Has anyone here been involved in setting up a new Parkrun ?

[Maria13]

Hello, I've never done a Parkrun, but from what I've read it sounds great.

The nearest one to me is about 50Km away, so a bit too far.

So, I'm thinking about looking into getting one going somewhere nearer. Has anyone here been involved in setting one up ? I'd like to get an idea of what I might be letting myself in for if I go ahead. I'd be especially interested in hearing experiences from anyone in Ireland, as that's where I am.

Thanks,

Maria

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

It's amazing once you do set up a parkrun, with a little publicity the first run guarantees at least around 200 runners, if it is in a council park, I assume that you would need permission from the council, possibly you would have to contact the Vitality Parkrun people to be recognised by them.

I live in a town which has one 10k and one 5k event a year but no parkrun,

I am sure if they did have a parkrun in a town of 52.000 it would attract at least 200 runners a week.

[Coddfish Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

There’s a process to follow on the parkrun site. It’s a lengthy process and parkrun’s current priority is new runs in areas of deprivation, in line with their Sport England grant. You also have to raise substantial funds from the community to support set up, after which parkrun will fund ongoing running costs. You can’t just set up a run yourself and then somehow get it recognised.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to Coddfish]

Thank you for that information Coddfish regarding the setting up of a parkrun, yes, a lot to do with running costs and the local community and get it recognised by the Vitality organisers, in Scotland alone I think that there have been around 10 new parkruns which have begun since January this year but none in the town I live in, the nearest is 7 miles away, however, because I have been going to Dunfermline for nearly 10 years walking around the park that has a parkrun, that's the parkrun I attend on a Saturday morning although it's 26 miles away by bus, I am getting to know quite a lot of friendly runners there so I'll just continue to go there for the time being.

[Debston Graduate10]

Great idea, there is info on the Parkrun website about setting up new Parkruns, sounds like you get good support. There was a programme on bbc1 recently about a new Parkrun launching I think that was in Ireland, if I remember rightly.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

If you go onto the Park Run Website...all the info you need is there..it is quite a complicated and lengthy process..

Here you go.

parkrun.com/about/start-you...

[Chris9R Graduate10]

Our local one is just being set up. It has an initial setup cost of £3000. I understand we’re still some £700 off that total yet

[SlowLoris]

Have you got any local running clubs that you could get involved?