On Saturday 12 January parkrun- celebrates its 1st birthday at Whinlatter Forest. celebrates its first birthday in the same year that the Forestry Commission celebrates its centenary year. The 5km route is open to anyone and participants can run, jog or walk the course.
Run by volunteers parkrun is free to take part in, all you need is your parkrun barcode that can be easily obtained by registering with parkrun UK. The volunteer team make sure everyone that takes part are well supported, and that everyone has an enjoyable time.
John Scrivens, parkrun volunteer, Whinlatter Forest says: “I hadn’t expected volunteering at parkrun to be so much fun. The team do a good job in providing a timed, supported, friendly and enjoyable parkrun, which is the hilliest in the UK! It is so inclusive, from walkers to national standard fell runners, everyone is made welcome. I love it.”
Taking place at 9AM every Saturday, the event at Whinlatter Forest has seen an incredible 2242 people complete the course. In addition 112 individuals have volunteered a total of 499 times in the last 12 months.
Having the most elevation gain of any parkrun in the UK, Whinlatter Forest parkrun has been nicknamed Beauty & the Beast. If the hills don’t take your breath away then the vista towards the World Heritage Site that this the Lake District National Park really will.
Sonia Dryden, Event Director for the parkrun, Whinlatter Forest said: “We are so happy to celebrate this milestone on Saturday and want to encourage everyone to come along and join us for the event. Run, jog, walk or volunteer, parkrun is for everyone. We have cake for everyone who joins us in Siskins Café after the run this week. It’s been a rollercoaster year for us with road closures and severe weather, but with the magnificent support from our parkrun family we have continued to run and grow. I’d like to say thank you to all the volunteers who have helped each week, it’s down to them that the event is the success that it is. “
It was thanks to funding from Cumbria Community Foundation, Allerdale Borough Council & the Forestry Commission that the event was able to start last year. The lasting legacy from these organisations means that this event will continue for many more years.
