Plans Being Made For Chiswick parkrun

Local group wants to set up a weekly run in Dukes Meadows

A local group of enthusiasts would like to set up a free weekly 5km ‘parkrun’ every Saturday at 9am in Dukes Meadows and they are looking for volunteers to help out.

If you’re interested in hearing more, they will also be meeting for a founder volunteer course walk on Saturday 26 January starting at 9am at The Pavilion artist studios, Dukes Meadows.

The goal for setting up a Dukes Meadows parkrun is to help local people get more exercise and to foster a stronger community spirit.

parkrun is an international initiative, every Saturday these free 5km timed runs take place all over the world. There are already successful parkruns in Richmond Park, Old Deer Park and Bushy Park. The parkrun in Gunnersbury had over 600 people in its first run of 2019. This compares with the 163 participants who took part in the first event in October 2011. The average number is now over 300, so the record has now more than doubled in the New Year.

Gunnersbury Park Event Director, Arlene Gallagher said, ''We were delighted to welcome so many runners, walkers and volunteers. We always welcome new members."

The new group would now like to set up a parkrun for people living within walking/cycling distance of Dukes Meadows.

parkruns are open to absolutely everyone; from those taking their very first steps in running to Olympians; from juniors to those with more experience. All parkrun events are free to participants and are run by volunteers.

The parkrun organisation (www.parkrun.org.uk) recommends that they recruit at least 10 ‘founder volunteers’ to get it up and running. If you would be interested in volunteering (e.g. being a marshal, first aider, tail walker, etc) and you are available between 8.30am and 10am a few Saturday mornings a month, then please drop a note to them via our forum.

January 11, 2019