welcome to the newsletter
In this week’s newsletter the countdown is on for the Face of Run Hackney, Alzheimer's Research UK invite you to run for them, there’s an opportunity to spectate at the Night of the 10,000m PBs, our book has been shortlisted for an award and I hand over the reigns.
Over the ten-and-a-bit years we’ve been operating, this newsletter has developed from a weekly thank-you note to less than 100 people into what might just be the world’s most read running prose, arriving in almost three-quarters-of-a-million email inboxes every Thursday. For the first eight or so years it was penned by our esteemed founder; here’s the first one I ever received, from the 9th of August 2007:
Dear Tom,
This is a reminder that all our time trials take place on Saturday morning at 09:00. If you have registered for one event then you never need register again.
The weekly newsletter is now available on the UKTT News website.
In this week's newsletter you can find the following:
1. What going on in the parks?
All the race reports available on the web site
Please remember to run, walk or cycle to the park and NOT to use your car if at all possible.
Regards,
Paul Sinton-Hewitt
Unfortunately our online newsletter archive only goes as far back as 2009 so I have no idea what was going on in the parks that week, but suffice to say I’d just experienced my first ever parkrun (or Bushy Park Time Trial as it was known then) and was well and truly hooked on this wonderful running movement.
Fast-forward eight years and here I am, writing the weekly leader column for this newsletter, in the privileged position of leading that movement in the UK. Unfortunately however, the more we grow the less my role is about the fun, engaging, grassroots stuff and the more it revolves around defining and implementing our overall strategy and supporting our brilliant team of staff to do what they do so well alongside tens of thousands of equally brilliant volunteers. At over one million registrations, 70,000 weekly runners, 6,000 weekly volunteers and 360+ event locations - growing at 100 new locations and 400,000 new registrations per year – keeping parkrun UK on the straight and narrow is the most challenging project I’ve ever been part of. It’s time therefore for me to hand over the writing reigns for all but one week of the month, partly to give me a little more time to focus on the bigger picture and mostly to give you lot the chance to hear from some of the amazing parkrunners out there. From now on I’ll be penning the first leader column of each month and the rest of the time we’ll be bringing you other (more?) interesting content from around the parkrun world.
See you in June,
Tom
P.S. For the purposes of historical accuracy I refrained from editing the word ‘race’ from Paul’s original newsletter. We all know it’s really a run, but I’ll save that discussion for another day.
P.P.S. You can read this week’s junior parkrun newsletter here.
face of Vitality Run Hackney
The countdown is on for Danielle with the Vitality Run Hackney Half Marathon taking place this Sunday! This week Danielle shares her thoughts and motivation for other runners taking part in the event:
“With thousands of runners taking part and some amazing support throughout the course from friends, family and locals, make sure to take everything in and let the crowds’ cheers carry you if you feel any demons creeping in.”
Follow Danielle to the start line.
Want to achieve a Half Marathon challenge?
Be part of the Vitality Run Series - a series featuring eight of the UK's most exciting running events, brought to you by Vitality. Get active and take on a new challenge - run one, run two or run the whole Series.
A Vitality Run Series event may provide the motivation you need to become a fitter and healthier you in 2015.
Find out more here.
London Marathon offer!
Can’t wait to discover whether you’ll be taking your place on the start line for next year’s Virgin Money London Marathon? Alzheimer’s Research UK is giving two lucky runners the chance to secure their places by the end of this month!
To be in with a chance of getting your hands on one of our early-bird Golden Bond places, simply fill out our online application form, telling us why you want to run the Virgin Money London Marathon 2016 for Alzheimer’s Research UK and pledge to raise a suggested minimum of £2,000 in sponsorship.
Even if you’re not successful in gaining one of these two places, your application will be included and considered in our main allocation once the main marathon ballot is announced in October 2015.
As mentioned in last week’s newsletter, we had 97 people running for us in this year’s event, including 13 parkrunners! Next year we’d love even more of you pulling on your trainers to help fund more vital, cutting-edge research.
