While most people were probably nursing a hangover on New Year’s Day, wishing that they hadn’t had that 8th Sambuca, I was doing the only thing I could possibly do on the first day of a new year, a double Parkrun. Let me explain…

February 20th 2016. David Cameron announced the date of the UK’s EU referendum to decide on the future of our EU membership, I wonder how that panned out… It was also the day I did my first Parkrun, at Telford. I started running in October 2015, having only ever done the occasional run before but never regularly sticking to it. This time, I managed to keep to a consistent running week and distance, albeit not very far. It felt good despite just being a quick run around the block. I then heard from some like minded people at my workplace about something called Parkrun. At this point, I wasn’t well connected with any running clubs or communities either online or offline, otherwise I may have come across it sooner.

For a bit of background on Parkrun, it was founded by Paul Sinton-Hewitt in 2004. He was actually in a bad place due to being injured, so meeting for a run in the park was a great way for him to run with running friends and socialise. It became a regular meet and a timed run, initially with pen and paper. It was something very local and personal to the small group who initially took part and I don’t think any of them could have imagined how much it would grow and how slick and well organised it would become through an army of volunteers and run directors.

The event became popular in the running community and suddenly more and more individual events kept popping up and still continue to do so. As we see an increase in people taking up running, so does the desire for Parkrun and new sets of runners, volunteers and organisers get together on a spare bit of parkland and a new Parkrun is formed. As I type this, there are officially 668 events in the UK alone with over a 1000 more across 24 other countries, this coupled with the super streamlined way the event is timed and the wealth of statistics available, makes Parkrun a truly global club that I love being a part of.

“With nearly 700 events in the UK alone, you’re never that far away from a Parkrun”

Everyone has a local Parkrun which they more than likely attend every week or so but one of the great things about Parkrun is that you can be a Parkrun ‘tourist’ and visit any Parkrun event you like in any country, whether you happen to find yourself in a particular location or just fancy trying as many Parkruns as you can. A personal goal of mine is to run the Bushy Park event which is considered to be the definitive Parkrun as it was the first.

When I started Parkrun, I was instantly hooked. It was the first time I’d run with other people and in any kind of ‘race’ environment, even though Parkrun is all about getting together and enjoying yourself. I did my first run in 30:20 and it was the first time I’d run a 5k distance as my weekly runs usually consisted of about 3.5k. It was a few weeks until I returned due to various other commitments but once I did, I made the effort to be there every week from then on and within a few weeks I was running 28 then 26 minutes.

As of today, I have completed 114 Parkruns over 3 years, across 16 different locations covering 570km and 18 PBs, but Parkrun means much more to me than these statistics.

I’m pretty sure if it wasn’t for Parkrun I would never have continued running in the way that I have, putting at risk all of the fantastic achievements and even disappointments that have made up my current running journey. My first 10K race. Pushing myself to half marathon distance. The feeling of sheer delight at that new PB. The unforgiving and life dominating experience that is marathon training. Getting injured 4 weeks before that marathon but coming out the other side. Joining a running club. Meeting lots of lovely and likeminded people with the same passion along the way. Inspiring those close to me and even people I’ve never met.

Those are a few of my favourite things…

There are so many amazing things about Parkrun but here are some of my favourites:

• It’s FREE! – Yes, it really is. Just sign up on the Parkrun website where you will be given your unique barcode, this is how you get your time after each run. It also keeps a record of your stats so you can analyse to your heart’s content!

• It’s timed! – Thanks to the awesome team of volunteers at each Parkrun, as long as you have your barcode, you get a time which gets logged against your profile along with everyone else.

• You’re never more than 2 miles from a Parkrun! – OK, I made this up. Although, with nearly 700 events in the UK alone, you’re never that far away from a Parkrun and it’s a great way to explore a new place and meet some new people.

• Milestones! – A favourite for a lot of people is that once you hit the milestones of 50, 100, 250 and 500 Parkruns, you get a spangly Parkrun t-shirt absolutely FREE! That’s right, you’ve earned it.

• Double the fun! – As I mentioned at the beginning, New Year’s Day is the only time you can run 2 Parkruns in one day. With staggered start times in some locations, why not join the thousands who partake in this unique achievement every year? Two closer to that t-shirt in one morning!

• It’s the best start to the day! – I know a lot of people, especially those of the younger persuasion, love to party on a Friday night, therefore Saturday mornings are a bit of a write-off. However, for me, there is nothing better than getting out of bed early to run at 9am with the rest of the day waiting for you, safe in the knowledge that you’ve done a good dose of hard exercise long before most people have opened the bacon.

• I belong to Parkrun! – Everyone at Parkrun shares the same passion for running, from the ‘elites’ right the way to the first timers. This gives you a great sense of community, like you’re a member of this exclusive club, spreading the Parkrun word. You will always see people running together, sharing a coffee afterwards, encouraging other runners and doing so with a smile on their face.

I could go on and on but I won’t. The fact that this last week, 193,638 people took part in Parkrun across the UK alone speaks for itself. The impact Parkrun has had on me as a runner and a person has been huge. It’s been there during some great times and it’s been there during some dark times, when all I wanted to do was shut myself away, my love for running and the existence of Parkrun, meant that I didn’t. You’re always running with other people, even if you’re there on your own. I’m lucky enough to share Parkrun with my girlfriend who loves running as well and if I finish before her, I get to cheer her over the finish line and maybe take a cheeky photo! We shouldn’t forget either that each event is only possible thanks to thousands of local volunteers and race directors who make it all happen EVERY week. 

So now you know what Parkrun is why not find your local one and give it a go this weekend? I promise you won’t regret it. Go on, 193,638 people can’t be wrong can they?

Nick