This week’s parkrun review is celebrating all the people who are still running despite illness, age and incapacity.
Inspirational people who are not just survivors but thrivers. If you’ve ever wondered if you could come down to Frenchfield and do a park run the answer is yes, if you want to, you can.
At Penrith parkrun you’ll find a warm welcome from runners of all ages, abilities, and attitudes plus great support and encouragement from our marvellous marshals.
There are young lads and lasses running with their parents all the way up to 90-year-olds who would put many younger people to shame and a national record holder in her 70s.
On Saturday, we applauded Andrew Brown who did his 750th parkrun and was generous enough to act as a pacemaker for other runners.
We also celebrated with Paul and Petrina. Paul has done 200 volunteers and Petrina was completing her 250th run.
First home today in his first outing at Penrith was Matthew Warters in a time of 17.01 with tail Walkers Linda Stamper and Stephen Kay bringing up the rear and ensuring that everybody has safely finished the course.
Also completing the course today were runners who have overcome many forms of adversity. There are runners with osteoporosis, prostate cancer, heart disease, pacemakers, replacement hips and knees, lung cancer, arthritis and people who have suffered mental and physical trauma.
The special camaraderie and friendship at Penrith parkrun is so supportive and incredibly beneficial to peoples mental and physical well-being.
One group that are working very hard are Move against Cancer.
They are a support group with a difference who encourage you to walk, run, jog, cheer, volunteer or join for a coffee to connect with other people impacted by cancer. All are welcome at the local 5KYW group.
They meet at Penrith parkrun on the last Saturday of every month and are identified by their blue T shirts.
Go to moveagainstcancer.org for more info or go to their Facebook page.
If you’re not quite sure where to start, you can always join the couch to 5K sessions run by Eden runners on a Monday evening. There are also groups like 5K your way, Move against Cancer, Fit for all and others who promote healthy lifestyles.
Have a go you’ll never know how good it is until you give it a try.
