There were jubilant scenes as thousands of joggers and walkers took part in the first Parkrun events in England since Covid restrictions ended.
The free 5km events resumed in more than 500 parks and green spaces – 16 months since they were suspended due to Covid measures.
Parkrun’s Tom Williams said organisers had been “incredibly moved” by the public support for the events.
Organisers hope Parkruns can restart in Scotland and Wales by mid-August.
Events in Northern Ireland resumed at the end of last month.
Under the latest easing of almost all Covid legal restrictions that happened on Monday, outdoor running events including the London Marathon and the Great North Run can also resume.
The Parkrun events, usually held every Saturday, are billed as a chance for people – regardless of age, gender or ability – to regularly run, jog or walk together and enjoy their local park.
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Thousands of people took part in runs across England earlier, with large numbers running the course in south-west London’s Bushy Park – home to the first ever Parkrun in 2004.
IMAGE COPYRIGHTPA MEDIA
IMAGE COPYRIGHTPA MEDIA
‘I was nervous about Covid but I felt safe at Parkrun’
Rochelle Bisson, 29, in Bexley, south-east London, said despite being nervous about coronavirus, it was a “really nice feeling” being able to run with other people again.
She said: “It was really fun. I was a little apprehensive because I’m still being a bit careful after all the Covid restrictions.
“I’m a keen runner but I’m quite slow and it was nice to hang back and avoid the crowd and that helped me feel a lot safer.”
Ms Bisson, who runs to help her anxiety and mental health, added: “It was a really nice feeling running with other people. I’ve done some running during lockdown but it’s not the same.
“It’s nice to run with other people who support you and can cheer you on.”
IMAGE COPYRIGHTROCHELLE BISSON
‘My next aim is to do 500 Parkruns’
Bob Emmerson, 88, became the oldest person to complete 400 Parkruns when he crossed the finish line at the Northampton event.
Mr Emmerson, who ran with his 67-year-old son, also called Bob, said fellow runners and supporters cheered for him as he finished the race.
He told the BBC it had been a “really pleasant morning that was not too hot or cold” and that his next milestone would be to complete 500 Parkruns.
“If Covid hadn’t have happened, I would have been on 470 by now,” he said.
“The target is going to be 500 but I will be 90 by that time I think.
“I will just have to take it one week at a time, I can’t give it up. If I don’t turn up it will be a big event.”
IMAGE COPYRIGHTMICHELLE LEWIS / NORTHAMPTON PARKRUN
‘I could meet people after a year stuck inside’
In south-east London, Paul Williams, 63, was cheered on by fellow runners as he became one of the last 293 finishers at the Southwark Parkrun.
Mr Williams, who has learning disabilities and a bad leg, first began attending the event in 2015 and said he had “missed” it during the pandemic.
On finishing his 78th event after an hour and 16 minutes walk, Mr Williams, who has volunteered at more than 30 Parkruns, said: “I have been stuck indoors for about a year because I have got diabetes and I wasn’t allowed to go out.
“There was no exercise. I have been meeting everyone again and seeing everybody. It gives me exercise, helps me lose weight. I like to keep myself fit and to talk to people.”
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IMAGE COPYRIGHTPA MEDIA
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick and England’s deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van-Tam were also among those running at a Parkrun in Newark, Nottinghamshire.
Mr Jenrick tweeted a photograph of the pair elbow bumping, with the caption “Jenrick v JVT”, adding: “Great to see Parkrun back, across the country and especially here in Newark.”
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Meanwhile, the BBC’s Sophie Raworth – who reported on what it was like to run through the deserted streets of the capital during lockdown – shared a video celebrating her return to Parkrun and said it was “great” to be back.
Article Source: BBC