Runners tell critic to ‘jog on’

EACH week, hundreds of runners, walkers and families descend on Hesketh Park to take part in Southport’s Parkrun.

The nationally-acclaimed movement involves free, weekly, 5km runs that are open to all and safe and easy to take part in.

Last week, Southport Parkrun came in for fierce criticism from a Southport Visiter reader, prompting huge debate on the event.

In his letter, the reader voiced disappointment at a parkrun being set up in Hesketh Park.

He went on to ask “who on earth decided that it was sensible to have upwards of 150 people running at speed around the comparatively tiny park with its blind bends and corners?”, before stating that “parks need to remain shared space, with no group considering that their activity is somehow more important or worthwhile than their fellow park users.”

One of the volunteers behind Southport Parkrun hit back at the criticism of the event, saying the run is “the most amazing thing”.

Adrian Shandley, who also organises the annual Southport Mad Dog 10k run, said: “Thirteen years ago I sat on the couch, watching the London marathon. I was overweight, working too hard, and eating badly.

“I decided that I would do the London Marathon the following year, and I did.

“Since then I have run more than 50 marathons and personally raised over £300,000 for charities.

“In addition, I have motivated and encouraged more than 20 people to do marathons, all of whom have better lives for it.

“There is simply nothing wrong in running: it is a personal thing that is a way of improving your life, mental attitude and personal fitness.

“I am one of the core team of vol- unteers of the Southport Parkrun. I give my time freely every Saturday morning, as do many others, to encourage people to run 5km, even if they have never run before. People can walk, run, or a mixture of both. All welcome.

“Each week we have upwards of 20 people who are running for the first time. They are all made welcome, and I would say to anybody who is reading this – if you have not done a parkrun then please do so, even if you have never run before it will change your life”

To find out more, go to www. parkrun.org/southport or facebook. com/ Southportparkrun/