Earlier this year the national and now international phenomenon that is parkrun came to Blackpool. Every Saturday at 9am a free timed 5k run / walk takes place in Stanley Park; fun runners gather at the clock tower and make their way to the nearby start. A team of volunteers ensure that they are able to do their two laps of a circuit round the lake safely and without detriment to other park users.
If you are interested in running register yourself at parkrun.co.uk. You can then print off your barcode, which you will need to get an official time. There is no need to worry about not being the next Paula Radcliffe or Mo Farah, walking is as acceptable as running and the last person to cross the line is a ‘tail walker’ volunteer. Children and dogs are welcome to take part under appropriate supervision.
If even walking the 5k isn’t for you then you can still get involved by being a volunteer running proceedings (hence the punning title). Similarly to being a runner / walker you should register with parkrun. There is no obligation to be available every week, and there are several different roles from timekeeper to photographer to on course marshal so there’s something for everyone.
For further details check out Blackpool parkrun on Facebook, or parkrun.co.uk/blackpool.
(Picture – start of a recent Blackpool parkrun by Stephen Dunstan)
