Letter: Parkrun - Dust off your trainers!

While I applaud the enthusiasm and athleticism of everyone involved I am afraid this will have given a very misleading impression of the nature of Parkrun events.

First and foremost it is not a race. It is an inclusive community event that encourages participants to undertake every week a five kilometre (three mile) course in local parkland. They can run, jog or walk, and every week the field of about 300 at Harrogate is made up of all ages, shapes and sizes.

The participants range from toddlers in pushchairs to pensioners like myself. It is sociable, friendly, outdoors and there is a coffee stop afterwards.

Times are recorded but there is no competition other than the satisfaction of improving or maintaining your fitness, and best of all it includes meeting people who soon become good friends.

Locally there are events on Harrogate Stray, Fountains Abbey and Wetherby Sports Ground, with many more not too far away. All events start at 9am on a Saturday. There is, in addition, a Junior Parkrun every Sunday in Valley Gardens.

The event is free. For information, go to the UK Parkrun website, register, print your barcode, dust off your trainers and come and join us. All first timers get a big cheer!

Martin Weeks

St Clements Road,

Harrogate