Levengrove’s Parkrun returns this Saturday - exactly 17 months to the day of the last event being held.
The run was set up in late 2019 by a team of committed volunteers, and proved a huge hit in the 14 events which took place - with numbers increasing week-on-week and upwards of 200 people hitting the trails to run, jog or walk the 5k route every Saturday morning.
However following the March 2020 lockdown the event was put into cold storage, with organisers now set to welcome Parkrunners back this Saturday (August 14).
And despite measures put in place due to Covid-19, the restart will be an emotional moment for everyone involved.
Volunteer Anna Napier told the Lennox: “Our last event was March 14 2020, which was quite late really considering how quickly the country shut down after that.
“I think emotions are pretty high amongst the team. Everyone is pretty up for being back, but at the same time we’re all wanting to make sure that we do everything as safely as possible.
“I’m pretty sure people will be respectful of the guidance we’re asking people to stick with.
“There’s a lot riding on this and we want to get it right. But it’s only really possible because of the volunteers.”
Saturday’s run director Maureen Byrne added: “For our own volunteers we want to make sure that they feel safe.
“We’ve made a few adjustments to the course; we’ve moved the start point down a bit from the crossroads near the cafe.
“That gives more of a run up the hill which allows people to space out a wee bit more and avoids people bunching up, especially at the end when it can get really busy with people finishing with similar times.
“We don’t want people just hanging around whilst they get their barcodes scanned, which is such a shame because that’s one of the nicest parts of Parkrun. The communal aspect.
“But we don’t want people huffing and puffing at the end of a run and putting anybody at risk.
"The cafe at Levengrove is still open for us though and we are keen for runners to hang around for a coffee and a chat at that stage."
Parkrunners are also being urged to position themselves at the start according to their estimated finishing time, avoid spitting, high-fiving or any other form of contact and remain socially distanced where possible.
Without volunteer support from a team including co-event director David Kennedy, Charlotte Craig and Theresa McIntyre the event wouldn’t run, and the group are always on the lookout for more volunteers.
Sharon Goldie, who is coordinating volunteering this weekend, explained more about the roles on offer.
She said: “The easiest roles are for the marshalls. They are there to keep people safe and it’s a role that anybody can do. You just stand at a point and encourage people and cheer them on.
“You are there in case somebody falls or whatever.
“They are there primarily for safety.
“If people haven’t volunteered before then that’s a really nice way to get involved.
“Parkruners are really grateful to have someone clapping them on and encouraging them. It just makes a difference.
“We are also looking for more people to help with the timing, which is done via an app on your phone, and with scanning barcodes - because it can get quite busy at the 25 minute mark.
“At first I wondered why people would do this for nothing; but then you realise that people get so much out of it.
“Until you’ve done it yourself it can be hard to understand why people don’t see it as a chore.”
The Levengrove Parkrun starts at 9.30am on Saturday. To find out more visit the run's Facebook page.
