Published: Friday 28th October 2016 | 1.09pm
On the 19 November 2016, Cannock Chase will play host to the very first parkrun in the District.
Cannock Chase parkrun funded by the Chase Community in partnership with four local running clubs, will see runners turn out weekly on Saturday mornings at 9am to take part in a 5K timed run at Marquis Drive Country Park.
Parkrun organise free, weekly (Saturday mornings) 5K timed runs around the world. They are open to everyone, are free, safe and easy to take part in.
Councillor Muriel Davis, Portfolio Leader for Health and Wellbeing at Cannock Chase Council said “I am delighted that the parkrun is coming to Cannock Chase; one of the Councils priorities is to increase access to physical activity for better health and wellbeing. This run will give residents the opportunity to take part in a free and safe place to run, with guidance from the local running clubs and lots of encouragement.”
Parkrun have a dedicated website (http://www.parkrun.org.uk/) and a member of the public interested in doing a run can search for a parkrun location and find out information about the course, as well as getting information on local news items, view the photo gallery and find out information on volunteering opportunities. There is also a results page where people can find out information on their past performance.
Parkrun aims to have an event in every community that wants one. This is a real opportunity to put Cannock Chase on the map as the destination for those looking to get physically fit. Currently the nearest location for Cannock Chase residents to take part in a parkrun is either Wolverhampton (West Park), Walsall (Walsall Arboretum) or Stoke on Trent (Hanley Park).
Building on the highly successful beginner running groups that were commissioned through the Cannock Chase partnership for two consecutive years and delivered by Staffordshire Athletics Network and a team of volunteers; Cannock Chase parkrun will offer those new to running as well as established runners a safe area to run, get fit and maintain fitness and activity levels. There is the opportunity for a chat over a hot drink in the Café at Cannock Chase Visitors Centre afterwards. The success of parkrun relies heavily on volunteers and the social community so even if you are not a runner or cannot run at the moment you are encouraged to head to Cannock Chase parkrun to meet likeminded individuals and to support the run,
The recent Locality Profile for Cannock Chase (2016) states that around seven in ten adults have excess weight (either obese or overweight) which is higher than the national average. The proportion of people who are obese in Cannock Chase is also higher than the England average and in addition to this, less than half of Cannock Chase adults meet th recommended levels of physical activity. Furthermore, around three in ten Cannock Chase adults are physically inactive, higher than the England average (equating to around 26,000 people)
A partnership group comprising of County Council Countryside Management, Staffordshire Athletics Network, Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles, Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent, Chase Harriers , Chasewater Runners, Rugeley Runners and Stafford Harriers, have brought their skills and expertise together to turn the vision of a Cannock Chase parkrun into a reality. If you want to be part of a rapidly growing running community either as a participant or as a volunteer please visit http://www.parkrun.org.uk/cannockchase/
or contact Ellen Williams Tel: 07912 755482 Email: chasewaterrunningclub@gmail.com to find out more.
Alan White, Cabinet Member for Health, Care and Wellbeing at Staffordshire County Council said: “One of our key priorities as a County Council is to help people lead healthier and happier lives and we are keen to see more people more active more often.
“Having a parkrun in Cannock Chase is great news and means that people now have an accessible and safe place to run with guidance from some of our local running clubs.
“Keeping fit and healthy and doing some form of exercise like running is not only good for the body but also good for the mind. So, not only is taking part good for your overall health and wellbeing, but you also get to see some of the wonderful scenery around Cannock Chase at the same time too. It’s free, fun and for everyone, so I would encourage people to get involved.”