welcome to the newsletter
In this week’s newsletter Alzheimer’s Research UK inform us, Fitbit share a video, Sweatshop announce their sale, RideLondon ask for your help, and I round up June in UK parkrunning.
So, June's been and gone, Wimbledon has started, Le Tour kicks off on Saturday and the sun is blazing - summer has well and truly arrived. Reflecting on the past month in parkrun UK it's been a pretty amazing time with plenty of positive change and great things on the horizon.
On the 9th of June we welcomed Fitbit into the parkrun UK family, an announcement that followed many months of hard work behind the scenes and strengthened our position as a movement committed to improving the health and wellbeing of its community. As someone with first-hand experience of living both an extremely active life and an extremely sedentary life I can personally testify to the benefits of being active every day, not that I am right now. I also feel that there is an important difference between being fit and being healthy and just because you might be parkrun PBing that doesn't mean you're healthy. I try to lead by example and spend most of my working time at a standing desk but as work and family commitments take priority over other stuff I find being active more and more challenging. I've been a committed Fitbitter for nearly a year now and have found the social aspect hugely motivating in terms of increasing my activity levels; so... if you fancy adding to my motivation and making yourself feel better by outstepping me (right now my '7 Day Steps' are a paltry 48k) then drop me a Fitbit friend request here.
The other major news is that the Tribesports parkrun milestone t-shirts are ready to go and the ordering system will be live, for those who have been waiting the longest, at some point tomorrow. Tribesports, Wiggle and the parkrun Global team have worked tirelessly for a very long time to make this happen and we're all super excited. Please see this press release for more information and thanks again for your patience and understanding over the past year or so.
I'd also like to draw your attention to the 'volunteer awards' section of our website. With close to 400 volunteer teams around the UK delivering amazing, free, weekly, timed runs in areas of open space there are now regular instances of those teams being recognised at a local level for contributing to their communities. This is great to see and where possible we like to celebrate their achievements, so if your local team has received, or been nominated for, an award then please do encourage them to let us know via this form.
Finally, the stats. Since my last newsletter we've launched a further ten Saturday events and three junior events taking our total number of locations to 394 (343 5k events and 51 junior 2k events). With five more of each already in the diary to start in July we should have well over 400 before we speak again.
Happy running,
Tom
dementia: get the facts
Dementia is one of our greatest health challenges and one in three people over 65 will die with it, yet there’s still a lot of misunderstanding surrounding a condition which affects 850,000 people across the UK today.
Below are some of the key things you need to know…
Dementia isn’t an inevitable part of getting older
Dementia is not a normal part of ageing, it’s caused by brain diseases. In fact Alzheimer’s, the most common disease behind dementia, kills nerve cells in the brain, causing it to shrink at 400% the rate of normal ageing. While it’s true the majority of people with dementia are over 65, over 40,000 people in the UK are under that age. In rare cases, dementia can affect people in their 30s and 40s.
Dementia is more than just memory loss
Most people associate dementia with memory loss, but the condition affects people in a wide variety of ways. That might include changes in behaviour, confusion and disorientation, delusions and hallucinations, difficulty communicating and problems judging speeds and distances. Everyone’s experience of dementia is different.
Dementia has a bigger impact on women
With more and more women living well into their 80s, half a million women in the UK are now living with dementia. The condition is the leading cause of death of women in the UK. Women are also more likely to take on unpaid caring roles for other people with dementia and more than twice as likely as men to provide intensive, 24-hour care.
Dementia can be defeated
Dementia is caused by diseases and we’ve beaten diseases in the past – that’s why we believe dementia will be defeated through research. Alzheimer’s Research UK is investing in the greatest scientific minds to help build a detailed picture of what happens in the brain in these diseases; this is essential for improving diagnosis and developing new treatments. The charity has funded over £62 million of pioneering research across the UK into dementia to help unlock the answers.
For more facts on dementia, including symptoms, diagnosis, treatments, causes and research, visit www.alzheimersresearchuk.org. If you have any questions about dementia or would like to get involved in research, contact the Dementia Research Infoline on 0300 111 5 111. Please seek medical advice from a health professional if you have any concerns about yourself or a loved one.
Dr Laura Phipps
Science Communications Manager
check out our video
We’re excited to share with you our first ever parkrun Fitbit video! This video really captures the spirit of our partnership, the power of community running and our collective mission to promote a healthy, active lifestyle. Four-time Ironman World Champion, Fitbit ambassador and parkun Head of Participation, Chrissie Wellington, even makes an appearance! Click here to view the video and let us know what you think.
With the summer holidays almost upon us, it’s time to get #holidayfit with Fitbit. Don’t forget that you can still take advantage of our exclusive parkrun discount of £15 on any tracker plus free shipping. With summer in full swing there has never been a more perfect time to get outside, have fun and smash those daily goals. Remember you can tweet us or leave us a comment on our Facebook page using the hashtag #parkrunfit to join in with the discussions with fellow parkrunners and Fitbit users. Happy stepping everyone!
