“It will be ten years this month when parkrun came to the Ecos Nature Park in Ballymena and the local organisers will be marking the occasion by giving something back to the community.
The parkrun at Ecos debuted on March 31st, 2012 making it the first local event outside Belfast and fourth oldest in Northern Ireland.
Since then 423 parkruns have been held, supported by 560 volunteers and accommodating over 6,700 runners from 270 running clubs who have achieved a staggering 10,000 personal bests from a total of 56,000 runs!
Held every Saturday morning at 9:30am, parkrun is a friendly and free weekly timed 5k event open to runners - and non-runners - of all abilities. And you'll never finish last either, they have a volunteer to do just that!
Susanna Allen, Ecos parkrun Event Director, encouraged people to come along and take part in the preparations saying: “The 10th anniversary celebrations kick-off on March 19th when ten oak trees - one for each year - will be planted beside the Millennium Bridge at 10:15am, just after the parkrun itself.
Also on the 19th a litter pick, in conjunction with Ballymena Runners and the Friends of Ecos group, has been organised in order to get the park looking as well as possible ahead of the actual anniversary run on 26th March.
Susanna paid tribute to the 560 volunteers without whom the event could not exist saying: “Giant thank you cards will be available on the 19th so that everyone taking part can leave their own message of thanks to all those that give up their Saturday morning to make the event the success it has become.”
Volunteers are encouraged to either turn up on the day or email ecos@parkrun.com to indicate their interest in helping out. Litter pickers and bags will be provided, if necessary, but please bring your own gloves.
Then, a week later, on the actual anniversary itself, the festivities kick-off at 9:20am with a group warm-up hosted by Claire Martin.
The run itself will start at 9:30am as usual with those taking part encouraged to wear their milestone t-shirt or club running top.
And why not hang around afterwards and help yourself to a well earned slice of cake? A huge cake will be available - the biggest ever at Ecos parkrun - so hopefully there'll be enough for everyone!
Lots of information on the events and how to join in are on the Ecos parkrun and Ballymena Runners websites.”