welcome to the newsletter
In this week’s newsletter adidas reward your parkrun PBs, Alister attends a birthday party, we invite you to volunteer and I wax lyrical about our amazing ambassadors.
This time last year we launched the parkrun Ambassador scheme, a project involving amazing volunteers from all four corners of the UK and everywhere in-between. However, looking back 12 months in our newsletter archives I see I was rather pre-occupied getting the message out there that under 11s must always be accompanied by an adult so it’s long overdue that I celebrate this amazing group of people, without whom parkrun UK simply would not have got from then to now. Back in 2012 I toured the UK, meeting up with over 100 of our then 140 teams, driving from Inverness to Devon and all round Northern Ireland. The most important thing that I learnt from that adventure was the amazing diversity we have across the parkrun UK world and that if we were going to provide the high level of support required at a local level, the only way to achieve that would be if it was delivered by local people. I also met a whole load, far more than I could have imagined beforehand, of amazing local people. Putting two and two together the concept of the parkrun Ambassador was born, someone who has an amazing passion for parkrun, great people skills and a strong desire to make a difference to their local community.
We currently have around 45 Ambassadors who over the last twelve months have helped design courses, meet with councils, generate funding, resolve disputes, train teams and generally help out at parkrun events near them. This weekend gone we brought them all together for the second ever ‘Ambassadors Get-Together Weekend’ and spent Friday to Sunday talking shop. Adidas joined us on Friday afternoon, along with their athlete Ambassadors (and regular parkrunners) Liz Yelling and Steve Way and on Saturday we enjoyed the inaugural parkrun global research conference (not before legging it round Cannon Hill parkrun of course)... more about that in a future Newsletter.
So, as we break through 280 weekly parkrun events (5k & 2k) across the UK and march swiftly on towards 300, 400 and one-day 500 locations I’m both proud and relieved that I am involved with such a wonderfully positive group of people on a daily basis.
Thanks to our amazing parkrun Ambassadors each one of us can feel a little more confident that the future of parkrun is in safe hands.
Tom
P.S. Talking of the future… Here’s the link to the latest junior parkrun newsletter
Over 11,000 of you broke your PB
This month, we challenged parkrunners to beat as many PBs as possible on Saturday the 31st of May.
A whopping 11,235 of you broke your PBs across the Nation. Congratulations.
We are giving away one pair of adios boost trainers, for every 1,000 PBs broken. Resulting in 11 pairs up for grabs. Keep an eye on your email this week to see if you are one of the lucky winners.
A special congratulations goes to Fulham Palace parkrun who won the adidas takeover last weekend.
To help beat their PBs, the parkrunners tested out adios boost, won #boost laces and four lucky winners got to take the adizero boost trainers home with them.
Thanks to everyone who got involved with a fantastic PB weekend.
To find out more about adios boost, visit: www.adidas.co.uk/getboost
The adidas running team.
fun in fluorescence
You may have wondered who the people having so much fun in the hi-vis are and how can you get involved? Most of them are parkrunners just like you who enjoy slipping into the fluorescent jackets now and then to help make the parkrun magic happen at their event and there's almost certainly a role for you at yours.
You can read all you need to know about volunteering at parkrun events here, you can ask the core team on any parkrunday about how to get involved or take a look at the volunteer tab on your local parkrun website and contact us by email. Many events also correspond with their community via the power of social media and you can also ‘opt in’ to receive regular emails from events of your choice detailing volunteer opportunities. There are so many ways to be in the loop!
It’s no coincidence that ‘fluorescence’ loosely defined means ‘emission of visible light’ as week after week volunteers are undoubtedly brightening up parkruns all over the UK.
event news
Please check your event's news pages for the most up to date information.
