ATHLETICS: Hastings Parkrun 20th Anniversary
CHRIS SANDERSON, runner and volunteer at Hastings Parkrun, explores the popularity of the weekly event, that’s not run in a park
Probably most people across Britain are aware of Parkrun. Its 20-year anniversary this month has given it extra publicity.
Film footage shows friendly crowds of people – of all ages, shapes and sizes – happily running, walking, or jogging together, clearly enjoying the event. Parkrun is a race that’s not really a race because there are no glittering prizes, and achievement is seen as relative: individuals compete to achieve their own personal goals.
Yes, some are serious athletes but the vast majority are not, and the serious athletes show huge respect for their slower companions who have more modest goals. The shouts from supporters are as loud for the slower participants approaching the finish line as they are for the super-fast ones. In fact, they are often more enthusiastic for those further back who may be achieving something remarkable, determined to be fit whatever the odds. Apart from people who have overcome real disabilities, there are “couch potatoes” who have transformed through Parkrun, and many a “senior” has found there is still plenty of spring in their steps if they work at it. Fitness doesn’t happen overnight of course, and people should develop it gradually. There are some “walk to run” groups in operation locally and plenty of people who park walk rather than park run.
SAME PRINCIPLES
Since that memorable day twenty years ago, Parkruns have been set up in places all over the country and in many places overseas, but they all follow the same principles: always on Saturday morning at 9am (only an extreme event, like a strong storm, can cause a cancellation), always five kilometres in distance, completely free, run by volunteers, and no newcomer need ever fear coming in last because there is always a tail-walker at the back. Furthermore, once you have registered, you can take part in any Parkrun wherever it is, here in the UK or abroad. Some people even like to travel around doing ‘Parkrun tourism’.
After a short briefing from the Race Coordinator, everyone starts at the same time with no separate groupings for gender, age or disability. With such a large group of people, simple good manners means that most people judge to some extent where they should start, leaving the fast runners at the front. Runners with pushchairs or dogs (on a short lead), slow joggers and walkers start further back. At the very back is the tail walker.
Many friendships are struck during the race, especially amongst those taking it easy enough to be able to chat! You meet people you might never otherwise have met. This mixture of characters and talents lends itself to a remarkable group feeling of friendship. Being in the fresh air and getting exercise is already good for your health, both physical and mental, but, add to that the social experience, and then you discover the joy of Parkrun.
NO PAYMENTS
But how does such a remarkable event take place when no payments are made to anyone? The answer: it’s so recognisably a good thing that there are always people willing to give up some of their time to work on it. The organisers dedicate many hours of the week, but they are backed up by volunteers who, having been told what they need to do, just arrive on Saturday morning to put on a parkrun volunteer bib and help as marshals or with some other straightforward task. The participants are always appreciative, so it is almost as pleasant to be a volunteer as to compete. The happy, excited atmosphere is contagious.
The name ‘Parkrun’ arose because most towns and cities hold the event in a park. Here in Hastings we are lucky to be able to run along by the sea, from Grosvenor Gardens, past the pier, on almost to Robertson Street, then back again. Our seaside town is valued highly by parkrun tourists, not only for its many local tourist attractions but also because its flat course, all on hard surface, makes it a good place to get a Personal Best (PB). It has an element of surprise though – the wind! When there are odds to overcome, as the weather sometimes gives us, there is plenty of good-natured complaining leading to a lot of laughter.
I asked a few local people why they take part, either as competitors or as volunteers. The answers were invariably enthusiastic: “great start to the weekend”, “ it’s something we can do as a family”, “I was starting to become a couch potato “ etc.
Eric Hardwick (MBE for his 40 years as race director of the annual Hastings Half Marathon) summed up:
“After being a runner for many years, I had a bad accident on the ski slopes and thought I could never run again, but, after helping to get Hastings Parkrun started, I was pleased to take part in the first one, and then continued! Gradually it helped me back to racing 10Ks and Half Marathons. As I got older I varied my Saturday mornings between helping as Funnel Manager and taking part.
“My 100th Park Run coincided with my 80th Birthday. In celebration, all my family and friends joined me there (some taking part) to celebrate. That was three years ago and I still enjoy the anticipation of looking up Parkrun results every Saturday, even if not running. I may be getting slower with age, but it is good some days to be the best in my age category.”
To take part, register at parkrun.org.uk and download a barcode. At the end of each race, your barcode is scanned so you can be given an official time and position as well as your age (and gender) related percentage score. That way you can keep track of your improvement, trying to improve your Personal Best (PB) with regular participation. To volunteer, go to [email protected].
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