Levengrove Parkrun marked a major milestone last month, as volunteers, runners, walkers and joggers had reason to celebrate.
May 13 saw the 100th running of the popular event, with people of all ages turning up to take the route.
The Parkrun started in December 2019 offering a free, timed 5km route in the Levengrove Park for people to walk, run and volunteer every Saturday morning.
Since formation the Parkrun has become extremely popular with locals as a large group of parkrunners has formed since its first event.
A ‘Couch to 5k’ running group which was set up by a core team of volunteers has managed to help over 80 people get into running regularly.
And a Junior Parkrun for youngsters between the ages of four to 14 also launched last year - and takes place at the park every Sunday morning.
There was 184 people who turned out on May 13 to celebrate the 100th event, the highest number post-Covid.
The event also included a birthday cake and a celebratory atmosphere.
Founding core team member Maureen Byrne, who pulled on the run director vest for the event, said: “The buzz at our 100th parkrun sums up why I stepped forward to be part of the team who initially brought Parkrun to Dumbarton.
“Every week a group of volunteers come together to create something special - everyone leaves feeling better than they did when they arrived. That’s the power of people and Parkrun.”
It wasn’t just the event that reached 100 as two of the Parkrun founding core members, Run Director Sharon Goldie and Theresa McIntyre also took part in their 100th event.
Sharon said “I’m proud to be part of the founding team who bring Parkrun to our community each week.
“A hundred volunteer events is a milestone for me and there’s nowhere else I’d rather have spent my Saturday mornings than Levengrove Park, encouraging others to believe in themselves”
The milestones didn’t stop there as Paul Lyden reached his 50th volunteering stint at the event while runners Susan Gibbs and Briege Gray completed their 50th and 25th event respectively.
Paul Lyden said: “As soon as I heard a Parkrun was starting at Levengrove I knew I wanted to help out. Volunteering at Parkrun is such a rewarding experience.
“Where else can you turn up and get thanked 120 times every Saturday morning!”
Another parkrunner, Patricia Currie, celebrated her 80th birthday by taking part in the event with several of her family members
People from as far as Devon and Belfast made the journey to Dumbarton to celebrate the Parkrun’s 100th event.
The Levengrove Parkrun takes place every Saturday morning at 9.30am, starting next to the Pavillion Café with everyone welcome.
