THE popular parkrun phenomena has kicked-off in Moreton-in-Marsh at the Fire Service College.

To date, six events have taken place, attracting 672 runners, of whom 124 have never taken part in a parkrun before; the approximate participants split is 60% women, 40% men of all ages, with ages ranging from under 10 to over 70 years.

As with parkruns nationally (and internationally), the 5km parkrun Fire Service College takes place every Saturday at 9am, is free and open to all those who wish to take part; there is no necessity to run, participants can jog or walk, while pushing their kid in a buggy or even carrying their child, with the emphasis on simply being active outdoors.

The Fire Service College course is flat, over three laps, and well away from public and private roads; the route includes a mixture of tarmac paths, trail paths, open grass and woodland. There is plenty of parking close to the start/finish, but participants are encouraged to walk, run, bicycle or even car share to get to the venue. Dogs are not allowed.

Those who have not done a parkrun before should register online at parkrun (www.parkrun.org.uk) to get a barcode, which is then scanned when participants complete the event, so that they can get access to their finish time.

It is not all about being active though, there is a very strong community feel to the parkrun Fire Service College, which is based at the College’s Sports Centre; participants having the chance to grab a post event tea or coffee in return for a donation to one of the two charities (Cotswold Friends and Moreton Playgroup) that take it in turns to run, raising much-needed funds for local services (over £500 already raised). Participants are encouraged to bring their own (reusable) cup, though – thanks to a mug amnesty in Moreton-in-Marsh – parkrun does provide mugs.

Event participants; celebrating their 50th parkrun; post-event refreshments

The Fire Service College parkrun has been set up by a core team of volunteers, thanks to the generosity of various local people, associations and companies, including Warner’s Budgens (who provide the tea, coffee, milk & sugar weekly for refreshments), the Fire Service College Sports Centre which hosts the event, and Moreton-in-Marsh Town Council, The Moreton Charity, Edith Mann Trust, Bourton Roadrunners, North Cotswold Hospital League of Friends, Warner’s Budgens and Gloucestershire County Council, who have all donated to the set up and running costs of the new parkrun event.

The core volunteers are responsible for organising parkrun Fire Service College every week, but they are always looking for additional volunteers to help them marshal, keep time, give participants race tokens at the finish line, etc, so if you would like to get involved, please email fireservicecollegehelpers@parkrun.com to offer your assistance.

FAST FACTS

When is it?

Every Saturday at 9:00am.

Where is it?

At Fire Service College, London Road, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, GL56 0RH.

What does it cost to join in?

Nothing - it's free! but please register before your first run. Only ever register with parkrun once. Don't forget to bring a printed copy of your barcode. If you forget it, you won't get a time.

More information on the course, how to get involved etc can be found by clicking on the link to the dedicated parkrun Fire Service College website www.parkrun.org.uk/fireservicecollege