Locals on their marks for Lisburn parkrun

Sport Northern Ireland and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure have been working with not-for-profit organisation parkrun to host the runs at eight new venues across the Province.

The events, which take place in local parks, are open to people of all ages and abilities, and there is no charge for taking part. Set in a welcoming environment and targeted at participation rather than competition, these events give runners the opportunity to participate in sport in a community environment.

Facilitated by local, trained volunteers, parkrun is encouraging local people to participate and volunteer.

There are currently 600 participants per week taking part in parkrun at seven established events within Northern Ireland.

However, plans are now being put in place to develop eight new venues in; Belfast, Lisburn, Antrim, Cookstown, Omagh, Fermanagh; Derry and Armagh.

Acting Director of Participation for Sport Northern Ireland, John News, commented:

“These parkrun events provide excellent opportunities for new participants to get involved in sport and physical recreation on a weekly basis, including young people, older people, women and girls, people with a disability, and people from socially and economically deprived communities. parkrun is an important initiative in local communities as it creates links with existing sports clubs, providing life-long opportunities for participation and improving the health of those who take part.”

To find your nearest parkrun event or for more information about Volunteering please go to http://www.parkrun.org.uk/ or contact parkrun NI Co-ordinator Matt Shields on [email protected]