Local residents pitched at our 9th Dragons’ Den for funds towards setting up a park-run in our community… they won and wow have they delivered! Here’s their wonderful report on how things are going:
With support from the Big Local’s Dragon’s Den and other local organisations/businesses, Five Arches parkrun launched on 23rd September 2023 and has now been running weekly – rain, shine, or snow! – for almost a year.
In that time (already 49 events at the time of writing) we have seen 4136 people take part from the local community and further afield, have engaged 280 volunteers, and 477 organisations/groups.
Five Arches parkrun has become a community staple and a safe space for people of all ages and abilities to come together, combat social isolation, work to health goals, bond as families, experience community support, achieve personal bests, and grow as people.
But we know we can make this free weekly event better and safe for those involved, which is why we are looking for Big Local’s support to help us improve health and safety, and some of our slightly more flimsy equipment to create a fantastic weekly event.
Despite being a free weekly event, Five Arches parkrun covers and accords with all local, regional, and national government and council strategies for initiatives improving health, wellbeing, and social engagement. It also brings tourism to the area and improves the local economy through footfall in cafes, shops, public transport and carparks.
But it brings even more than that that to the 100-300 individuals and families who take part each week.
So, we’re going to leave our last comments to the people who make parkrun, because their voices matter more:
“Since getting involved with Five Arches parkrun, I now know more people in my local community than ever before….I’ve voluntarily danced around in public wearing reindeer antlers and Christmas lights. Oh yeah, and I’ve ran 10k.
But, just like Jaws isn’t a movie about a shark, we all know parkrun isn’t really about running!”
“I got involved in Five Arches a month ago… The whole experience and atmosphere is extremely enjoyable and friendly and you also get to meet new people as well… I had no idea how much hard work had gone into getting it set up and going… Hats off to the organisers who arrive early to set things up in all winds and weathers and marshalling at point 6 helps me get some steps in nice and early as well which is an added bonus.”
“I’m 4 weeks into Couch to 5k after starting to volunteer with Five Arches parkrun in September.
The support from everyone has been incredible, the whole community gets what its like to be a new starter as someone who’s never going to be an athlete. The support, random chats, and community is what makes me come back each week and keep trying to improve my health and fitness 🙂”
“I love parkrun . I never understood the appeal and it’s difficult to explain so I just tell people to try it. So happy 5 Arches has started….”
“I started my parkrun journey in late 2016 when a friend from my running club suggested I join him for a 5k one Saturday morning.
The rest they say, is history.
Initially, I was not the regular that I am now. The turning point for me came in early 2018 with a cancer diagnosis and throughout the rest of that year and my treatment, parkrun gave me something to focus on where I could try and forget everything else that was going on. When I was not up to running I still attended and volunteered to still be involved, it’s a run not a race mantra really hit home.
I’ve also met some great people I’m pleased to call my friends through parkrun which is so much more than a Saturday morning run, it’s a occasion to meet and make new friends, exchange parkrun stories over a post run tea/coffee or even a well earned breakfast. The social side to parkrun is just as important as the run itself.”
