Carmarthen junior parkrun celebrates first year

The Carmarthen junior parkrun is celebrating its first anniversary at the town’s park with hundreds of children having laced up their trainers and run the circuit with friends.

parkrun is a hugely popular global running movement which enables people to enjoy timed runs as part of a group in their local park, organised and supported by volunteers.

The junior parkrun in Carmarthen was set up last year by volunteers and Carmarthenshire County Council’s sport and leisure team after securing £3,000 match funding from Sport Wales.

It has taken place every weekend since, with hundreds of children having taken part with the support of 16 regular volunteers.

The 2km timed run is open to all children aged between four and 14.

It’s enjoyed by the likes of Carmarthen’s Ifan Bowen, who said he loves taking part because he enjoys “having fun and just being able to run and meet friends”, and Scarlett Mackenzie-Jones who said “I enjoy the exercise every week”.

Organiser Andrea Brabrook said: “We have on average 40-50 children taking part each week and it has been a great success.

“On Sunday we will be celebrating our first anniversary with a party afterwards in the park, with a bouncy castle and fun for the children. 

“We’d love to see more children coming along and getting active.”

The parkrun takes place at Carmarthen Town Park and starts at 9am every Sunday morning.

All runners must register on the parkrun website and bring along their printed barcode which will be scanned at the beginning and end of each run.

Runners can check their progress on the website’s results page. The UK average junior running time is 12 mins 32secs.

Jake Morgan, Carmarthenshire County Council’s Director of Communities, said: “We were very keen to support the parkrun, and it’s great to see that it’s still going strong a year on.

“Running with friends in the fresh air is a great way for children to get active and enjoy a regular fitness routine. We encourage children of every ability to give it a go.”

For further information email Andrea Brabrook Andrea.brabrook@parkrun.com