Queen’s Park celebrates 100th junior parkrun

Date published: 24 July 2019

79 runners participated in the 100th junior parkrun at Queen’s Park in Heywood on Saturday 14 July.

First finishers of the 100th event were Thomas Bostock (09:17) and Ivy Clark (10:55), both setting new personal bests.

Run director Su Page said: “It was the best morning ever - I got a tad emotional as I just love it.”

Junior parkrun regularly attracts around 46 children each week at Queen's Park, with the busiest week being 30 June 2018 with 89 participants.

It began in June 2017 and has proved popular each week with Connie Keeling and Luke Partington having run 76 junior parkruns at Queens Park.

Ethan Hogg has run the most with 84 (72 at Queen’s park) and is the only junior with the purple 25 volunteer t-shirt.

Approximately 18 volunteers help each week, ensuring the run can take place.

Top volunteers at the Queen’s Park junior parkrun are Paul Taylor (photographer), having helped at 96 of 100 events, Su with 79 out of 100, and Fizz Ahmed, who has helped out at 68 out of 100.

Nathan Lamb and Sophie Johnstone currently hold the fastest times for junior 11-14s with 07:55 and 08:59 respectively, whilst current fastest times held for junior 10 boys and girls are Matthew Fleming (07:45) and Lucy Dent (08:47).

Junior Parkrun is for children aged between four and 14 and is held at 9am every Sunday in 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.

Since its inception, a staggering 9,254km have been covered by the children taking part.

Photos kindly provided by Paul Taylor.