Parish Cake - Summer 2019

club news
Bedgebury
Pinetum
parkrun
Robin Tait introduces this inclusive
weekly event
AT 9AM every Saturday morning
over 150 parkrunners set off on
a timed 5km (3.1miles) scenic
run along Bedgebury Pinetum’s
stunning forest tracks. The term
“parkrunner” covers people
of every age and ability and
includes walkers, joggers or
runners, as well as parents with
children or push-chairs. Several
dogs run each week and seem to
enjoy it even more than owners.
Bedgebury Pinetum parkrun
has been growing steadily and
celebrated its third anniversary
in March. Younger children
can enjoy a shorter 2km junior
parkrun in Goudhurst on Sundays.
Being free to participate,
there is a total reliance on local
volunteers to organise and to
act as marshals, timekeepers,
tail-walkers and so on. There
is a hard core of stalwarts that
assist most Saturdays and
runners are encouraged to
volunteer once every ten runs.
RIGHT: Lucy, Jack,
Emily and Robin Tait
“THERE IS
A HARD
CORE OF
STALWARTS
THAT ASSIST
MOST
SATURDAYS
AND
RUNNERS
ARE
ENCOURAGED
TO VOLUN-
TEER ONCE
EVERY
TEN RUNS”
The Duke of Edinburgh Award
Scheme recognises parkrun as
a qualifying volunteer activity
and Cranbrook School has been
a huge help in arranging DoE
students for several volunteer
tasks. The Slack family from
Sissinghurst were particular
stalwarts in the early days when
there was a struggle to build up
numbers.
parkrun is free though you are
encouraged to register online and
print off a barcode before your
first run. This barcode tracks your
position and time so you can set
your own goals. However, parkrun
is very much not a race – it is a
more
info
lovely inclusive weekly event.
At Bedgebury parkrun there is a
£3.00 car park charge until 11am,
but volunteers can park for free.
After the event, you can enjoy a
coffee in the Bedgebury Pinetum
café knowing you have started
your weekend in a healthy way!
Everyone is welcome to come
along to parkrun any Saturday
morning to either trot round the
course at your own pace or to
spectate. Beginners are especially
welcome to walk or jog/walk
– perhaps as part of the NHS
“Couch to 5k” fitness programme.
You will never come last – that is
the role of our tailwalkers!
Visit www.parkrun.org.uk/bedgeburypinetum. There is a
link to the parkrun UK website where you can learn more
about the 1,500 parkruns worldwide, attracting a quarter
of a million parkrunners each week. Register at
www.parkrun.org.uk/register
18 Parish Cake • Summer 2019