Cancellations this weekend:
- Ashton Court parkrun is cancelled due to the Rock Bristol event in the park
- Bromley parkrun is cancelled due to the Bromley Motoring Pageant
- Canterbury parkrun is cancelled due to another event taking place in the park
- Delamere parkrun is cancelled due to another event taking place in the forest
- Heaton parkrun is cancelled due to the Parklife Festival
- Rother Valley parkrun is cancelled due to another event taking place in the park
- Skipton parkrun is cancelled
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
I have regularly run Cardiff parkrun since December last year. In that time I’ve lost over 7.5 stone in weight.This photograph (by P Stillman) helps tell the story of my journey at parkrun as I started when I wasn't in great shape. The people there never once made me feel out of place. Anyone who has a nervousness or insecurity about attending parkrun need to experience it just once!
The confidence and satisfaction I get every week is fantastic and thats lots to do with the great people who are involved. I want to inspire others to get involved, please share, parkrun is amazing!
Regards,
Simon Davies
Hi parkrun UK
Your PB challenge motivated me and many others I'm sure, to work just that little bit harder to achieve a new time and it worked! I'm 61, relatively new to parkrun and I have the bug but not yet the t-shirt. My target is to reach that 50 Club t-shirt by Christmas and to get as close as possible to an 80% age grading. It's great to still feel challenged even as an oldie! Thank you.
Regards,
Pam Mitchell
Hi parkrun UK
Not ‘just a t-shirt’. After receiving my 50 Club t-shirt last week I thought about what it has meant to me:
1. Lots of new parkrun friends
2. A motivation to run every week come rain or shine
3. A challenge to beat my last PB
4. New places to run in this country and abroad
5. New challenges of volunteering, motivating others and enjoying their success
6. A determination to beat injuries and keep running
7. A chance to compete against others in my age group
8. Encouraging youngsters to enjoy running and keep fit
9. Lots of memories of running with friends and family
For all it has given me, I think parkrun deserves a t-shirt and not me.
Regards,
Sally Jeyes
Hi parkrun UK
We have just returned from Denmark where we were visiting family and whilst there took the opportunity to run in one of the three parkruns in Copenhagen. We were made to feel very welcome despite the miles. We are very proud to be a part of the parkrun family. Whoever you are or wherever you are from it really is just a run with friends.
Regards,
Sam Downton
Hi parkrun UK
I generally run at South Shields and as this week’s parkrun was the ‘PB challenge’ I knew it would be a challenge having knocked two minutes off my previous PB the week before, and it was from the start. As it came to 3k I started to feel quite exhausted, I would like to thank the two ladies who showed their concerns and offered me some water. I pushed myself through the discomfort and managed another PB knocking yet another minute off my time.
Regards,
Scott Berry
Hi parkrun UK
This weekend my son Oliver completed his 10th parkrun something that every parent would be proud of. At only four years old I love the way he gets so excited about parkrun and begs to come along each week. As Event Director of Tonbridge parkrun this is not always possible but we try to find him someone to run with each week. He is particularly looking forward to receiving his 10 Club t-shirt, something that I hope comes soon if only to get him out of the Brazil t-shirt before the World Cup starts next week!
Regards,
Anthony Lester
Hi parkrun UK
I have been involved in Telford parkrun since the set up of the event, and enjoy both running and volunteering. Perhaps I am biased but it is such a friendly atmosphere, and I look forward to being there every week. This week I was running, despite the shock of my former coach and mentor passing away. I somehow managed to set a new women’s course record and get a new PB. I have dedicated this performance to Derek Parker, an excellent coach who will be sadly missed. Huge thanks to Chris Richards and the whole Telford parkrun community, one for making it happen and two for such a warm and welcoming run.
Well done everyone on your PBs!
Regards,
Kim Fawke-Williams
Hi parkrun UK
Having lost five stone so far I was set a challenge to run the Bristol 10k and once ‘in training’ I stumbled across my local parkrun and I love it! So friendly, helpful and free! It really helped my training. I did the Bristol 10k and was incredibly pleased with my achievement. Since doing that I am now working on my pace at parkrun so I just wanted to say many thanks for being so welcoming and long may it continue.
