Bedworth Health Centre is proud to be a certified ‘parkrun practice’.
“parkruns have a positive impact on health and wellbeing”
parkruns are free, weekly 5K events for all, every Saturday at 9.00am, in areas of open space (although you don’t have to go every week). They are organised by local volunteer teams, led by a Run Director (wearing a blue and white hi-vis vest). There are over 850 locations in the UK that host parkruns.
The UK Chief Medical Officer’s advice is for all adults to get at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity per week. One third of men and half of all women do not achieve this. Just 10 minutes can make a difference and reduce the impact of chronic health conditions, reducing the need for lifelong medication.
“…having a close association with the Graves (Sheffield) parkrun event has had the biggest health impact of anything I have done in my career so far.”
Dr. Ollie Hart – GP, Sloan Medical Centre, Sheffield
They are open to all including those who are inactive or have health conditions / disabilities – you can take part in any way that suits you (e.g. walk / jog / run / volunteer / spectate etc.). They are an opportunity to socialise, make friends and be part of a welcoming and supportive community.
There is good evidence that volunteering offers health benefits such as decrease rates of depression, reducing isolation and improving self-esteem. Elisabeth’s story on the parkrun blog is a particularly inspirational story of how one volunteer has enriched her life through parkrun.
parkruns are not races, it doesn’t matter how long it takes you to get around, go at a pace that suits you – what matters is being outside, being active and having fun.
For the more competitive / statistically minded you can have your parkrun times recorded – you just need to register online (you only have to do this once!). You then need to print out a barcode to record your results but this can then be used at any parkrun, anywhere in the world.
Once you have completed 50 / 100 / 250 / 500 parkruns (or 10 if you’re under 18), you get a free t-shirt!
There are also 2K ‘junior parkruns’ for 4 to 14 year olds and their families on Sundays at 9.00am. There is a short optional warm-up exercise before the start. There are more than 200 junior parksuns in the UK. Once you have completed 11 / 21 / 50 junior parkruns, you get a free wristband and after you have completed 100 junior parkruns you can receive a certificate. The nearest junior parkrun to Bedworth is at the GEC Recreational Ground, Rugby.
“I’ve had successes with people with anxiety, depression, diabetes and heart disease, as well as those who want to improve their blood pressure or get fitter. It’s a win-win… for my patients and the NHS. (My)…patients are healthier, happier and on fewer medications… the NHS saves a fortune on unnecessary drugs and dealing with their side effects.”
Dr. Simon Tobin – GP – Norwood Surgery, Southport
parkrun also have a dedicated YouTube channel; titled parkrun. A slideshow with further information on parkrun can be viewed via the link below.
For more information, visit www.parkrun.org.uk. Each parkrun has its own website which tells you things like how to get there, parking and toilet arrangements, and what the course is like. On the day you can also ask the Run Director or a marshal (wearing a yellow hi-vis vest) any questions. The Bedworth parkrun welcomes dogs on short leads (one per owner) and buggies (any children aged under 11 must run with a responsible adult).