'I'm 78 but running keeps me young': Parkrun celebrates its 20th birthday

“Running keeps me young” says a 78 year old Parkrun ambassador, as the popular weekly 5k event celebrates its 20th birthday this weekend.

Founded by Paul Sinton-Hewitt and a small group of friends in London 20 years ago, Parkrun quickly exploded in popularity and now takes place across 23 countries, with 10 million registered runners. Parkruns are free to attend 5k events, organised by volunteers and welcome to all.

It didn’t take long for the concept to spread northwards, with the first ever Scottish Parkrun taking place in December 2008 at Pollok Country Park - where Parkrun’s 20th birthday will be celebrated on October 5.

Liz Corbett at the Pollok Parkrun (Image: Parkrun)

Liz Corbett is the Scottish coordinator for Parkrun and co-event director for the Pollok branch, having been involved since 2009. The 78-year-old former environmental health officer says Parkrun is “an amazing force for good.”

“It’s a true community run,” she said. “You’ll see people of all ages, all shapes and sizes, all levels of fitness. There are lots of volunteers, lots of people happy to be there and enjoying the outdoors. You even get a few people with buggies and dogs.

“It's really a community event. I think part of the reason it’s been so successful is that it replaces that sense of the community that’s been lost over the years. It makes people happy.

“And there’s not too many free activities you can do with your family on a Saturday morning, but this is one.”

Runners take in the lovely greenery at Pollok Park (Image: Parkrun)

Liz says the social aspect is as important as the exercise.

“It’s about having a good time,” she said. “We always go for a cup of tea and a cake afterwards and have a chat. That’s the bit that people enjoy and look forward to - having a wee chat after the exertion of the morning.

“I’ve made so many friends through Parkrun. The amount of people I'll know by name doing the Great Scottish Run on Sunday is unbelievable.”

Liz volunteering at a Pollok Parkrun (Image: Parkrun)

Liz says there are loads of benefits to running, and she credits it with keeping her active and healthy.

“There’s nothing else like it,” she said. “What’s not to like? You’re out in the open air, you’re with like-minded people, you’re doing what you love.

“It keeps you healthy later in life. It’s not giving away any secrets to say that I’m quite old, and running has definitely kept me going and active longer. It keeps me young.”

Liz’s co-event director for Pollok Parkrun is Brian Willet, a 59-year-old Glasgow University employee.

Event co-director Brian Willet (Image: Parkrun)

Brian has completed over 200 Parkruns, as well as volunteering 165 times. He says that Parkrun is open to all different kinds of people, and is a great way to forget your worries for a while.

“Some people come just to have a blether and a walk with their pals,” he said.

“Others are at the end of a ‘couch to 5k’ journey, and some are full time athletes who are trying to set personal bests. It’s the full range.

“It’s nice to just go along and forget your troubles. You don’t have to worry about anything from your daily life, you’re just having a run in the park."

Liz, far right, with Brian just behind her (Image: Parkrun)

Brian also commented on what a sociable event Parkrun is.

“You just strike up random conversations with people you’ve never met before, and enjoy yourself in the company of all these lovely people out in the fresh air,” he said.

“Sometimes I’ll go to a Parkrun and bump into people I went to school with and haven’t seen for about 40 years.”

A number of Parkruns take place across Glasgow every Saturday morning at 9.30am, including events in Pollok Park, Victoria Park, Ruchill Park, Tollcross Park and Springburn Park. They are free to attend and couldn’t take place without the help of generous volunteers. Anyone interested in volunteering is warmly encouraged to get involved.

More information at: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/.