This weekend will be a bit special for followers of Workington parkrun as it will be the 500th.
The inaugural event was on June 22, 2013 and literally thousands of runners and walkers have since then benefited from a weekly Saturday dose of fitness and fellowship.
Such is the friendly, sociable atmosphere, that the community built up week on week, as more people keyed into the parkrun ethos.
As of event 499, there have been 5,992 people finish the route. Some have done so quite a lot, resulting in 49,809 finishes overall.
There have been many inspiring stories of recovery from debilitating conditions in the 11 years Workington parkrun has been in existence with each person attributing their recovery to the value of meeting up with friends, both old and new.
Shaun Cavanagh, parkrun director, said: “Some narratives are truly astonishing; no more so than Tony Holliday’s, who tried his hand at running his first parkrun on only the third Workington event in 2013.
“He became a weekly regular and soon, due in no small part to a strong, determined spirit, an accomplished runner.
“Little was he to know that this same spirit would be called upon many years later, and use up the last reserves of this remarkable survivor of a terrible leg injury.
“Tony was informed over and over he would never run again and he may yet lose his leg, following urgent medical intervention to save it.
“But somehow, through the fortitude of his family and Tony’s ‘can do-will do’ attitude, his goal of running another parkrun was realised last week and his family and friends were all there to support him, as was his sincere wish.
“Tony has requested his story to be told, and whilst these words do not do him justice, there is at least opportunity to pass on his request for heartfelt thanks to be extended to everyone at Workington parkrun; those at the beginning of his running journey; those throughout his journey of recovery; and in advance of those whom he might inspire in future to begin a parkrun.”
