VIDEO: More than 600 runners of all ages and abilities turned out at Victoria Park to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the “life-changing” Warrington Parkrun.
The event has gone from strength to strength since it was launched in January 1993 by founder Tony Carroll and a dedicated team of volunteers.
Without the volunteers there simply wouldn’t be a Warrington Parkrun which attracted an impressive field of 633 runners to celebrate the event’s 10th birthday yesterday (Saturday), which has now seen many thousands of people engage in the free community event which is repliacted worldwide.
The volunteer pacers
The event also saw the team from Dash4Diabetes celebrate their ninth anniversary – with activities like Warrington Parkrun seen as a key way of helping tackle conditions like diabetes – something I know first-hand after being borderline diabetes five years ago.
Warrington Worldwide’s Gary Skentelbery
After six months out injured, I pushed myself out of bed to attend the 10th-anniversary event, my 112th Parkrun, my 110th at Warrington, following “guest runs in Nottingham and North Wales.
It didn’t take me long to realise what I had been missing, running with the pack – much more fun than running alone on a cold dark night.
The Dash4Diabetes team
Following the event I was able to catch up with longtime volunteer Richy, who embodies everything about those who give up their free time to serve the local community and local founder and Race Director, Tony Carroll, who still oozes enthusiasm for the event he started 10 years ago.
He quite rightly describes the event as “life-changing.”
“We started it to get people out and be healthy and to bring the community together without any pressure. No money is involved. It is a chance to enjoy yourself with like-minded people,” he said.
“You don’t have to be a runner, you can run, walk, jog or plod, it is not a race although we do have competitive runners.
“For some people, it is their only connection with other people in the week.
“We have got people who have met and married and had children who are now taking part.
“Everyone is welcome whatever their ability!”
So if you want to find out more about the life-changing Warrington Parkrun log on to the national site and download your free barcode pass so you can get a chip-timed finish and keep track of all your Warrington parkrun adventures – not just in Warrington but also as a guest at one of the many other events dotted around the country and the rest of the world!
To sign up CLICK HERE and change your life!
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