The #TeamARUKparkrun movement is growing, with parkrunners raising funds for pioneering dementia research at events throughout the UK. By signing-up, you’ll receive an ARUK/parkrun-branded running vest and support from our fantastic fundraising team.
For those running the Virgin Money London Marathon for Alzheimer’s Research UK, you’ll also be invited to our pre-marathon training day and post-marathon party. Two-time Olympic Marathon runner and Commonwealth Games medallist Liz Yelling will also be on-hand to offer expert training advice. As ever, our army of supporters will be out in force on the day, cheering you on as you make your way around the iconic course.
To find out more about running for Alzheimer’s Research UK at next year’s Virgin Money London Marathon, email parkrun@alzheimersresearchuk.org. To apply for charity places in lots of other prestigious events, discover great volunteering and fundraising opportunities and share your reasons for supporting Alzheimer’s Research UK to raise vital awareness, visit www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/parkrun.
Miranda Johnson
Head of Corporate and Community Partnerships
Alzheimer’s Research UK
night of the 10,000m PBs
In 2013 Highgate Harriers sought to inspire the next Mo Farah or Paula Radcliffe over the fabled 10,000m distance by creating the Night of the 10,000m PBs. They decided this event would employ a new approach to engage spectators and create a unique atmosphere for athletes. The event, free to spectators, allowed them to stand as close as lane three when cheering multiple races as club athletes sought to make the next step up, and to add to the atmosphere the club brought live music and a licensed bar.
Such was the inaugural success that the following year British Athletics incorporated their national championships into the elite ‘A’ races. The 2014 Night of the 10,000m PBs had 1,000 spectators cheering as Jo Pavey qualified for the European Championships where she went on to win gold and later said on camera that the lane three crowd were louder than her Olympic 2012 final!
On Saturday the 16th of May Highgate Harriers would like to invite the parkrun community to share in the third instalment of this event and be inspired from close range as athletes run the equivalent of two 14 minute parkrun courses back to back. This year the event boasts international athletes with men hunting 28 minutes and women 32 minutes, and includes the female parkrun world record holder Hannah Walker.
In addition to the track action there will be a samba drumming band, back straight bar, hand-picked motivational tunes of the athletes played by DJ Tim Soar and ex-10,000m world record holder David Bedford will be a VIP guest. The event racing includes inter-schools relays at 4pm, followed by six 10,000m races from 5pm culminating at 8.15pm and 9pm with the British and English Championship Men's and Women's races.
Details of the venue as well as a video showcasing the event are on the England Athletics website.
parkrun page-turner
We are absolutely delighted to announce that the photo book 'parkrun: A Celebration' has been shortlisted as Illustrated Book of the Year by the British Sports Book Awards.
Visit our online store to grab a copy for yourself!
parkrun population
Here are this week’s summary statistics for parkrun UK (including junior parkrun)
Number of runners - 70,332
Number of volunteers - 5,951
Number of first timers - 10,452
Number of PBs - 18,098
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
Visiting Eire's Bere Island parkrun involved a ferry from Castletownbere to Bere Island. On arrival, our ferry pilot, complete with running shoes, crammed every runner, baby buggy, and dog into waiting minibuses, hopped in, and we set off up twisting, steep, narrow roads to the start. The course offered spectacular vistas, running on a decaying singletrack road around rugged Atlantic-dominated headland up and down fearsome hills. Tough and superbly rewarding. Post-run the esoteric character continued.
Mainland runners were urged to Murphy's cafe/post-office/general store for tea, coffee and scones. No persuading necessary!
The parkrun phenomenon grips the island; nowhere have I witnessed parkrun ethos as utterly embraced. A lifetime experience - simple, bonkers, infinitely memorable. I can't wait to return!
