Parkruns are set to return to Northern Ireland this weekend following a year where they had been forced into cancellation due to Covid restrictions.
For those who aren't familiar with them, Parkruns are free timed 5km (3.1mile) runs that occur every Saturday morning at 9:30am. The events have attracted thousands of runners throughout Northern Ireland due to the relaxed, social aspect of the runs, and the fact that they are open to people of every ability.
Parkruns take place in locations such as Falls Park, Colin Glen, Ormeau Road, Orangefield Park, Wallace Park, Waterworks Park, Victoria Park, Stormont Estate, and other locations. For a full list of Parkruns in Belfast, see here.
There had been much discussion about the fate of Parkruns, following the UK government's decision to delay the June 21 easing of lockdown restrictions. MPs in England had written to local authorities to make the case that these events should go ahead.
Now, it has been confirmed that they will go ahead this weekend, thanks to Parkrun's new Covid-19 framework.
How will they work?
Parkrun UK, which oversee the more than 2,000 events which take place at locations throughout the UK, have shared an extensive framework document for how events should work, and what participants should know before taking part.
The document gives an overview of the evidence which suggests that outdoor environments are less likely to contribute to Covid-19 transmission.
It also contains details about how participants can be Covid safe while attending events. It asks that all walkers, runners, and volunteers give themselves a self-assessment before attending the event, to make sure that they don't have any symptoms.. It also askes that they give their email addresses as part of their online registration process, for Track & Trace purposes.
The document also states that start lines should be maxmised to allow for more space between participants, and that during the run, participants should use all the available space to avoid coming into contact with other runners.
You can read the full list of rules for Parkruns in the Covid-19 Framework here.
