Macclesfield Parkrun

Macclesfield parkrun held a special run recently to highlight the 70^th anniversary of the National Health Service and to promote the benefits of keeping active outdoors as part of a healthy lifestyle.

The run featured the highest ever participation for the Macclesfield parkrun, with 384 runners sending out the message that keeping active is one of the best gifts that people can give to themselves, and to the NHS. The event was organised with the support of local doctors, East Cheshire NHS Trust and Eastern Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group. Many of the participants wore surgical gowns and white doctors coats.

Local MP, David Rutley, assisted other parkrun volunteers – congratulating those who had taken part at the end of their run.

Whilst this parkrun event had an NHS theme, it is a weekly Macclesfield fixture, held every Saturday, starting at 9.00 a.m. in South Park. Entry is free and the event is open to runners of all ages and abilities. It aims to encourage more people to enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of running the five kilometre course, and is ideal for family and friendship groups, but people are encouraged to participate individually as well. Participants should register ahead of the race at http://www.parkrun.org.uk/register

On the day, David also took the opportunity to speak with a number of participants, as well as Macclesfield parkrun directors, Jim Nettle and Tim Marsh, and those who volunteer to help organise and stage this much-valued event. Parkrun was started in 2004 by a group of dedicated volunteers in Bushey Park, Teddington. Since then, the initiative has gone from strength to strength, with hundreds of parkrun events taking place up and down the country.