Regards,
Val Sutton
Hi parkrun UK
Saturday mornings are usually parkrundays but on the 25th of May we had to break the routine. I thought I would share the most awe-inspiring 24 hours. Gareth Wilson completed and won the Hardmoors 110. One hundred and thirteen miles in the pouring rain along the Cleveland Way. It was over tough terrain, had over 6,000 metres of climb, was very exposed to the elements and a large part of it was run in the dark. Gareth is a committed parkrunner and has been involved in forging links between the National Trust and the parkrun community. What was he wearing for this amazing race? His 100 parkrun jacket of course!
Regards,
Kate Barker
Hi parkrun UK
Just want to say how fantastic parkrun is. Paul Pascoe and I reached our 100th parkrun last weekend at our home run, Durham. I wasn’t a runner but parkrun has changed that. I actually love running now and have joined Elvet Striders. We've also done a bit of tourism, including parkruns in New Zealand where we attended a few events and even paid for a ferry crossing so we could do the Christmas Day parkrun at Lower Hutt. When we go away for a trip we always check for a nearby parkrun and the first thing we pack is our barcode. DFYB!
Thanks for just being there parkrun. We look forward to our 250th.
Regards,
Angela Coates
parkrunner of the week
Name: Sam Stephenson
Age: 11
Home parkrun: Whitley Bay
Occupation: I go to school
Number of runs: 19
Favourite volunteer role: Making announcements on the megaphone
What do you do at parkruns: I don't mind what job I’m given really. I marshal. I give out tokens. I have helped set up. I have been tail end runner. My favourite job is warning people of potential risks out on the route; like ice in winter. Sometimes the Promenade is busy. I remind runners that we don't have 'right of way'. Once I get my hands on the megaphone everyone in the neighbourhood knows parkrun is about to start! I have also got my mum to be a volunteer. She gives out Finish Tokens at the end.
How has parkrun changed your running: I didn't think I was a distance runner at all but now I can do 5k easily!
What do you like about parkrun: I like to keep fit and I like cheering my friends on. I have been helping in the process of setting up a Whitley Bay Junior parkrun. I can't wait for the junior parkrun to come to Whitley Bay. I know more of my school friends will come to the coast to run it.
Most memorable or funniest parkrun moment: My most memorable parkrun was when I got my '10' Club t-shirt. I felt very proud.
parkrun corner
What’s everyone else’s idea of a perfect parkrunday?
A few weeks ago I took the short drive up the coast to what is probably the North East’s most scenic parkrun, in South Shields. It’s been quite a while since I was last there (a year in fact) at their inaugural event and indeed it was their first birthday.
Since then they have a new course. They now run in the opposite direction as they quickly worked out that whilst it was lovely for the volunteers standing in bright sunshine on the historic Leas, come winter when the wind was blowing off the North Sea it was less lovely. It’s also a little faster being net downhill rather than uphill which I’ve never heard anyone object to.
They also have a new event team as the original Event Director Luke Adams has stepped aside to focus on some of his other projects. Several of the regulars have stepped forward and are doing a brilliant job.
This happens quite often at parkruns, both the course changes, whether planned or enforced and the personnel changes but hopefully the end result is still the same for parkrunners.
Anyway, it was a fabulous day in glorious sunshine with next to no wind and as a result I got an all time parkrun PB on my 100th run and it doesn’t get much better than that!
Cheers
Alister Robson, Event Director of Durham parkrun 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
June
Beckton parkrun 7th
Burnley parkrun 7th
Morden Hall parkrun 7th
Newark parkrun 7th
Bedford parkrun 14th
CranePark parkrun 14th
Tilgate parkrun 14th
Wormwood Scrubs parkrun 14th
Banstead Woods parkrun 21st
Havant parkrun 21st
Heaton Park parkrun 21st
WhitleyBay parkrun 21st
Worcester parkrun 21st
Bury St Edmunds parkrun 28th
Clumber Park parkrun 28th
Colwick parkrun 28th
Derry City parkrun 28th
Dewsbury parkrun 28th
Gladstone parkrun 28th
Ormeau parkrun 28th
Tees Barrage parkrun 28th
Workington parkrun 28th
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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