Sweatshop’s half price sale
Sweatshop are currently offering our customers a treat, with up to 50% off major brands through our online and in-store summer sale.
The promotion includes products from our specialist performance running shoes collection, and includes all our key brands. On top of this, if you sign up to our newsletter through the website, you will also get a 15% off discount code to use in the sale. This also entitles you to receive our newsletters along with exclusive deals and offers.
For terms and conditions, please visit the website at www.sweatshop.co.uk and take a look at the great deals on offer.
To keep ahead of the latest launches from sweatshop.co.uk, take a look at our Facebook and Twitter pages. Check out the Sweatshop Run Hub for all the latest running news and advice.
flag wavers required for Wiggo
The legendary Sir Bradley Wiggins and the Manx Missile Mark Cavendish are just two of the star names that top the bill at this year’s Prudential RideLondon, the world’s greatest festival of cycling. Now the organisers are looking for volunteers to be involved in a variety of roles across the weekend of Saturday the 1st and Sunday the 2nd of August. Training and support will be provided to ensure you have an enjoyable day/weekend helping more than 95,000 people have fun on their bikes in the five different events in London and Surrey.
There’s a role for everyone, whether you fancy being involved in helping 70,000 riders to enjoy the traffic-free Prudential RideLondon FreeCycle event in central London on Saturday the 1st of August or to play your part in the Prudential RideLondon London-Surrey events on Sunday the 2nd of August.
As a Prudential RideLondon volunteer, you’ll find yourself at the heart of the action, working behind the scenes and on the frontline to help both the participants and the public to have a weekend to remember. So if you’re a keen cyclist, a local resident or just love to volunteer, this is your opportunity to be part of this amazing event.
There’s a variety of roles for volunteers including wayfinders, pedestrian crossing point marshals, start marshals, yellow flag marshals, rider hub support and more. Full training will be provided as required. And you’ll get an official t-shirt, cap, bag, water bottle and lunch too!
Roles are available in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Kingston, Dorking, Leatherhead, Esher, Westcott and in other parts of London and Surrey.
Find out more and sign up at www.PrudentialRideLondon.co.uk/volunteers.
Win a Bike!
As a thank you to all of the wonderful volunteers, the organisers of Prudential RideLondon will be holding a prize draw with a top prize of a brand-new bike from Wiggle!
The Verenti Insight 0.4 is a full carbon top-of-the-range bicycle which has received rave reviews. To be in with a chance of winning this great prize, all you need to do is register as a volunteer, choose and attend your shift on either Saturday the 1st or Sunday the 2nd of August 2015. There will be lots of spot prizes too.
Terms and conditions apply.
parkrun population
Here are this week’s summary statistics for parkrun UK (including junior parkrun)
Number of runners - 70,648
Number of volunteers - 6,239
Number of first timers - 10,644
Number of PBs - 13,248
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
I've been running for more than two years and Jessica, my girlfriend, has only ever known me as someone who runs. This year, to my great happiness, Jessica said she would like to start running and after nine weeks of the Couch to 5k programme, I felt incredibly proud and honoured to be the one who ran alongside her as she ran her first 5k at Woodhouse Moor parkrun. Well done, Jessica… This girl can, and that girl has!
Curtis Parker-Milnes
I started parkrunning with my arthritic 12 year old daughter Emily at the beginning of this year. When we started she managed 44 minutes and struggled to complete the course. On Saturday she reached the milestone of 10 runs in just over 30 minutes. We have become closer as a result of running together and her confidence has grown. She has gone from somebody who used to dread sports days to somebody who now attacks the 800 and 1,200 metres and is hoping for a medal! She loves the community spirit and the cheering across the line. Thank you parkrun you should be proud!
Neil Brewster
Good news from Nonsuch parkrun in Surrey. This is a picture of my mum Chris Derrick starting the 199th Nonsuch parkrun on Saturday the 27th of June. There were 44 first timers and 138 people recorded new personal bests chasing after our pacers. After waving the flag Mum set off on her own 100th parkrun. Mum is an inspiration to her family and other parkrunners running in rain, snow and shine. Good luck and best wishes to the dedicated team who will make our 200th event as brilliant as the first. It is wonderful to be a part of something so marvellous. Thank you parkrun.
Louise McAllister
A few weeks ago I found my best friend from junior school, Amy Sanders, at Rushmoor parkrun. We had every intention of keeping in touch forever on that very tearful day that we left year six but somehow we hadn't seen or spoken to each other in 10 years. Last night we finally met up for a few drinks and it was like we'd never been apart, we reminisced and laughed so hard. parkrun has many benefits for which I am so grateful. However, this was one benefit that I certainly wasn't expecting; I am thrilled to have my old best friend back and for that I just really wanted to say thank you.
