Jeff Smith encourages constituents to run, jog, walk or volunteer at local parkruns
Manchester Withington MP Jeff Smith is encouraging constituents to run, jog, walk or volunteer at a parkrun on the weekend of the 1st and 2nd of October to help celebrate their 12th anniversary in the UK.
There are runs currently taking place in 440 Constituencies each weekend, with more events launching every week. Parkrun UK supports local volunteers to establish and deliver free, weekly, timed runs for their communities, which are accessible to both runners and walkers of all ages and abilities. Saturday 5k events are open to everyone, and 2k junior parkrun on Sunday is for children aged from 4-14.
Since the first parkrun in London’s Bushy Park in 2004, more than one million people in the UK have taken part. Each weekend sees around 90,000 runners and walkers participating in the free 5k and 2k events, thanks to the contribution of 10,000 volunteers.
Commenting at the anniversary event, Jeff said: “Parkruns are one of the most accessible activities you will find. They are completely free, open to anyone and perfect for families because they can participate together. There is a very successful regular run at Platt Fields Park in Fallowfield.
Parkruns are as much about bringing the local community together each week as it is running. I’m encouraging all constituents to give it a try!”
Chief Operating Officer for parkrun UK Tom Williams said:
“Our aim is to break down the barriers to regular physical activity and volunteering, both for organisers and participants. We are proud to support local volunteers in more than 500 locations around the UK who provide parkrun to their communities every weekend.
“We know that many MPs are already regular participants at their local parkruns, and we’ve been delighted to hear from so many others who will be going along on the first weekend in October to see first-hand the amazing contribution that parkrun volunteers are making in their constituencies.”
To find out more about parkrun, visit their website at parkrun.org.uk
JEFF SMITH MP 