Hundreds stride out on Parkrun
EVENT CELEBRATES FIRST BIRTHDAY
STORTHES Hall Park celebrates the first anniversary of its Parkrun this weekend.
The free 5km run, organised by volunteers, is held as part of a national push to encourage grassroots fitness.
Hundreds of events are held up and down the country every Saturday morning, including at Greenhead Park in Huddersfield.
Starting at 9am, the Storthes Hall parkrun in Kirkburton has no age limits and is attracting around 100 runners each week, aged from six to 79.
Today marks the first anniversary for the Storthes Hall parkrun through the 44-acre park and woodlands.
Since its launch the event has attracted more than 2,100 runners. Collectively, the athletes have achieved 828 personal bests and run a total of 21,900 kilometres between them.
The average run time is 31.31 minutes but the fastest time clocked was an impressive 17.04 minutes. The eldest participant is Dorothy Jackson in the 75-79 age category.
Jon Burdon, one of the Storthes Hall parkrun’s event directors, described parkrun as probably one of the biggest movements in the UK for encouraging long-term life changing health benefits, having found a niche that wasn’t filled by gyms or athletics clubs.
Parkrun is free for anyone who wants to join in and is organised each week by a band of volunteers.
Storthes Hall Park business development manager Miriam Pedersen-Smith said: “We were delighted to be approached last year to become a host venue for parkrun and it has really taken off.
“There is another parkrun in Huddersfield that’s a road run but Storthes Hall’s parkrun is all off-road, so it offers something very different for the runner whether they are looking for a PB or just taking part for fun or personal fitness .”
The event is also very much a social gathering with many runners relaxing in The Venue at Storthes Hall Park for a post-parkrun drink and catch-up afterwards.
The runs are held in all weathers apart from very high winds as parts of the Storthes Hall Park course go through woodlands where flying or falling branches could be a hazard.
Anyone interested in trying our the Storthes Hall parkrun can find more details at www.parkrun.org.uk/ stortheshall/ or email stortheshall@ parkrun.com.
A briefing for first timers is held at 8.45am ahead of the 9am start time.
Organisers thanked Shelley community football club for providing access, changing facilities and cafe.