ORGANISERS of Warrington Parkrun are urgently looking for more volunteers so that the Christmas and New Years’ day events can go ahead.
Fifteen have signed up for Christmas morning and only 11 on New Years Day. Volunteering includes Timekeeping, Marshalling, Barcode scanning, Tail Walking, Funnel Management. If you would like to be a volunteer email Race Director Huw Jones at [email protected]
Huw said: “Since our return after the pandemic, we have managed to fill our rosters with volunteers without too much trouble. However, on these two festive dates, our usual core volunteers are away, so we are looking for more people to marshal out on the course and cheer everyone on.
“This weekend we had forty on duty and 265 participants finishing which means we are recovering well from COVID-19 and numbers continue to rise.
“It is hoped that some of the regular runners will forgo their run on one of the days and take a turn at volunteering.”
Last Saturday there was a surprise guest runner who was completing his 500th event across the UK. He is grateful for Parkrun saving his life as it brought to his attention that he had a health issue that required a stent.
Since his operation, he hasn’t looked back and his health has improved. If it hadn’t been for Parkrun it may have gone unnoticed and may have proved fatal. Both he and his wife celebrated by handing out Christmas pies to the volunteers.
Safety is high on the list of the Parkrun. Warrington has two defibrillators funded by donations from the Parkrun community. One is at the finish and one can be found halfway around the 5 km course, neither has had to be deployed yet, but they are there just in case
Former Mayor Geoff Settle, who has marshaled at Mayor’s corner on 156 occasions, said: “This coming Saturday Parkrun celebrates its 350th event which is a fantastic achievement that couldn’t have been done without the help and good humour of the volunteers who turn out in all sorts of weather.
“People wanting to take part must register on parkrun.org.uk and bring along their printed bar code to receive a timed-finish or volunteer credit.
“It gets you out of bed early, your main job is to cheer on the runners, walkers, babies in buggies and people with dogs. Until the last person crosses the line accompanied by the tail walker and usually their dog but not as St Bernard.”
“Everyone has a great time and you’re away by 10 am with the rest of the day ahead of you. Well for me once I’ve done the weekly shop.”
