Stepping up the pace in bid to establish junior Parkrun
A bid to establish a Junior Parkrun at Ballachulish Quarry is gathering pace and needs help from local businesses to get it over the finish line, writes Fiona Scott.
The initiative is being driven by parents in the village who want to establish a safe place for children aged between four and 14 years old to run.
More than half the money required has been raised through donations from Highland Titles, Lochaber Athletic Club, Lochaber Community Fund and MOWI but the group still needs to raise around £1,300 to get things started.
Parkrun UK requires each new Junior Parkrun to raise £3,000 for start up costs and essentially the perpetual licence to run. Parent and Ballachulish Parkrun advocate Rachel McKerral said: ‘We are not allowed to fundraise in the traditional way – sponsored events, crowdfunding, bake sales – to protect the Parkrun brand. They expect us involve local businesses seeking financial support benefit the community.
‘Our group has been trying to get this off the ground for the last 18 months but Covid to in to
The group behind plans to start a junior Parkrun in Ballachulish needs help from local businesses.
has seriously reduced our ability to fundraise as many of the businesses we have approached or would have approached have been severely affected and are no longer in a financial position to donate.
‘We are obviously keen to get the remaining funds to get started as soon as we can.'
Parkrun is a charity which organises weekly timed runs in different parts of the world and an adult 5km is a regular feature in Lochaber. Junior Parkruns, which are only 2km long, are a relatively recent addition by the charity and are under represented in Scotland beyond the central belt.
The free weekly event will take place on a Sunday morning when children aged four to 14 will follow a 2km route with the quarry being the proposed venue.
‘It is a good location where the children can be constantly monitored, has nearby public toilets, shops and a large car park for those travelling a distance to take part,’ added Rachel.
‘As keen runners and parents of young children, we know the health and social benefits of running, with research showing Parkrun and volunteering at Parkruns has a real benefit to physical and mental health.’
Initial start-up costs also cover a timing system, flags, markers, high vis vests, cones and signs, PVG and Disclosure checks for the volunteer race directors and insurance.
Beyond the start up fee, there are no ongoing costs to the running of a Junior Parkrun which is free for children to take part in.
The minimum donation Parkrun will accept is £200 and payment can be made via BACS or a cheque once an invoice has been raised by Parkrun UK. Anyone interested in making a donation should contact ballachulishjuniorrun@gmail.com to find out more.