Yahoo Finance Runners celebrate across England as parkrun returns
Runners across England celebrated last weekend as parkrun, the free weekly 5k, returned after a long break enforced by the pandemic.
From Abingdon to York, the majority of parkrun events in England had secured landowner permission to take place on Saturday. Events have also mostly returned in Northern Ireland, while continued restrictions by the devolved governments in Scotland and Wales means parkrun is planning to resume events there on August 14.
From seasoned parkrun enthusiasts to first-timers, runners shared celebratory pictures and joyful messages on social media.
BBC newsreader Sophie Raworth, an accomplished runner, shared a video of fellow journalist Felicity Baker completing her first parkrun. ‘This is what it feels like to finish your 1st @parkrunUK,’ she wrote. ‘Well done @Felicity_Baker. Great to be back at #parkrun.’
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This is what it feels like to finish your 1st @parkrunUK 🤣 Well done @Felicity_Baker Great to be back at #parkrun pic.twitter.com/T4o7OPN1g7
— sophieraworth (@sophieraworth) July 24, 2021
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Meanwhile, Sean Hanrahan praised parkrun’s impact on his running habit, after taking part in the Northala Fields event in Ealing, London. ‘So happy to have @parkrunUK back,’ he said.’It introduced me to running a few years ago and I haven't stopped since. Quite literally been life changing.’
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So happy to have @parkrunUK back. It introduced me to running a few years ago and I haven't stopped since. Quite literally been life changing. Enormous thanks to the volunteers at #northalafields #parkrun. pic.twitter.com/vt0OTkFT22
— Sean Hanrahan (@hanrahan_sean) July 25, 2021
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Jen Gillanders ran in Northampton, tweeting: ‘Love #parkrun! I ran my first parkrun about 4 years ago – being a complete novice runner – in 32 mins. On Saturday I ran my 104 parkrun, was the 13th female finisher & have ran x2 marathons, x11 halfs (races) & in training for @LondonMarathon now!’
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Love #parkrun! I ran my first parkrun about 4 years ago - being a complete novice runner - in 32 mins. On Saturday I ran my 104 parkrun, was the 13th female finisher & have ran x2 marathons, x11 halfs (races) & in training for @LondonMarathon now! @Northampparkrun @parkrunUK 💗 https://t.co/y07qfe340S
— Jen (@jenthedietitian) July 26, 2021
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The future of parkrun wasn’t always certain; the return of events was delayed earlier in the summer owing to the failure of landowners to grant permission for many of the runs in England. But a high-profile campaign, including interventions from senior politicians such as London mayor Sadiq Khan, prompted permission from enough landowners for events to return.
In a statement on the parkrun website, organisers celebrated the return of events across England: ‘We know how much the return of parkrun has been anticipated by so many. And we know just how much it is needed.’
But they added there was more work to do in ensuring the return across the rest of the UK and worldwide: ‘Whilst we are obviously delighted that so many thousands more people will be able to enjoy the parkrun experience once again, we know the job isn’t quite done yet.’
‘As an organisation, we won’t be satisfied until all events around the world restart,’ they said. ‘So, whilst it is right that we celebrate the return of parkrun in England, we are mindful of those who are still not able to participate at an event near them.’
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