ACTIVE OUTDOORS: Inverness kids on their marks for parkrun anniversary fun

John Davidson speaks to the organisers of junior parkrun in Inverness ahead of the first anniversary of the weekly 2k children’s event

After completing his first ever junior parkrun, my youngest, Matthew, was inspired to keep going back by the promise of a well-earned wrist band.

Children taking part in the weekly two-kilometre event can get one of the milestone bands for half-marathon and marathon distance – meaning the first one comes after 11 junior parkruns.

Three months’ worth of regular runs is some commitment for a five-year-old!

But earlier this month he reached that goal, and is now on his way to achieving his marathon band.

The wristbands are just one of the incentives to keep people coming back, according to Gillian Brandon, one of the event directors who, along with Nicola Madej, was instrumental in getting junior parkrun started in Inverness.

“The kids generally have a sense of achievement in running this distance,” she said. “It’s not a tiny wee race like the 100 metres at school – there’s a real sense of achievement in the distance, completing two laps.

“They can do it themselves, so even if parents run with them for the first week or two, after that they can run by themselves, they can run with friends and they can inspire their friends.

“The major benefit for me is that it’s free, and it will always be free. The bands are free, too. There are lots of other clubs out there that offer a similar sense of achievement but you pay, and they might be after school where as this is a Sunday morning.”

This Sunday, May 28, the junior parkrun at Torvean – the official name of the Inverness event – marks its first anniversary. Hopes are high for a bumper turnout to mark the occasion.

“We would love to have over 100 kids,” says Gillian. “There’s one in Aberdeen that seems to repeatedly get over 100 kids, so I think we could handle that now!”

The event regularly sees around 70 youngsters, aged between four and 14, taking part in the event, along with a number of adults encouraging the younger ones along.

I found that after the first two or three weeks even Matthew at five years old was determined to do it himself, and while it may not always be a full-on effort, it certainly gives him a sense of satisfaction knowing that he has done the distance himself.

Gillian explains that the event is really open to children of all abilities.

“Those 10 years from a four-year-old to a 14-year-old means there’s a big difference between the times they will finish in, even if they all run their fastest,” she said. “But they don’t get in each other’s way – the younger ones will see the big kids and they seem to just be inspired by it rather than put off by it.”

Other junior parkruns in the Highlands take place at Thurso (Millbank Boating Pond) and Fort William (Ballachulish). All the events start at 9.30am every Sunday, and all you need to do is register in advance at www.parkrun.org.uk to get your barcode, which you can print out or save to a phone to be scanned at the finish line.

Volunteers are needed for that role, as well as to act as marshals at the 10 cones around the course and with other tasks, such as timekeeping and setting up the course.

Parents are encouraged to volunteer and can speak to the race directors or sign up to receive volunteer emails online.

It all helps keep the event running smoothly, and with a big pool of volunteers people can just put their hands up when they are available.

Gillian and Nicola worked hard to set up the junior event as volunteers, and Gillian said it took a long time to get everything in place, even after a venue had been found.

“There are not that many junior parkruns in Scotland,” she said, “and we were the first one in Highland. The 5k parkrun at the Bught had been there for a long time but there was never really a suitable course for the juniors.

“There was always a need and a want for it but never a suitable course, so when they were designing the Torvean park after the new canal bridge, the route was actually purpose-built with juniors in mind.”

She said that with the help of the people behind the junior parkrun in Glasgow, as well as parkrun ambassador Donna Stewart in Thurso, they finally got set to start last May.

“We did a trial run and thought we would have about five kids, and I think we had over 40,” she said. “Our lowest ever turnout – during a bank holiday or a school holiday – was 25. Our highest is mid-70s, so it seems to be pretty steady.”

However, reaching the big 100 for their first anniversary event would be a definite boost for the hard-working organisers.

Donna Stewart explained that the Thurso junior parkrun regularly gets around 15 youngsters, which she says is great for the town.

She added: “As the parkrun ambassador for both events I’m delighted that in the last year there has been three junior parkruns started in the Highlands. Junior parkrun is a great event for kids aged four to 14 to come and get active in an inclusive and supportive environment.

“Kids can run and walk the event by themselves if they choose and they love that level of independence. Additionally junior parkrun is a free event, making it even more accessible for everyone.”

Marie Cuthbert is the event director at the Thurso junior parkrun. She said: “We are delighted with the success of Millbank Boating Pond juniors, it has a great group of dedicated junior parkrunners with seven juniors having achieved their marathon band and seven further juniors having achieved their half marathon band.

“Junior parkrun is a great family event which welcomes runners and walkers of all abilities. It is also a great place to volunteer - there is a real buzz to volunteering and seeing the juniors achieve their 2km on a Sunday morning.”

And there’s no need to stop running even when you are on holiday.

“You can do a bit of what’s called parkrun tourism,” Gillian explains, “so if you do go to other areas you can seek out a parkrun and it still counts towards your tally. You can see other parks and get a sense of community.

“So I think there are loads of benefits, even if it’s just a 2k run every week – you don’t need it for any sort of athletic goals! It’s the routine and that sense of achievement.”

Route details

Torvean junior parkrun

Distance 1.4 miles / 2 km

Terrain Purpose-made path

Start/finish Torvean Park, Inverness

Map You’ll find your way around this course easily enough!

Torvean junior parkrun aims to mark its first anniversary with a bumper turnout of children – and helpers

• Torvean juniors – https://www.parkrun.org.uk/torvean-juniors/

• Thurso Millbank Pond juniors – https://www.parkrun.org.uk/millbankboatingpond-juniors