Emma Smith
I started Chelmsford parkrun in May 2013 after months of persuasion from my wife. I immediately got the bug and I now bore friends and family with parkrun talk. It's had such a huge positive impact on my life. Over three years I have become quicker and even though I love Chelmsford I found myself looking at other venues for fast times. A PB on holiday in Poole, tactically planned to visit the fast flat parkrun route, soon turned to disappointment as I thought I would never run that fast at my local Chelmsford course (it has a small hill) or so I thought. The next week, a new PB at Chelmsford faster than Poole. Brilliant! There's no place like your home parkrun.
Russell Davies
On Saturday I ran my 25th parkrun on my 25th birthday. My sister swapped her usual Basingstoke parkrun to join me at Harcourt Hill. We usually run separately but she ran alongside me and spurred me on to a new PB! Afterwards we had cake and presents, including the parkrun book, which I'm very much enjoying reading. Neither of us were runners growing up but we both wouldn't be without it now. That's all thanks to parkrun and its welcoming, fun and encouraging atmosphere - thank you so much!
Claire Hazleton
A work colleague told me about York parkrun and I thought that one day I might try it. A year ago I attended my first one. I never thought I would enjoy parkrun so much and I've met some lovely people. parkrun has helped me to get a few PBs and my running had improved. Both runners and volunteers are friendly and encourage you to keep going. York parkrun has continued to continue to grow and it’s a great atmosphere. I love my Saturday parkrun.
Rachel McMahon
Four years ago, I had a major heart attack and never thought I'd be able to run again. 18 months ago I discovered parkrun. I'm now a regular at Bryn Bach parkrun, racking up 60 runs so far and my PB has come down by five minutes since I started too. parkrun has given me back the confidence I lost when I was ill, and has introduced me to a fantastic running club where I've made some great friends. The running is going so well that I'm taking part in the Berlin 25k race next weekend with my wife whilst raising money for the British Heart Foundation. I'd never have done this without parkrun!
Steve Hamer
In May 2013 I registered for parkrun, thinking I'd take part for a few weeks and get fit enough to run an event I’d entered without walking. The friendly, supportive atmosphere took me completely by surprise and soon I was also joining in other runs during the week. Bitten by the running bug, I began entering 10k events and in August 2014 ran my first trail marathon, swiftly followed by two more and then the Stevenage marathon in November. In 2015 I am endeavouring to run/jog/walk a total of 2015 kilometres, including 5k, 10k, half-marathon and marathon events. Thanks to the amazing support from everyone at Thetford parkrun, I have achieved goals which at the age of 65 I never dreamed possible.
Desmonde Talbot
Before I started parkrun I had been jogging a bit, so pretty quickly I found it difficult to get new PBs. It's surprising how a little break can impact on times and recently I've been trying to get back to times I was achieving when I started and so I was really grateful to the volunteer pacers this week at Southampton parkrun who helped me get what I'm calling an RPB (recent personal best) achieving sub-21 minutes for the first time in almost a year. Pacing is half the struggle and I'm really grateful to the community who come together to allow Southampton parkrun to happen!
Tom Candy
Huge thanks to Sarah, Run Director at Poole parkrun, and Mike Howard, who is a doctor, for shielding me from probably 300 runners after I crashed to the ground after misjudging a bollard on Saturday. Within literally seconds they were there to diagnose the damage, mostly to my hand, and help me to my feet. Once the shock had subsided we completed the run, even managing a spurt at the end. When we finished so many people came up to me to ask if I was OK, which is amazing as I was a visitor and didn't know anyone there. That is the wonderful spirit of parkrun.
Pam Mitchell
I went to Tollcross parkrun on their second anniversary. It was my second visit but my first finish. Last time I was there, on an icy January morning, I was suffering with a back injury and had to give up after the first lap. I've never spent much time with a tail runner before but he and the other volunteers and runners were brilliant, and I couldn't have felt better cared for. It was a delight to go back to the same venue for my first parkrun in four months and share the celebration. The atmosphere was so generous and welcoming and the cakes were impressive! It was such a relief to be running again, and to have wonderful people to run with.
