Across the globe Parkrun has welcomed as many runners in the first week of January as it did in the whole of its first nine years! Over 420,000 different people have taken part so far and that’s before the influx those getting fit in the new year. 

Monmouthshire and the surrounding areas are blessed to have a significant number of events in locations stretching from the Severn Bridge, around the Forest of Dean, through Ross-on-Wye and onto Hereford. In the other direction events can be found along the M4 through Rogiet, Newport and up through Cwmbran to Abergavenny.

The Severn Bridge Parkrun ended 2019 with a new high attendance of 324 participants and exceeded that last Saturday with 387.

Over in Lydney, an early start of 8.30am had 408 attendees, obliterating last year’s new year’s day record of 231. This allowed 286 runners to go on and complete a second run elsewhere. 230 of them turned up in the Forest of Dean, when 378 runners (another new record)  set off at 10.30am. Previously the biggest field had been 259 and that was 1st January 2018. 500 hardy souls ran along Newport Riverfront on 1st January and another 483 completed the run on the Saturday thus recording their second and third highest attendances ever. 

Parkrun is a volunteer led organisation and globally is a charity. Not every team can put on the extra festive events but all do strive to give runners a weekly event in their local area. It has also become a vehicle for people to travel and visit new places. 

With the onset of the resolution revolution and people striving to get fit, Parkrun is there for you. Unlike many other activities, however,  it is free, for everyone, forever. What’s more, it is inclusive. If you want to walk, jog, run, or even volunteer, there is a Parkrun near you.

Just register once at Parkrun.org.uk, print off your barcode and turn up on Saturday morning ready to go at 9am and get on the road to health and fitness.

If you want to get your youngster fit, they can join in too. Under 11s, however,  must be accompanied throughout by an adult.

On Sundays, at 9am, there is junior Parkrun available for 4-14 year olds, where they can complete a 2k course with or without mum or dad.

Mark Williamson (Event Support Ambassador, Parkrun UK)