APRIL 27 marks 10 years since the first parkrun in Winchester, with around 200 people running the 5k around North Walls Recreation Ground back in 2013.
The event was set up by Tansy Gill with the support of Winchester and District Athletics Club (WADAC) to create a free and healthy community activity.
Winchester parkrun now sees about 350 people take part each Saturday at 9am, whether that running, walking, volunteering or even pushing a buggy round.
Co-event directors Peter Humphries and Sarah Witt took over at the beginning of March and are hoping to see the park run through another 10 years.
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Peter, 49, said: “When Tamsy first spoke about the purpose of having a park run it was very much about having a community feel and encouraging people to exercise.
“We want people to take credit for themselves as this would not have lasted a decade if people hadn’t volunteered from the beginning. We’re here to help everyone else volunteer and keep it going for another 10 years."
Sarah, 48, said: “It’s social, communal and safe and there’s lots of people around to look out for you, no one is bothered about time. It’s a fantastic social occasion, I’ve met so many friends through it.
“We’ve got lots of people who have been running for those whole 10 years. We’ve got people who came to the first one and will hopefully be here for the 10th anniversary run. It’s a chance to have more cake and cake is always popular at park run.”
Runner and park run ambassador Andy James, 47, said: “I’ve never really missed a week since 2015. It’s the people who motivate me to come back time after time and it kickstarts my weekend.
“There’s definitely a mental health benefit of running in a big group like this. And the event gets you up in the morning and gives you a purpose.”
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Sport psychology student Abbie Kremer is volunteering with the park run for her course at Winchester University. Abbie, 19, said: “There’s a huge sense of community here - a really positive atmosphere.
“There are the obvious benefits of exercise which help to improve your mood. The group aspect helps even more and nobody feels alone or embarrassed. I’d consider volunteering even after I’ve completed my course.”
Kevin Stone and his friends and family travel from Kingston to different park runs around the country. Ahead of his Winchester debut, Kevin, 55, said: “I’ve been doing it since 2009 and we just love to explore different park runs, it means its new every time.
“Winchester is a lovely part of the world so it’s a nice trip out too, only an hour in the car here.”
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Sports massage therapist, Jamie Gough, gives up his time each Saturday to offer free massages before and after run as well as some motivational half way jelly babies.
Jamie said: “I’m not affiliated with the park run in anyway, although some other park runs do hire a sports massage person.
“I’ve been coming for a year and half and received such a positive response. People say they don’t have the time or money to take out their day and address their muscular issues so I tell them to come here where I can do it for free.
“The jelly babies help with motivation and give that smile to everyone.”
Primary education student Ailsa Burnett, from Ireland, joined the Winchester park run in the summer and has continued to take part alongside her studies at the university.
Ailsa, 21, said: “I love that it’s such a good community event, there’s such a buzz. Even the worst runner can come and feel good. It’s also nice to do something outside of university and see the wider community.”
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Lara Allured, who works at Southampton General Hospital, has joined 73 Winchester park runs and now brings her son Seb, aged nine, and his friend Heidi Barrett, also nine, who train with Winchester and District Athletics Club.
Lara, 41, said: “It keeps you motivated running with a big group of people. These guys run as friends and then we go for pancakes after.
“I’m so excited for the 10th anniversary. I’ve been telling people at work to come and do it to celebrate.”
As well as the 5k every Saturday, there is a 2k junior park run 9am on Sundays for children aged four to 14.
The 10th-anniversary park run takes place on April 22, with original runners and volunteers returning as well as cake, bunting and balloons.
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