NEW CRICHTON PARKRUN AT THE CRICHTON ESTATE FROM JANUARY
The Crichton Trust is delighted to host the new Crichton parkrun on the Crichton Estate from 6 January 2018.
What better way to start 2018, than committing to the Crichton parkrun – a free, weekly, timed 5k community event which will take place every Saturday morning at 9.30am from Saturday 6 January 2018 on the Crichton Estate.
Adults and children are invited to participate in the Crichton parkrun on a Saturday morning. Volunteers are also required to act as marshals and to fulfil a range of other duties including timekeeping. More information about how to register, the route, facilities and rules regarding the supervision of children can be found on the parkrun website www.parkrun.org.uk/crichton
The event is being organised by keen runner and volunteer Emma Eden, and is supported by The Crichton Trust, Dumfries and Galloway Council and NHS Dumfries and Galloway.
Emma said: “I am passionate about the health benefits of running and exercise and I have decided to organise this event to encourage more people to get active and experience the positive impact this can have on their physical and mental health. Participants are required to preregister and at the end of each run are asked to scan their registration barcode – this provides each participant with data about their run, including their time if this is of interest to them.
I am grateful to parkrun, The Crichton Trust, Dumfries and Galloway Council, NHS Dumfries and Galloway and fellow volunteers who have helped me get this event off the ground locally. I hope local people will get involved from January and I’m sure we will also start to attract regular parkrun participants from other areas to participate in this new route too. I also appeal to anyone who may want to volunteer at these events – if you are interested please register and come along to find out more.”
There is ample car parking in the main car park in front of Easterbrook Hall but please note that due to health and safety requirements, some roads on the estate will be closed off on a Saturday morning. Drivers are encouraged to use the Easterbrook Hall entrance to the estate to access the car park and the toilet and catering facilities available at Neuro’s Bar, Restaurant and Spa (adjacent to Easterbrook Hall).
Councillor Leaver, chair of Children, Young People & Lifelong Learning Committee at Dumfries & Galloway Council said: “I am delighted that our Council has been able to assist with the set-up of this sustainable community led event in a fantastic location. Encouraging all members of the community to participate is extremely important and provides so many physical and mental health benefits, not just as an active participant but also addressing social isolation by building a strong volunteering family to support the event.
Richard Smith, Health and Wellbeing Officer, NHS Dumfries and Galloway added: “The park run is an excellent opportunity for people to get out and be active – running, jogging and walking brings health benefits to people of all ages and abilities. If you want to be more active in 2018, why not set a target to complete a parkrun on a regular basis.”
Alex Haswell, Chief Executive of The Crichton Trust said: “I’m very pleased to support the Crichton parkrun initiative and to encourage the local community to make use of the wonderful grounds and facilities we have here on the Crichton Estate. Anything we can do to encourage physical activity is extremely worthwhile and I’m sure it will grow to become a very popular community event.”
Emma’s business Genesis OHS, is providing the administrative support for Crichton parkrun and to celebrate the launch on 6 January, another local business, The Armstrong Group, will be providing all participants with a free water bottle. The Crichton Trust is a registered supporter of the Crichton Carbon Centre Refill D&G Initiative, and as such participants can refill their bottles with water in Neuro’s Bar, Restaurant and Spa for free at any time. Hot and cold beverages and brunch will also be available from Neuro’s. Nationally, parkrun encourages volunteers and participants to make use of the onsite facilities as a place to meet socially after each run.
Anyone who is interested in getting involved as a volunteer or participant in The Crichton parkrun is required to preregister online at www.parkrun.org.uk/register or to find out more please email: crichtonoffice@parkrun.com
If you’re aged between 4 and 14, you may also be interested in the Junior parkrun event, which is held at Dock Park in Dumfries on a Sunday morning at 9.30am. More information online at www.parkrun.org.uk/dumfries-juniors
As a national organisation, parkrun is keen to work with volunteers to set up new parkrun events throughout the country, so if you would like to see a parkrun event closer to home please contact parkrun who will do what they can to support you.
Participants are asked to arrive no later than 9.20am for a warm-up and the run will start promptly at 9.30am from the Crichton Church. Volunteers are advised to arrive anytime from 9am.
Photograph:
Ready to Run: Emma Eden (centre), volunteer Event Director of Crichton parkrun with supporters of the event at the Crichton Church. Left to right: Councillor Jeff Leaver, Dumfries and Galloway Council, Richard Smith, Health and Wellbeing Officer, NHS Dumfries and Galloway, Gordon Clark, Head of Property Services, The Crichton Trust and Alex Haswell, Chief Executive of The Crichton Trust.
