A tiny little bit awesome
Since then it has grown just a little. The current numbers for the total number of people who have completed a Parkrun are 1,354,849. Collectively we have covered over 64 million kilometers.
Not bad for a free event. That picture on the left was taken on January 9th at Marlay Park Parkrun where I, pictured left, and my daughter on the right got to meet the man behind Parkrun Paul Sinton-Hewitt.
It is a measure of Paul that when being interviewed later on RTE radio he was introduced as being effectively Parkrun. Paul immediately corrected the interviewer saying he wasn't Parkrun. The thousands of volunteers and participants are Parkrun.
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| Parkrun Ambassadors from many Parkruns at Marlay with Paul |
Operation Transformation
Operation Transformation (OT) is a program on RTE, our national TV channel, that has been running for about 9 years now. On the show they take five individuals and lead them with the help of a number of experts to a transformation to a healthy life style. The great thing about the show is you can track each of the individuals on the their journey with their exercise plan and eating habits. The idea is that you pick the person who most represents yourself and try to mimic the transformation. This is why the individuals are referred to as leaders
This year OT are teaming up with Parkrun to encourage more people to get out running. Parkrun have asked each Parkrun event to nominate ambassadors whose job it is to welcome anyone to the Parkrun for their first time and let them settle in easy to the idea. This is a great idea as we know a lot of people sign up for Parkrun online with great intentions but never take the crucial step of attending the Parkrun. The thought of going to an event where everyone is super fit and dedicated can be daunting. However Parkrun is not like that. Yes we have dedicated people but dedicated to helping others whether it is through volunteering at the event or just encouraging others. A bit of a shout of encouragement can make a huge difference to someone. The other key thing is the standard of running. Yes there are people who are mad fast but we also have people who walk the event. There is one older gentleman who attends Malahide who has to use two walking sticks to get around.
The ethos of Parkrun is that the real heroes are at the back of the field.
If you are following the OT plan and want to join the Parkrun please go to your local Parkrun and look out for your ambassador. We will all be wearing a red OT teeshirt. I had the privilege of meeting many of the ambassadors from many Parkruns at Marlay and they all had one thing in common, they are just lovely people.
Community
The real truth about Parkrun is that it is about community. I have made so many friends at Malahide and I mean real friends.
But not just Malahide. I have run at other Parkruns Pollock Park in Glasgow and Antrim Parkrun stand out in memory. I met Norman at Antrim and a few weeks later he returned the compliment of running at Malahide.
I met so many nice people representing so many Parkrun events at Marlay that I am now committed to running at the Bere Island event. That is a Parkrun event that Paul Sinton-Hewitt lists as one of his favourites. I also have to go to Naas, Kilbeggan, Sligo, Donabate and dare I say it, Ardgillan.
I have put off going to Ardgillan for a long time as it is notorious for having a big hill in the run.
And that was the funny thing about when all the ambassadors met, we all asked each other the same questions. Where are you from, not meaning where are YOU from but which Parkrun are you from? How many attend your run? Some found the idea of a run with 500+ runners daunting while others told of stories of there being more volunteers at an event than there were runners. However the key question everyone asked was "are there hills?"
Regular Parkrunners are well familiar with the sense of community but it was only at this unique event in Marlay for the launch of the association with Operation Transformation that you really got a sense of just how big a community Parkrun is. To be honest the whole thing was more than a little emotional.
Next Steps
If you have never signed up for Parkrun and are thinking about it then go to Parkrun.ie to register or any of the Parkrun country web sites. Once registered you will get a barcode you can print to bring with you to get a time for your run/walk. Remember at a parkrun the only person you are competing with is your self.
Bring the barcode with you to your local Parkrun, When you get there look for the OT ambassadors or any of the volunteers at the event. I know it is intimidating for some people meeting new people but trust me the people at Parkrun are just friends you haven't met yet.
Don't worry about your own abilities. When you attend and run or walk the 5k you will be beating all those people who are at home on the couch.
Do treat yourself to a coffee afterwards and maybe even a little jam filled scone.
If you are already a Parkrunner and have never volunteered then sign up to volunteer. I have to say that when you volunteer that feel the sense of community far more strongly than when you you run in the event. Myself and my daughter Sammi commit to volunteering every time we set a new personal best (PB).
Finally
I have to say a big thank you to Paul Sinton-Hewitt for all he has done and getting me into a frame of mind that I look forward to Saturday mornings and running in the Parkrun.
Lovely to meet you and your daughter at marley park....from castleblayey park run...toughest in the north east....looking forward to welcoming you...
ReplyDeleteWe will have to add it to the list of runs we are going to attend over the coming months.
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