THOUSANDS of Isle of Wight runners — of all ages and abilities, casual or serious — collectively jumped for joy at the prospect of Medina parkrun starting up again, amid Boris Johnson’s plan to exit the country’s third lockdown.
Following the publication of the government’s roadmap for England, there is excitement as organisers get plans underway to restart both the junior and 5km parkruns.
With the prioritisation of children’s sport and activity in the roadmap, and with the smaller number of participants compared to the 5km event, the weekly junior run is planned to restart first — on Sunday, April 11.
In line with the latest guidance on the lifting of restrictions across England — and operating within parkrun’s already approved Covid-19 framework — it is expected the 5km event will start on Saturday, June 5.
Organisers of both events still need to discuss the assessment of risk at parkrun’s traditional venues — Seaclose Park, Newport, and Appley Park, Ryde — with the IW Council, and whether routes are Covid safe.
There is also the added factor of whether Seaclose would host a festival this summer.
John Hepworth, Medina parkrun’s event director, was delighted with the government’s plan to open the shutters on outdoor events and large social gatherings — and the best possible news for its 4,000 registered runners on the Island.
“The team is really excited about this news and we will start work to get prepared,” he said.
“We will only start our Island’s parkrun though if we can make it safe for everyone involved — and if all of our vital stakeholders are on board.
“There is a lot of work which needs to be done.
“With Ray passing away, we need to recruit an event director for junior parkrun. We are aiming for April 11, but it may be a week or two later with so much to sort out.
“The IW Council has been very supportive of parkruns, but we understand their need to assess the risks to all.
“With so many in the 11-14 years age group who do the 5km, we have temporarily reduced junior parkrun’s age group to four to ten years, rather than 14, because of the number waiting to do the June run.
“This decision was made on safety grounds and that youngsters would be intimidated when coming up against older, competitive runners.”
With so many 5km parkruns under the belt and a later start date, organisers are aiming for June, confident all will be in place, pending any festival news, council support and no return to lockdown.
“What lockdown has done has really brought home parkrun is a community, with physical and mental health benefits,” added John.
“The feedback we’ve had about the return of the 5km event has been amazing.
“We are anticipating breaking our record for runners on a parkrun, which is currently at about 500, for our first event.”
In memory of Ray Scovell, who founded parkrun in 2011 and junior parkrun a few years ago, this year’s cancelled Ray’s Run, will be held prior to next year’s one.
“Ray is the godfather of the Island’s parkrun. He created and drove it on for so many years. It wouldn’t be here had it not been for Ray,” said John.
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