Junior Parkrun celebrates one year anniversary

Photo: Paul Taylor

Junior Parkrun celebrates one year of running in Queen's Park

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Over 60 junior runners raced around Queen’s Park on Sunday 3 June for the first-year anniversary of the weekly Junior Parkrun at Heywood’s Queen’s Park.

The Heywood junior Parkrun participants celebrated the event’s first birthday with a real treat: glorious sunshine and perfect running conditions, a fancy-dress theme with a ‘floss dance’ warmup, plus cakes, brownies and other refreshments after the run.

The local Junior Parkrun is in its 45^th event, having started on 4 June 2017. Since then, a staggering 4,552km have been covered by the children taking part.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/138/community-news/110578/inaugural-junior-parkrun

Mayor of Rochdale Mohammed Zaman started the race, joined by Councillor Jane Howard, who wished them all good luck before setting off. The first finishers this week were Ethan Holt (09:22) and Nicole Jones (10:18). 11 children taking part set a new personal best, and the run welcomed two new participants.

It regularly attracts around 47 children each week, with the busiest week being run 40 on 29 April with 86 participants. The current fastest times held by the first boy and girl finishers are Matthew Fleming (07:45) and Olivia Jackson (09:14). Approximately 17 volunteers each week help ensure the run can take place.

Junior Parkrun is for children aged between four and 14 and is held every Sunday at 9.am at Queen’s Park, Heywood. It is free to enter, but please register before your first one.

The 2km course starts near to the Open Air Theatre, heading away from the fountain and turning right at the junction. The path around the park is followed past the play areas and tennis court before being repeated.

Participants then continue past the Open Air Theatre to turn right down the park’s main path and finish in front of the fountain. Post-run refreshments are available from the café.