For the past 15 years, runners and walkers of all abilities have been flocking to Lydiard Park to take part in the parkrun.
Since becoming the first parkrun in the South West in 2010, the country park has seen professional and amateur runners, Santas, participants wearing pink shirts, and a variety of costumes grace the track every week to get fit or just socialise with friends.
The free event, part of the national parkrun organisation, has seen thousands of people take part and hundreds give up their time throughout the years to volunteer and make sure it runs smoothly.
The parkrun taking place this Saturday - 9am on 1 March - marks the 15th anniversary of the event starting at Lydiard Park and organisers are encouraging runners and walkers of all abilities to come along and get involved.
Over the years, Swindon Borough Council colleagues and councillors have taken part and volunteered with parkrun to help make the events a success.
One of those, Emma Sperring, a Public Health Practitioner at the Council, is the organiser of Lydiard Park’s parkrun. She said: “I’ve been volunteering at Lydiard parkrun for 15 years now and what an amazing experience it has been.
"I can still remember that very first event all those years ago, back in March 2010, where we had just 30 runners and eight volunteers.
“Now we have around 400 walkers and runners and approximately 50 volunteers every week, which really shows how popular it has become over time.
“Fifteen years ago, people would just turn up for a run in the park, and while some people may still do this; for most it’s about being with like-minded people; chatting about how our week’s been and what’s coming up; welcoming new people including tourists new to Swindon; celebrating events, like milestone anniversaries and significant birthdays.
"It’s also about being at the magnificent Lydiard Park, the fresh air and the sense of wellbeing that this wonderful green space brings.
“I volunteer because of all of these reasons and more! The parkrun community has really become like an extended family to me.
"I love seeing those familiar faces every week, but I also love meeting strangers, who are strangers no more the following week.
“If you’ve never experienced it before, please do give parkrun a go. We will welcome you with open arms and rest assured it’s not just a run – you can do what you like, whether that’s walking, jogging, running, volunteering, cheering, chatting or just quietly watching.”
Cllr Emma Bushell, Deputy Leader of Swindon Borough Council, said: “Parkrun is an amazing opportunity for so many people to get fit, socialise or volunteer.
“Lydiard parkrun holds a special place in my heart as it was the first parkrun I did – and in fact the first organised race event I participated in – shortly after I took up running 10 years ago.
“I’ve been doing parkruns in Swindon and as a “parkrun tourist” in other towns ever since – though now not as often as I would like due to council commitments. So I’m excited to be taking part in the 15th anniversary run.
“I’m proud that Swindon was the first home for parkrun in the South West and is now one of the UK towns which supports two weekly parkruns, in addition to junior parkruns.
“So many people look forward to the run each week and it’s created such an incredible community that loves the event, loves the socialising and loves Lydiard Park.
“If you’ve always been interested but never taken the plunge, I couldn’t recommend it more.”
A junior parkrun takes place on Sundays at 9am, with a new junior event being planned for Swindon in the future. Alongside the Lydiard Park events, a parkrun is also held at Seven Fields in Penhill.
Those looking to take part in the event this weekend, or any future weekends, can sign up on the parkrun website. If residents would like to volunteer for the event, they can email the team to find out more and register an interest.
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