Gold medallist will be at the wrong end of run tomorrow

He may have a World Championships gold medal to his name, but swimmer Stephen Milne will still be bringing up the rear in this weekend’s Perth parkrun.

However, rather than experiencing a dramatic loss in fitness, the 23-year-old will actually be participating in UK Sport’s #teamparkrun event, acting as the “tail walker”, to ensure that – as is the parkrun ethos – no one finishes last.

Tomorrow, UK Sport is encouraging National Lottery funded athletes to follow Milne’s lead and be a tail walker at their local parkrun as a way of saying thank you to the millions of people who play the National Lottery each week and, in doing so, help fund elite sport in the UK.

Milne will be out on the route at 9.30am tomorrow for a rare event on dry land, and highlighted the difference funding has made to elite sport in the UK.

“I wouldn’t be where I am without that funding, it’s a good thing,” he said.

“I do like to say thanks to everyone because there is quite a lot of local support and it’s getting bigger.

“I’m very grateful for the support and it’s great to have them cheering me on, so I like to be able to cheer them back, at things like this parkrun.

“I wouldn’t be able to swim without the funding from the National Lottery. Those people who buy the lottery tickets, so that we athletes have the opportunities to do what we do, deserve a big thank you.”

Parkrun is a nationwide network of organised, free, 5km timed runs that take place every Saturday morning and encourage anyone, of any ability, to get active – with a volunteer tail walker, such as Milne, at the rear to ensure no one finishes last.

Milne previously took part in the Perth parkrun as part of the I Am Team GB event last summer – a similar initiative designed to get the public active.

The Olympic silver medallist was one of the first to sign up again upon hearing about #teamparkrun.

“I know what the parkrun is about and wanted to get involved again – it was an enjoyable experience last year,” he added.

“I like to see if there’s a way I can big something up, because the parkrun is a great thing to have and great for people to get active and set targets.

“It’s a fun activity with other people, but also good for setting personal challenges.”

To thank the public for their support through playing the National Lottery, Britain’s top athletes will volunteer as tail walkers at parkrun events across the UK tomorrow.

Everyone is welcome at parkrun – be part of it at www. teamparkrun.com.

Stephen Milne is the designated “tail walker” tomorrow.