The running phenomenon that is parkrun is set to celebrate its 10th anniversary in Cardiff this weekend in spectacular style.
More than 1,000 runners are due to turn-out on at 9.00am on Saturday morning to run 5K Cardiff parkland at Blackweir accompanied by Team Wales Commonwealth Games race walker Bethan Davies the day before she takes part in the British Indoor Championships.
“Parkrun is for everyone – from jogger to elite runner, from walker to elite race walker! Regardless of where you are in the country they are always so welcoming and supportive,” said Davies.
“This couldn’t be more true than in Cardiff and that’s why I love using it as part of my training. I’m always suggesting people sign up to parkrun, in fact I’ve signed u[p my entire family, including my 70-year-old granddad, so if you’re not already part of the family why not join in this weekend.”
Thanks to the hard work of race organiser Phil Cook and his team of volunteers, now fewer than 531 runs have taken place every Saturday morning in Cardiff over the past decade. There have even been extra events hosted on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Cardiff was the venue for the first parkrun in Wales. With the support of Welsh Athletics’ social running programme, Run Wales, parkrun and junior parkrun have spread like wildfire across the country with 28 senior events and nine junior events now taking place every weekend in Wales.
The numbers are impressive and are at the heart of a running boom in Wales that has culminated in four marathon runners being selected for Team Wales for the Gold Coast as well as Dewi Griffiths in the 5,000 and 10,000 metres. Altogether, 68,558 different people have taken part a combined total of 720,789 times.
“In its 10 years, parkrun has enabled more than 90,000 people of all ages in Wales to participate in a free, timed, weekly event, transforming the way in which all communities can engage with physical activity and volunteering,” said Chris Davies, parkrun lead ambassador for Wales.
Many parkrun athletes have gone on to take part in the annual Cardiff University Cardiff Half Marathon and they are also feeding into a number of other road races across Wales. This is boosting the sport of athletics, but also [playing a major role in enhancing the health of the nation.
“I’m proud that through our Run Wales programme we’ve been able to help the spread of parkrun by funding 23 new events across Wales over the last three years. We hope to see close to 60 events across Wales by 2019,” said James Williams, Head of Operations at Welsh Athletics.
Cardiff parkrun course record holder, the Commonwealth Games bound steeplechaser Ieuan Thomas, used the event on his own doorstep in the Welsh capital to boost hsi training and fitness as he qualified for Team GB for last year;s World Championships in London.
“Parkrun is one incredible event. It encompasses so many wonderful things about running – from the simplicity of the sport to the friendly community we all belong to,” said Thomas.
“From testing shape to providing a great location for a Saturday morning workout Cardiff parkrun has certainly played it’s part in making me the athlete I am today, and it’s pretty special to hold the record as it approaches 10 years. Hopefully someone will beat it soon!”
The first parkrun in Wales took place in Cardiff on 16 February, 2008, with 56 runners and 11 volunteers taking part. This weekend will be the 10-year anniversary and recent stats have shown just how much the Saturday morning event has grown with more than 5000 people taking part weekly with 100’s of volunteers at 28 different venues.