Well done, Russ Jefferys on your remarkable leadership in championing the essence of community engagement over mere competition, especially with the amount of recent media attention. Indeed, as the saying goes, "you can only please some of the people some of the time." While competitiveness has its place, it's about fostering a sense of community first and foremost, with competition taking a back seat. And that's coming from me, someone who is pretty competitive, all because I've seen the positive impact it had on people's lives.
At its core, parkrun is not just about running; it's about expanding participation and fostering a sense of belonging. The profound impact on participants and volunteers alike is undeniable, below are some of the examples I've first-hand:
Witnessing older individuals find a sense of community within a wider group.
Observing the resilience and renewed self-esteem of younger children, particularly poignant in the wake of lockdown-induced challenges.
Providing a welcoming space for individuals of all sizes to feel confident and empowered to participate.
Empowering young girls to defy societal pressures and run alongside their peers, countering the alarming dropout rates driven by body image issues.
One particularly poignant anecdote highlights the transformative power of parkrun. Amidst the backdrop of a challenging week for a junior doctor, the compassionate support offered by a parkrun marshal provided solace and perspective. Amidst the turmoil of dealing with a patient's miscarriage compounded by domestic abuse, parkrun emerged as a beacon of hope, reminding her of life's positives amidst adversity.
For those like me with a competitive streak, you can use Strava or pay for a formal race. However, parkrun stands out for its profound impact on individual lives, fostering positive change one person at a time. Kudos to Russ Jefferys and the entire parkrun community for embodying the spirit of inclusivity, empathy, and transformation.
adrian grist, Alex Glassbrook, Dana Elfring, Edith Adejobi, Martin Alsop ACCA, John Castle, Jo Field Chart.PR FCIPR FCIHT, Liz Giannopoulos, Jenna O'Byrne, Laurent K., Rupert Naylor, Nathalie Hankey, Ian Rycott, Sarah Dodds, Andrea Tartaglia
Following last week's website changes, our CEO Russ Jefferys has written an open letter to parkrunners 👉 http://parkrun.me/g1y2l
🌳 #loveparkrun