By community reporter
Photo: Simon Cullingworth
Bramley parkrun celebrated 10 years in style on Saturday (14 June).
Parkrun is a free weekly 5k event held in Bramley Park every Saturday morning from 9am. Participants can walk, run or volunteer.
Back in 2015, event director Graham Fisher, parkrun ambassador Sam Dooley and their team of volunteers were successful in applying for a community grant to start a local parkrun.
Equipment was purchased and the 5km course around the park was agreed. Little did they realise how important this would become to so many walkers, runners and volunteers alike in Bramley.Â
A short time later Puregym (Bramley) donated an Automatic External Defibrillator, which was successfully used the following year.
Arthur Wood continues to participate at parkrun every week following his recovery. AEDs are now an essential part of the parkrun equipment now.
Cllr Kevin Ritchie (Lab, Bramley & Stanningley), who attended the first event and regularly supports participants, said: “This is the best public investment he has supported, from people taking part with running or walking plus all the volunteers who make the event happen.”
Cllr Tom Hinchcliffe (Lab, Bramley & Stanningley) reinforced Cllr Ritchie’s statement and added: “I hope the parkrun continues going from strength to strength.”
They both thanked all past and present volunteers who work hard to ensure the event goes ahead every week.
The theme for their birthday celebration was the Wizard of Oz and, as usual, lots of runners and volunteers wore their fancy dress costumes.
This Saturday Bramley had 37 volunteers who cheered on our 204 finishers. 36 first timers, five of whom had never done a parkrun before.
People celebrated several milestones:
- Harry Evans on completing his 10th parkrun
- Gordon Russell for completing his 50th Bramley parkrun
- David Sullivan on completing his 200th Bramley parkrun
- Mark Doyle completing his 250th parkrun.
Event director Jean Hollings added: “Bramley is known as ‘Bramley is Family’ and the friendships that are made are a compliment to everyone attending our event.
“It’s lovely to see people progressing from their first parkrun to achieving their milestones. I wouldn’t be anywhere else on a Saturday morning.”
Participants brought items for a foodbank at St Peter’s Church
If you are interested in taking part in parkrun activities, register at www.parkrun.uk.
Sponsored content
