ATHLETICS

announced that events throughout the world have been cancelled through the month of May.

The situation is being carefully monitored in all countries with some slowly relaxing restrictions.

But when the events at Porthcawl and Maesteg will resume remains unclear, especially as a cautious approach is being adopted.

Ambassadors around the world are being invited to participate in remote conversations, but it will take sometime before the operation is completed.

Meanwhile, a Parkrun name change in June 2017 – involving the volunteer Tail Runner being renamed Tail Walker – has made a vast difference to people’s conception of events.

While the media, including the Glamorgan Gazette, concentrate on top performances each week in the results service, there’s far more to Parkrun than either winning events or times.

However, most people involved in sport of any kind dread finishing last, especially if they are ridiculed, and in extreme cases it can lead to them calling it a day.

But in Parkrun no-one needs to worry about being last to complete the course, being too slow or generally feeling isolated.

The reason being is because at every event worldwide there’s a volunteer Tail Walker who is always the last person to cross the finishing-line.

From the outset of Parkrun in 2004 – Bushy Park in Teddington, London launched the event – participation as opposed to speed has been embedded into principles with no cut-off point.

Competitors can either walk, jog or run at whatever speed suits them, and are safe in the knowledge that they are always welcome.

But that isn’t the only problem, as some people can be put off by the prospect of a 5K course.

But the introduction of the Tail Walker in 2017 proved a watershed moment for Parkrun throughout the world.

It’s become compulsory at all 2,000 events across the world, and it forms an important symbol of commitment to all competitors however they choose to tackle Parkrun.

Some events have more than one

Tail Walker and in the three years since they were introduced, 110,796 people have donned high vis vests to volunteer for this important role.

People walk for a range of reasons – to remain healthy being the prime motive – while others adopt a more leisurely pace, like to stop and have a chat or even support fellow runners.

First steps to a more active lifestyle – highlighted by the Couch to 5K initiative – is another reason for walkers increasing from just 2,500 in 2012 to a staggering 140,000 last year with South Africa at 28% possessing the highest percentage of walkers.

All this means that there’s a home at Parkrun for everyone, a place where you can complete some or all of a 5K on your terms – and know there’s always a Tail Walker behind you!