Caroline Leppard
Last Saturday we celebrated our 3rd Anniversary at Gladstone parkrun which was all the more important as Glen Turner was stepping down as Event Director having started the event back in 2012. We had prizes, awards, cake, fruit, gazebos, drinks and a record-breaking 213 runners. What more could we ask? How about two time Olympian and parkrun world record holder, Andy Baddeley (13min 48 secs), to present the awards. Glen just happened to be able to convince Andy to join us for the event. The morning was fantastic and it was a great send off for Glen who many parkrunners in South East England and beyond will know well as he has helped set up many parkruns locally over the past few years. Everyone at Gladstone parkrun and beyond has greatly benefited from Glen’s dedication and support and we wish him well as he moves on and continues to spread the word of parkrun.
Charles Marks
I wanted to thank you for your tribute for Ron Clarke. It is a great loss and makes me sad. As an Aussie living over here, I forget about all those great runners who inspired me when I was a kid but Glen has just reminded me of them. I have taken up running again and have done three parkruns, as well as going out on my own and running a few races here and there. I went to my daughter's sports day today and felt like a kid again watching them run around the track. And to top it off Jessica Ennis-Hill was there training which is so inspiring for their generation.
Emma Ashley
I normally run at Bushy but was going to miss the run on the 20th of June because I was doing a job near Melbourne in Australia. The work got put back to Monday so as I was already in Melbourne I made my way to Albert Park for my first ever overseas parkrun. It is a excellent course, one circuit around a beautiful lake and afterwards I was invited to join the regulars for breakfast. The cafe they went to was brilliant, packed with parkrunners and staff serving masses of eggs and coffee in many different combinations, everyone was so friendly. parkrun is great for bringing people together! Only downside - it was very cold, I'm the under-dressed one in a 50 shirt on the right.
Bob Dean
Redway Runners in Milton Keynes have beginner’s groups, as part of which the runners take part in parkrun at the end of the course. One of the beginners, Marta, is from Madrid and is a secondary school PE teacher. She moved to the UK four years ago and only gets home occasionally so misses her family. She has started to regain her fitness by being a being part of Redway Runners. Her friend in the club, Rachel, wanted to do something special for her birthday, which was on parkrunday, so she arranged new running trainers and for her brother and his girlfriend to surprise her by waiting for her at the finish line with banners and balloons.
Martin Lawrence
Thank you to 'Adam' from Keswick Parkrun who went out of his way to kindly return my son’s coat to us after we accidentally left it at Keswick parkrun. You are a star! We were parkrun tourists at Keswick this weekend and would recommend this parkrun as it is in an absolutely beautiful setting.
Ellie Eastwood
Rebel Runners Medway devised a challenge for last Saturday, when our home parkrun at Great Lines in north Kent was closed. We had no idea how big it would grow and how exciting it would be! 76 Rebel Runners and 2 dogs attended 34 events nationwide, including every parkrun in Kent, with runners from 16 age groups, from J10 through to V75 - 79. We ran 380 kilometres, and travelled 7,480 miles for the round trip to the events, plus two boat trips (Isle of Wight ferries).
Cathy Rahmanzadeh
parkrunner of the week
Name: Oliver Lester
Club: None
Age: 5
Home parkrun: Tonbridge
Occupation: School Boy
Number of runs: 50
Favourite volunteer role: Token Sorting
What do you do at parkruns: I help Daddy set up by carrying the signs and posts to the park, I then run around playing with my friends before the start of the run. I can't always run with Daddy but am lucky that there are lots of other people that are happy to take me around. We talk about school, trains and the duck on the lake. I always do a sprint finish and like over taking as many people as I can.
How has parkrun changed your running: Daddy took me to my first parkrun when I was four so I hadn't really done any 'organised' running before then, I have now ran in several races including the Westminster Mile. My first sports day at school is coming up soon which I am looking forward to.
What do you like about parkrun: I like going to the park and playing with the other children, I like trying to beat my PB each week but most of all I like eating cake afterwards in the cafe.
Most memorable or funniest parkrun moment: I like it when I get PBs and also when I run with friends. When we have fancy dress days they are also a lot of fun, last time I got dressed up as Spiderman. When I did my 50th run last week Mummy made some chocolate brownies that I got to hand out which was fun.
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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.
You can read the latest junior parkrun newsletter here.
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
July
Basingstoke parkrun 4th
Riddlesdown parkrun 4th
Southampton parkrun 4th
St Helens parkrun 4th
Stewart parkrun 4th
Arrow Valley parkrun 11th
Blackhill parkrun 11th
Riverside parkrun 11th
Sheffield Hallam parkrun 11th
Cambridge junior parkrun 12th
Andover parkrun 18th
Black Park parkrun 18th
Bryn Bach parkrun 18th
Burnage parkrun 18th
Clair parkrun 18th
Falkirk parkrun 18th
Kingsbury Water parkrun 18th
Oakwell Hall parkrun 18th
Roundshaw Downs parkrun 18th
Bromsgrove junior parkrun 19th
Barking parkrun 25th
Blandford parkrun 25th
Brueton parkrun 25th
Dartford parkrun 25th
Grovelands parkrun 25th
Nostell Priory parkrun 25th
Oldham parkrun 25th
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
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