The inaugural Melksham parkrun took place on Saturday 16th December with 102 runners testing out the new course. The feedback from the runners and the volunteers has been fantastic and hundreds more have attended the two subsequent Saturday events.
The free, weekly 5k run takes place every Saturday morning at 9am in King George V Park, Melksham, SN12 7ED. To be environmentally friendly, please walk, run or cycle to the venue, but if arriving by car, try to share lifts. It is not a race against other runners, but a 5k timed run and it can really be whatever you want it to be, whether that’s for fun or as part of a training plan.
It offers an opportunity for all the local community, male or female, young or old, to come together on a regular basis to enjoy this beautiful park and get physically active into the bargain. We want to encourage people to jog or run together irrespective of their ability – this event is truly open to all and best of all it really is FREE! (**Due to Safeguarding, all children under the age of 11yrs must be accompanied by a Parent or responsible adult. The child must be kept at arms length & not run way ahead of said Adult, i.e. they must run the whole course together at all times).
Taking part is easy – just register before your first ever parkrun (parkrun.com). The great thing is that you only ever need to do this once! Clearly print off your unique barcode ID which can be used at any UK parkrun, then just set your alarm for Saturday morning and get yourself there! Unfortunately barcodes on mobile phones cannot be scanned so please bring a printed copy… don’t forget your barcode! #dfyb!
Every week we grab a post parkrun coffee in Melksham Pavilion, King George V Park – please come and join us! Maybe swap stories about your run that day, chat to other runners over a cup of tea or coffee and just be an important part of this new running community.
Volunteers needed
Every parkrun only happens because of the time and dedication of our volunteers. Melksham already has a core group of volunteers, but more are needed to help put on this fantastic weekly event. Could you help out on an occasional Saturday morning? It’s great fun, there are a variety of roles and everyone will be shown what to do.
About 25 are needed each week at Melksham to help safely direct the runners. Otherwise the event cannot take place. Assistance is very much appreciated & means volunteers get to run on other Saturdays as well if they wish. Various roles include setting up kit and close down, being a Timekeeper, helping with Finish Tokens or Barcode scanning & above all, cheering the runners on. It is fun and rewarding.
If you feel you could help out click here for more info or e-mail: melkshamhelpers@parkrun.com.
Appeal for scalpings
Parts of the new course would benefit from additional compacted scalpings being added to help the runners stay safe under foot. This could include material left over from patio/ extension/ driveway projects or even highways work. Please get in touch if you have any similar materials available for use. Contact melkshamhelpers@parkrun.com.
We look forward to seeing you at the Melksham parkrun soon.
For more information visit http://www.parkrun.org.uk/melksham/ or ‘like’ us on Facebook @melkshamparkrun
KEEVIL VILLAGE 