a waterlogged course.
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
Two years ago I turned 50. I was overweight at 18 stone and a HGV truck driver with an alcohol dependency. I started jogging early in the mornings when it was dark so nobody could see me. Then I started going to my local parkrun event, Hull parkrun. I have since joined East Hull Harriers, completed two half marathons and am now training for my first full marathon in York in October. Many thanks to parkrun, friends and my family for all your support.
Regards,
Andrew Butler
Hi parkrun UK
On the weekend of the 18th of January my husband and I were in Northern Ireland visiting our daughter. As per usual when out there we got the early train and travelled to do the Belfast Victoria parkrun, only to find when we got there a notice on the gate to say the Park was closed for resurfacing and upgrading! We ran into nearby Belfast City Airport and over to the taxi rank at 8:40am asking a bewildered taxi driver if he could possibly get us to Ormeau Park for 8:55am. We arrived, got out of the taxi and tipped the driver at 8:55am to be told by a parkrunner “It’s ok. It’s a 9:30am start here!”. Total relief, a warm welcome, a great parkrun with lovely people, our parkrun ‘fix’ achieved and even a lift back afterwards from another wonderfully kind parkrunner named Simon.
Regards,
Liz and Dave Turton
Hi parkrun UK
I started running parkrun when King's Lynn parkrun began in September of 2011 and not only has parkrun improved my running dramatically, it has also enhanced my life beyond recognition. In June of 2012 I met my fiancee Lisa Jermey at parkrun and we are now getting married in May this year. We believe we are the first parkrun wedding stemming from King's Lynn parkrun to add to possibly the first King's Lynn parkrun baby as our son Stanley Charlie Pyatt was born on the 13th of December 2013. We would all like to thank all the parkrun UK team personally as without you we may never have met and have such a happy life together. Thanks for everything!
Regards,
Matt Pyatt, Lisa and Stanley
Hi parkrun UK
On Saturday the 8th of February my son Isaac Johnson Caddell will complete his 200th parkrun. It’s not an official milestone of course, but I find it remarkable as Isaac is in the JM14 age category. He has been parkrunning since he was nine years old. He started at Albert parkrun, moved to Stewart parkrun and you can see from the picture how much he has grown! He takes a relaxed approach to running, volunteering and doing some parkrun tourism. He asked if we could visit the original parkrun at Bushy after his 200th parkrun, so that's our next trip! Here’s to him making the magic 250 Club!
Regards,
Sharon Cadell
Hi parkrun UK
My family and I run at Porthcawl parkrun every Saturday. My son David received his 10 Club t-shirt this past weekend and has just turned six years old (on Christmas Day). His present parkrun time is around 30 minutes but only because he staying close to me! Our daughter, aged two, now comes along in the pushchair as well. Thanks parkrun. What a great family event!
Regards,
Kate Attwood
Hi parkrun UK
To celebrate Worsley Woods parkrun’s 100th event, Salford Harriers’ Juniors were invited to start the run and marshal this week’s event. The children had a great time guiding and encouraging the runners through the muddy course. At the end of the run all the children said they had thoroughly enjoyed participating. Thank you parkrun.
Regards,
Mike Bryan
parkrunner of the week
Name: Margaret Connarty
Club: Shropshire Shufflers
Age: 40
Home parkrun: Shrewsbury
Occupation: Legal Secretary
Number of runs: 14
Favourite volunteer role: I like barcode scanning as I get to see all the runners when they finish. I also get to see the start and cheer the runners going past.
What do you do at parkruns: I run, I volunteer and I like to do the token sorting afterwards.
How has parkrun changed your running: I walked/jogged the first one and I can now get round without stopping. Shrewsbury parkrun has given me confidence and enthusiasm for running and has changed my life.
What do you like about parkrun: I absolutely adore parkrun, it is the highlight of my week. Everyone is so friendly and encouraging as well as non-judgmental. They are just some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. I love the atmosphere, the community spirit, seeing new and familiar faces and I especially look forward to going to the coffee shop afterwards with all the chatting to the other runners and volunteers.
Most memorable or funniest parkrun moment: There are so many memorable moments. The first Shrewsbury parkrun was pretty special, as was the first time I got all the way up the hill there in one go. One of my best and funniest moments was getting my first parkrun PB whilst wearing a tutu at the Halloween parkrun!
parkrun corner
One of the many things I love about parkrun is that no matter which one you visit, they are all basically the same. You use the same barcode, it starts at the same time. You can simply turn up, know the procedure and know you will be welcomed by the friendly atmosphere which is bred into every parkrun community. There will be fast runners who will disappear into the distance as soon as the run starts, there will be the walkers and joggers who get round in their own time. There will be families, babies in pushchairs and dogs. No matter where you fit in there will be others of your own pace, who will push you round, maybe having a chat along the way.
Each parkrun also has its nuances, either due to the variety of courses which we run, the inputs from individual teams or simply the unique mix of personalities in the local parkrun community.
I have gotten quite into parkrun tourism recently and love to see what other runs have to offer. I visited Perth parkrun not long ago as I helped the team to activate their event. I’d already run it before but wanted to see how they were progressing. It was their 8th event and I could already see the parkrun community forming. They have a flat, fast course which attracts a lot of club runners and offers a good opportunity for a PB. Due to geography they also have parkrunners from a wide demographic and range of abilities, including runners with buggies and a participant in a wheelchair. Due to the trails at my home parkrun of Camperdown we couldn’t accommodate these particular parkrunners so it was a joy to see a few buggy runners rushing to the finish. The smiles on everyone’s faces and the buzz around the park as people hung around to discuss their runs was brilliant and it was very satisfying to see the familiar parkrun atmosphere established here too.
Although I won’t be joining the ‘Cowell Club’ any time soon (listeners to the parkrun show will know this is when you have ran at least 100 different parkrun events, named after Chris Cowell, the first parkrunner to have done so), I have made it my goal for 2014 to visit all of the Scottish parkruns. I look forward to trying out some more great locations and meeting some interesting people along the way.
Elaine Omand, Camperdown 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 2013 alone over 33,000 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
February
Bexley parkrun 1st
Bolton parkrun 1st
Coventry parkrun 1st
Hillsborough parkrun 1st
Mile End parkrun 1st
Temple Newsam parkrun 1st
Wolverhampton parkrun 1st
Frimley Lodge parkrun 8th
Newbury parkrun 8th
Cardiff parkrun 15th
Cheltenham parkrun 15th
Gateshead parkrun 15th
Telford parkrun 15th
Valentines parkrun 15th
Queens parkrun 22nd
Scunthorpe parkrun 22nd
Thetford parkrun 22nd
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.
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Today I found my Freedom
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