OVER 200 people met in King George V park on Saturday 3rd November for Melksham’s 44th parkrun.
A pleasant autumn morning saw the group’s first organised pacing event, made possible by 60 volunteers including 22 pacers from Devizes Running Club.
The running club provided pacers wearing blue pacer bibs marked 19 to 40, the bibs which were purchased by the running club in support of Melksham parkrun.
Pacers are runners with enough experience to be able to maintain a steady speed and finish the run very close to the time printed on their back.
Organiser Colin Goodhind said, “This doesn’t just help athletic types improve their performance, it also helps those in it for fun or general fitness, who want to ‘up their game’ a bit.
“The atmosphere was amazing, with everyone encouraging each other and many wanting to stay around to see the last finishers come in before getting together in the post-run cafe in the old cricket pavilion for coffee and cake, free until at least the end of the year.
“Visitors from South Gloucestershire, Pembrokeshire, Surrey and Bedfordshire experienced a warm Melksham parkrun welcome, as of course did local man, Alan Whetherly with his guide dog Judy, returning for their second parkrun.
“Melksham’s parkrun is one of over 500 in the UK and is not quite a year old. It has already earned a reputation of being an attractive course in a friendly town and run by friendly and supportive volunteers….. not our words but those of local and visiting parkrunners!
“You don’t have to be an athlete or even a runner of any sort to walk, jog or run parkrun; and it’s absolutely free. Google Melksham parkrun for website, Facebook and Twitter details. Without volunteers there would not be a Melksham parkrun so if you want a taste of the event without the exercise or want a break from running, then please go to the website and click on ‘volunteer’. You will get a warm welcome and find it incredibly rewarding.”
