On Sunday 5 February Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park junior parkrun will celebrate its 100th event.
Since its inception in November 2019, the junior parkrun has attracted 733 participants who have collectively covered a distance of 8,316 kilometres.
The free weekly 2k event for juniors aged 4-14 takes place at 9am every Sunday in parks around the world, and the event at Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park is one of three junior parkruns across Sheffield.
The aim of junior parkrun is to create a happier and healthier planet, encouraging children to get active and participate in regular exercise in a fun, welcoming and safe environment.
The event is run by volunteers and is open to all abilities, making it an enjoyable and inclusive event for the whole family to get involved and walk, jog, run, volunteer, or spectate.
The highlight of Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park junior parkrun for many of the young runners is the finish line, where they get to sprint down the 100 metre track.
The event also provides an excellent volunteering opportunity for members of the community to give back and support a valuable community initiative.
Arif Ali, co-event director, said “We’re delighted to have reached this milestone and are looking forward to welcoming juniors and their families to Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park to celebrate with us this Sunday.
“Providing a safe and enjoyable environment for young runners really helps to develop their skills and confidence, as well as improving their overall health and wellness.
“I’d also like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to all our volunteers who give up their time every week to put on these events. Without the volunteers the junior parkrun simply wouldn’t happen and we really appreciate their dedication and support.”
Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park junior parkrun is a testament to the positive impact that community-led initiatives can have on the health and wellbeing of young people and a shining example of the Park’s continued efforts to provide opportunities for families to lead healthier and more active lifestyles.
To find out more visit www.parkrun.org.uk/sheffieldolp-juniors or search for @sheffieldolpjuniors on Facebook.
The event is free but please register before your first visit – www.parkrun.org.uk/register/. You only need to register with parkrun once and then bring a scannable copy of your barcode every time you take part.
To find out more about volunteering at Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park junior parkrun email sheffieldolpjuniors@parkrun.com
