HEALTH & WELLNESS
FIRST STEPS Without the volunteers, Parkruns can’t happen. They’re key to staging every event, whatever the weather, and crucial to building that friendly, community vibe. You can’t run or watch a Parkrun without being buoyed by their dedication and encouragement, and whether you’re trying to beat the course record, walk-running, pushing a buggy, or jogging and nattering – the volunteers will cheer you on. Storey’s Field Parkrun is also playing an important role in setting youngsters off on their running and volunteering journeys. Helpers at recent events have included a four-year-old (accompanied by their mum) as the tail-walker, and six-year-old Flo – who’s just earned a T-shirt for volunteering an impressive 25 times. Demonstrating that there’s community not just within, but across groups, you’ll see members of many running organisations at each other’s events – from Parkrunners marshalling charity runs, to the Longstanton & Northstowe Limpers helping out with local Parkruns. The Limpers, an amateur group with a social feel, is described by member Chris Poultney as “a liquorice allsorts running club”, with members of all speeds and stages of their running lives. As he explains, they “arrange monthly away days, visiting local Parkruns both to run and volunteer”. Proving the point, I find myself talking to Chris while he and fellow Limpers help out at the finishing line of Storey’s Field Parkrun. Regular trips to Parkruns aren’t their only events. They also organise outings to places like Thetford and Ickworth House, and have regular Monday social runs. They are open to everyone, but Wednesday sessions are for training with coaches – thanks to Living Sport funding. Chris explains that his club were originally the Longstanton Limpers, but opened their arms to new town
WEATHERING THE PANDEMIC SAW MANY GROUPS EMBRACE VIRTUAL RUNS
training sessions, the Limpers implemented a remote Couch to 5k programme, and Cambridge Parkrun encouraged joggers to complete their own 5k, then submit their time online. That wasn’t Cambridge Parkrun’s only virtual adventure during the early stages of the pandemic, though. They also ventured to Cambridge, New Zealand – via Zoom. You could even enjoy the Cambridge Half Marathon virtually in March 2020, during the early phase of the pandemic. Among those taking advantage of this route to invigorate their community was a work-based group: the runners of the Royal Society of Chemistry. In more normal times, the group organise a weekly all-abilities run from their workplace. But with the office shut and everyone working from home, they took part in the virtual Cambridge Half Marathon. In fact, organisers Colin Batchelor and Laura Fisher tell me they had more colleagues joining in than they usually see at the in-person weekly runs. And some of them were brand-new employees, who’d joined as the pandemic hit – building on the group’s ethos of developing friendships for those joining the company. While the Royal Society of Chemistry group is just for employees, it’s not the only organisation to have a condition
Northstowe, changing their name to embrace the freshly minted community. The club has a place on the Northstowe Sports and Wellbeing committee, and has helped to foster the vibrant scene in the area, through running festivals and other initiatives. (VIRTUALLY) MAINTAINING PACE Weathering the pandemic and lockdowns saw many groups embrace virtual runs, training sessions and events. Cambridge & Coleridge Athletic Club hosted remote
ROUTE PLANNER Cambridge offers ample opportunity for scenic jogs – whether at Coldham’s Common Parkrun (top), or past university colleges around the city centre (above), the great outdoors awaits
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