Under starters orders for the return of Warrington Parkrun!

IT’S official- after an absence of 15 months due to the pandemic Warrington Parkrun will return on June 26th!

The Victoria parkrun volunteers are all clued up as to needs to be done to adhere to parkruns Covid-19 framework.

They have been Lobbying Warrington Borough Council, CEO Professor Steve Broomhead, council leader Russ Bowden and Charlotte Nichols MP for a couple of weeks asking them to send a letter of approval for the event to take place at Victoria Park.
Charlotte and Russ are regular participants and fully appreciate the benefits to their wellbeing as well as the social side that takes place within the parkrun community.
World Athletics President, Sebastian Coe recently wrote an open letter in support of parkrun stating; “parkrun has been referred to as one of the greatest public health initiatives of the 21st century. It must be given permission to return”.
Former Mayor of Warrington Geoff Settle said “It was proving a difficult task for parkrun to get the required number of landowners to give their approval, especially from the UK Local Government Association.
“But now the offical go ahead has been given, I’m ready and willing to stand at Mayors Corner once more and face up to 500 runners. I’ve had my double dose of the vaccine and I will be wearing a mask and waving a yellow flag so that people avoid me standing in front of a heavy black post.”
The participants will be running, walking some with dogs for the first 100 meters along a newly laid path with no potholes.
Warrington parkrun campaigned for this work when one of the runners twisted her ankle, but it is not just for them it is for all park users and was completed a couple of weeks ago.
Huw Jones, who is the race director, has received confirmation from parkrun that they have received the necessary letter of approval from WBC and is looking forward to parkrun’s return.
He added: “This is a great weight off my shoulders. Cal and I, as race directors can now seriously focus on the new target date of Saturday June 26th at 9am.
“Things will be as safe as we can make them, and it will be fantastic to welcome everyone back to Victoria Park. So many people have benefitted from parkrun over the years in so many ways.
“New running clubs have evolved, Victoria Park Runners and Reeves Runners to name but two. Participants have got fitter, produced faster times, lost weight, made new friends, been motivated by those around them at all levels during their chats before, during and after the events.”
Geoff added: “Huw, Cal and their team of volunteers will ensure that as always, the event will go off smoothly but this time with an extra dose of safety wrapped around everyone by maintaining social distancing and avoiding crowding.
“Over the years they have done a fantastic job aided by Tony who helped guide and inspire them. If any group can pull this off its parkrun Team Victoria Park Warrington.
“Did you know there is an event for the youngsters? It is Junior Parkrun 2k at Orford Park on a Sunday at 9am restricted now to 4- to 10-year-olds.”
For more details https://www.parkrun.org.uk/warrington-juniors/