RUNNERS were out in force to celebrate parkrun’s Monmouth launch on Saturday, with a bumper 146-strong field stepping out around Chippenham playing fields for the first event, reports SARAH CLIFTON.

There were blue skies and lots of anticipation and excitement as the 5km worldwide weekly sensation made its town debut.

Parkrun has been a long time coming to the town, with several groups of runners trying to find a 5km course in the right location.

In 2019, the 2km junior event was established on Sundays at Dixton Road and finally, the stars have aligned in 2022 for the free timed Saturday 5km event.

Runners ranged from the super speedy to the super determined to the tailwalker swishing their dinosaur tail from the back, with 36 different running groups represented, with participants celebrating anything from their first parkrun to their 300th.

Event number one started with a briefing from run director Marina Wright, who thanked all those who have helped make parkrun a reality here.

This included the core volunteer team made up of members of two running groups, Monmouth Rock Up and Run and the Spirit of Monmouth, along with some other keen runners.

The core team have also been helped and supported by the Ross-on-Wye parkrun team and it could not have happened without the support and co-operation of Monmouthshire County Council and Monmouth Sports Association.

Monmouth MP and long-time runner David Davies welcomed runners to Monmouth and highlighted the physical and mental health benefits of running before runners moved into their starting positions.

The parkrun started and finished outside the Sports Pavilion and consisted of four laps – the first a shorter lap around the sports ground and the next three extended to take in Chippenham.

First man home and setting the event’s benchmark at a searing 16 minutes 30 seconds was Oliver Williams of Pontypridd Roadents AC, who just pipped club mate Sam Lewis Jones by 11 seconds and Lliswerry Runners’ Nick Tulp by 13 seconds.

First woman home in 21.23 was Siân Jones of Parc Bryn Bach Running Club.

Fastest Spirit of Monmouth participant was over-50s runner Brian Evans in 22.07, closely followed by fellow veteran Rob Nelson in 22.22.

The final runner finished in 46.52 and the average finish time was 28.16.

The course was enthusiastically marshalled and gloriously shady under the grand old trees that line the playing fields.

In the midst of the current heatwave, runners couldn’t help but feel gratitude to those that had the foresight to plant the trees and the groundsmen who continue to maintain them.

There were 26 volunteers supporting runners and making sure the event was a success, some of them runners and others supporting running friends and family.

“This wide range of runners and supporters is what makes parkrun and the wider running community so special,” said an event spokesperson.

“Parkrun is a fabulous and inclusive introduction to this community and runners quickly realise that running has more to offer than just individual health benefits and race results.

“When the running community comes together, there is additional strength, support and inspiration and hopefully this continues in Monmouth for many years to come.

“Volunteering is encouraged and there are different roles to suit everyone!”

To register for your barcode and find out more, go to www.parkrun.org.uk/

For more information about Monmouth Parkrun go to www.parkrun.org.uk/chippenhamplayingfields/