Hundreds turn out for New Years Day Wepre parkrun

Organisers of Wepre parkrun say the attendance record was smashed on Tuesday as hundreds of runners took part in a special New Years Day edition of the event.   

A big turnout was expected for free event and by 9am 304 runners of all ages were ready to start the 5 kilometer course, the previous biggest attendance was 260.

Weather conditions were favorable for the runners who took on the course consisting of one and a half small loops near the river followed by two larger loops through woodland. 

Ryan Davies of Wrexham AAC ran the course the fastest in a time of 17 minutes 40 seconds, nearly a minute ahead of second fastest Rob Grantham.

After completing the Wepre Parkrun, many competitors went on to run the Chester parkrun in the Countess of Chester Country Park.

Wepre parkrun takes place every Saturday at 9am – more here.

Gallery of pictures from New Years Day Wepre parkrun

For those wanting to offload some of that Christmas indulgence and get fit in 2019, make new friends and possibly take up a new hobby, local running club Deestriders may just have what you’re after!

Following on from the success of last year’s programme, the green gang are once again putting on a “Couch To 5k” event in the New Year for those wanting to start or resume running.

(5K is short for 5 kilometers, or 5,000 meters or 3.1 miles)

[The green gang – Deestriders Running Club]

Couch to 5K is a running plan for absolute beginners. It was developed by a new runner, Josh Clark, who wanted to help his 50-something mum get off the couch and start running, too.

Couch to 5K starts with a mix of running and walking to gradually build up your fitness and stamina.

Week 1 involves running for just a minute at a time, creating realistic expectations and making the challenge feel achievable right from the start.

On your first day, you run for one minute. Then you walk for 90 seconds. Then you run for one minute again. After 20 minutes you’re done.

By the end of the program, you’re able to run for half an hour without stopping.

Sarah Brown, a graduate of last year’s Couch to 5K sessions run by Deestriders has gone on to break the 60-minute mark for 10k, she said:

“The club members were so encouraging. I enjoyed the programme so much I decided to join Deestriders.
 
I’ve represented the club at the Borders League and am looking forward to completing a half marathon and metric marathon in 2019.”

Deestriders Running Club free-to-join sessions go from Corus (Rowleys Drive) in Shotton at 6pm on Tuesday and Thursday nights.

The sessions will last for nine weeks, starting Tuesday 8 January and culminate in participants taking part in a 5k event.

The running club says there is no obligation to join as a member, “but you may wish to do so!”

For more information join the Facebook event “Deestriders Running Club Couch To 5k” or contact Nige Parr (club secretary) on [email protected]