Jon Nimmo
I only started running three years ago and regularly went to parkrun events but I struggled to run the distance and usually stopped three or four times. I joined my local running club, Springburn Harriers, and now often compete in 5k and 10k races and I've also ran 10 half marathons. Last week I completed the London marathon and ran the full distance. I loved the experience and can't wait to put my toe on the line in my next marathon in October. I'm now a regular at Springburn parkrun and am looking forward to being part of their first birthday celebrations on the 16th of May. parkruns are fantastic events and have definitely helped me in achieving my dream of completing a marathon
Gillian Wallis
parkrunner of the week
Name: Garry Bowe
Club: Royton Road Runners
Age: 44
Home parkrun: Oldham parkrun
Occupation: Senior Manufacturing Engineer
Number of runs: 52
Favourite volunteer role: Pacer
What do you do at parkruns: I am normally one of the first to get to the Lions Den at Alexander Park, Oldham and I have a chat with everyone as they arrive. If anyone wants a pacer to help them chase a PB my services are always available as I get a bigger kick out of helping someone else get a PB than I do my own. I also enjoy checking everyone is okay on the way round and offering encouragement and support.
How has parkrun changed your running: parkrun has pushed my running on to another level, having started in March 2014 my 5k times have dropped by over two minutes as a direct result of these fantastic weekly timed runs. It has also helped me keep on with my challenge to run 100 miles every month.
What do you like about parkrun: I really enjoy the social side of parkrun. I have made so many friends who I believe will be friends for life and we have some great laughs in the café every week. Saturday mornings are my favourite time of the week. The way that parkun brings people together from all parts of the community is amazing. It breaks down barriers and is a totally inclusive event and I am proud to be a small part of it.
Most memorable or funniest parkrun moment: The day my daughter Emma came and ran with me at parkrun is my most memorable day, she instantly fell in love with it too. She is still improving and is fitting her running around her college work and plans to continue when she heads off to University this coming September to study teaching. She has even joined my running club Royton Road Runners. I am a proud dad every time I see her cross the finish line whether at a race or a parkrun.
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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!
children at parkrun
We welcome children at parkrun. Please note that those under the age of 11 must be within arm's reach of a parent, guardian or designated adult of the parents' choice whilst attending 5k parkrun events. Children aged 4 to 14 can run unaccompanied at our junior parkrun events.
volunteering at parkrun
Every parkrun event relies on volunteers and in 2014 alone over 50,000 of you came forward 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.
cancellations
For cancellations please check your event’s news page for the most up to date information.
upcoming anniversaries
May
Bedfont Lakes parkrun 9th
Eastleigh parkrun 9th
Hampstead Heath parkrun 9th
Pegwell Bay parkrun 9th
Pendle parkrun 9th
Preston parkrun 9th
Rother Valley parkrun 9th
Springburn parkrun 9th
Marple junior parkrun 10th
Buckingham parkrun 16th
Camperdown parkrun 16th
Greenock parkrun 16th
MUSA Cookstown parkrun 16th
Queen Elizabeth parkrun 16th
Wanstead Flats parkrun 16th
Brockwell junior parkrun 17th
Huddersfield junior parkrun 17th
Mile End junior parkrun 17th
Bognor Regis parkrun 23rd
Brockenhurst parkrun 23rd
Cleethorpes parkrun 23rd
Falls parkrun 23rd
Marple parkrun 23rd
Albert parkrun 30th
Comber parkrun 30th
Crystal Palace parkrun 30th
Hackney Marshes parkrun 30th
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.
official charity partner
our sponsors
Helping people be the best they can be
For 40 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
Health insurance that rewards you for living well.
Vitality is insurance that rewards you for being healthy. It's there to protect you when things go wrong unexpectedly but it's also there to help you lead a healthier life - meaning you don't have to claim to be able to benefit. If you keep well, then you're less likely to claim. That means it costs us less to look after you. We think that if we're saving money, you should benefit from that. So as you get healthier, we offer you discounts to encourage you to be healthy, rewards to keep you motivated and to help you rest and relax, and cashback so you've got more money to spend on doing things you love. Find out more about Vitality
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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