Nairn Parkrun is hailed a success with almost 200 people taking on the 5km Links route
Almost 200 runners and walkers gathered at the Links in Nairn this morning for the town’s first-ever Parkrun.
After months of work behind the scenes by the team of directors and volunteers, the event was hailed a success by organisers and will become a weekly regular community event going forward.
Volunteer Jonathan Brodie said it was a wonderful morning and that the hope is to help tackle social isolation in Nairn.
He said: “We were delighted to see so many people complete their first ever parkrun, and we hope to see many more in the weeks ahead.
A group of almost 25 volunteers helped run the first edition of the event — which will return each Saturday morning to the area at 9.30am.
Mr Brodie said this was a real team effort and they are hoping for more volunteers to join the group to make its success consistent in the future.
“Anyone at all can volunteer with us, no matter how physically able,” he said.
“We are hoping volunteering at parkrun in Nairn can be a tool for combating social isolation in the community, and look forward to linking with the local GP practice to expand the parkrun prescribing initiative into Nairn too. We will be at the Links every week!
“Volunteering is really good fun and all the training needed will be provided on the day.”
The initiative was a few months in the making after and has come a long way after a first attempt to test waters for appetite for this event in the local community.
“Getting setup has been in many ways pushing against an open door,” Mr Brodie explained.
“We've had great support and encouragement from the community, and the run director group of myself, Judy, Jan, Susan, Iain and Tim have worked together as a great team to pull it all together.
“The Highland Council have been fab and really encouraging, and we got permission for the event last summer. The limiting factor has been obtaining funding. parkrun rules prevent crowd funding, but we hoped to raise support from local businesses which wasn't available ultimately.
“The grant from Davidson Trust and subsequently from Haventus were brilliant, and it was great to have support from Nairn Road Runners in being able to apply to Haventus and receive the grant.
Top stories
-
Man’s body hauled from Highland river by specialist police divers
-
Report by Inverness MP Angus MacDonald exposes depths of Highland care sector crisis as he calls for £60m rescue package
-
ICT Battery Storage files for dissolution
-
Watch: ‘People are still going to come to the Highlands’ - campaigners say a tourist tax could help tackle housing crisis
“Local parkrun teams in Elgin and Inverness (as well as Aviemore and Thurso) have been brilliant in giving our volunteers opportunity to gain experience as well as providing support and encouragement too. It's been a real learning experience for the team all in and I'm really proud of us for this achievement. Long may it continue!”
Parkrun participant Donald Wilson said it was a great start to the Nairn Links event.
He said: “The weather was good and nearly 200 participants of all ages and some four legged friends made good pace setters.
“Well done to the organisers, who will be looking for volunteers to make up a roster for future runs.”
Anyone wishing to get involved in volunteering can do so by contacting nairnlinks@parkrun.com or find more information on the parkrun at www.parkrun.org.uk/nairnlinks.
