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Mandy at Aberdeen ParkRun

10 great reasons ParkRun is Amazing

1. ParkRun is Accessible

ParkRun events are held in local parks across the globe. ParkRuns are accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or a beginner, you’re welcome to participate.

10 reasons ParkRun is Amazing 100 runs
The welcome briefing at Torvean Parkrun

2. Community Spirit of ParkRun

ParkRun fosters a strong sense of community. At all the ParkRuns I’ve attended there is a welcome meeting to new to ParkRun participants and Visitors. Then the big “Shout Out” to the Visitors…’Welcome to those visiting from Aberdeen, Canada and Australia today!”

Cake and Coffee – Let’s talk about the cake and coffee which is consumed after each ParkRun.

At Torvean ParkRun we descend on Inverness Botanics for the reward of an Empire Biscuit and forthy latte!

Participants form friendships, offer support, and celebrate each other’s achievements, creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere.

3. Free, Free, Free

Free of Charge! Yes, Parkrun events are free to attend!

Just go online to the ParkRun page. Sign up and get your bar-code and go along to your local ParkRun and join in the fun! thanks to the support of volunteers and sponsors. This makes them accessible to everyone, regardless of financial circumstances.

4. Regular Routine

Weekly Routine. Parkrun takes place every weekend.

Saturday at 9:30am.

Proving participants with a consistent opportunity to exercise and socialize. The regular schedule helps establish healthy routines and stay motivated.

5. Family Friendly Fun

ParkRun events are family-friendly. Children under 11 need to run with a participating adult.

In my experience I am often over taken by an 8 year old. An 8 year old with a granda wheezing behind them as the youngester encourages them to ‘run again Papa’.

All ages participate. It’s common to see entire families running or walking together, promoting a culture of health and fitness.

Run with buggies! Yes, I am consistently over taken by young mums and dads, running with three wheeler pushchairs. Yet, let’s not forget the mums and dads who walk ParkRun too! It is not all about Running!

ParkRun token on my shoes
my ParkRun Card with my Barcode. I have it attached to my running shoes then I can’t forget it…

6. Walker Friendly

ParkWalkers are a thing!

For 2 years as I suffered with my spinal problems I could only walk. I ParkWalked!

Torvean is a fantastic and inclusive ParkRun. You will always see people with ParkWalker vests. As I walk, at a pace where I can talk, I am adopted by other walkers or by vest wearing ParkWalkers.

To feel welcome! To feel like you aren’t holding people up! To feel like you can still take part regardless of speed! It is wonderful!

wee wild adventures

One week after spinal surgery I participate at Torvean ParkRun. It takes me 1:04:39 to walk the 5km! I am accompanied and encouraged all the way! It is a fantastic morning!

I can still walk, after spinal surgery and I just completed a 5k. The JOY!

Mandy Volunteer Park Walker at Stirling Unviersity
Mandy Volunteer Park Walker at Stirling University ParkRun

7. Volunteer Heros

ParkRuns are Volunteer-Driven. ParkRuns rely on volunteers to organize and manage events. They encourage, cheer, and applaud. Bells, pom-poms, rattles! They stand outside in all weathers with a smile on their faces!

I meet kids doing their Duke of Edinburgh. Family members of those participating in the ParkRuns. Volunteers who never ParkRun yet give their time, every Saturday for the love of giving. They are heroes!

This volunteer model encourages community involvement and fosters a sense of ownership among participants.

ParkRun Volunteer scans token
Volunteer at Torvean ParkRun

8. It’s a Run not a Race

ParkRuns are Non-competitive.

You just join in. Some participants may aim to improve their personal best times (me!). Parkrun emphasizes participation over competition. It’s about enjoying the experience and supporting each other rather than on winning.

Plean Country Park at Sunrise

Sunrise Plean Country Park ParkRun

9. Scenic Locations

ParkRun events are typically held in scenic outdoor settings, such as parks, trails, or waterfronts.

The ParkRuns I’ve attended so far:

Aberdeen – out and back along the Beach Esplanade, lot of sea and fresh air! Tarmac for all of it, if I am remembering right. We run Aberdeen ParkRun on New Years Day. Yes there were lovely volunteers who got up early, in Scotland, on New Years Day and made this possible. What Heroes!

Durham – Cory’s home town! Sports Centre, bridges, sports fields, river side tracks, river side tarmac, more bridges, bandstand and what I think is a wildebeest is the Cow, The Dun Cow!

Falkirk – Calendar Park or Cally Park as locals call it! Tarmac, Trails, through the woods, golf course, Cally House.

PleanPlean Country Park. My home town, Up The Big Hoose as well call it! I can walk to the start from Mum’s house (more steps). This is by far the hardest ParkRun i’ve done so far. The terrain, is tarmac, trail, mud, hills, roots, trees, up and down and up again! Despite it’s tough terrain I have been overtaken by a buggy pusher. How on earth did they navigate Plean ParkRun with a buggy?

TorveanInverness, my local ParkRun. What an amazing inclusive joy of a ParkRun! The entire 5km is 2 and a half laps of trail through a frisbee park!

University of Stirling My University this ParkRun is 2 laps of Airthrey Loch with stunning views of the Ochils (my hills) and Wallaces Monument (or Ornament as I call it!) Underfoot you will find tarmac and trail.

Frosty Plean Country Park 6th of January ParkRun

Plean Country Park 6th of Jan Frosty ParkRun

10. Dog Friendly

Yes, ParkRuns are dog friendly too!

Inclusive means Inclusive!

wee wild adventures

The whole family is welcome and that includes your 4-legged-dog family.

10 reasons ParkRun is Amazing Aberdeen
Cory at Aberdeen ParkRun

These are my top 10 reasons ParkRun is Amazing

These are just a few of the many great things about Parkrun. You will have your own reasons to love ParkRun. What are they?

For me it’s the combination of inclusivity, fitness, community and accessibility has made it a beloved charity. Originally in the UK and now in countries around the world.

10 reasons ParkRun is Amazing

No matter where you are in the UK you are probably not very far from a Saturday ParkRun! Why not have a wee wild adventure next Saturday and walk, jog or run your local ParkRun?

wee wild adventures

For more adventures in Scotland

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