Newtownabbey confirmed as latest parkrun location

Launching the parkrun starting on Saturday, August 9 in the Valley Park are: (l-r) Matt Shields parkrun NI Ambassador; Mayor of Newtownabbey Alderman Thomas Hogg; Ashleigh Doherty, Newtownabbey Borough Council and Stephen Bartley, Valley parkrun organiser.

The Valley Park has recently been named as one of the latest locations to host the ever-growing weekly parkrun that is growing in popularity with local runners,

The Valley parkrun, which starts on August 9, will take place each Saturday at 9.30am providing free, 5km timed runs.

Stephen Bartley, parkrun organiser for Valley Park said:“Parkrun is an extremely popular weekly running event which takes place all over the world and through startup funding from the Council, it is now coming to Newtownabbey.

“The event is open to all ages and all abilities – from those trying running for the first time to those who compete - absolutely everyone is encouraged to put on their trainers, join in and get fit!”

In the past 12 months parkruns have been introduced in neighbouring Carrickfergus and Larne with huge success.

All those wishing to participate must register online in advance for a unique athlete number. The number is an identification barcode that must be printed off and brought along so that runners’ results can be processed and uploaded online after each run.

After registration, each runner will have an individual page which will detail all events participated in and progress made.

Key to parkrun events, and to the organisation’s not-for-profit status, are the teams of dedicated volunteers from the local community.

In order to assist them in their work, parkrun provides the volunteers with computer equipment, timing devices, barcode readers, signs and the web hosting of the results. Every event has a ‘volunteer’ page crediting those who have made the effort in the most recent week.

To be part of this phenomenon and virtually race against approximately another 460,000 runners in the UK, register your place for the Valley parkrun at www.parkrun.org.uk/valley

For more information on becoming a volunteer, please contact Stephen Bartley on telephone: 028 9034 0244 or visit www.parkrun.org.uk/valley.

Follow the event on Facebook at Valley parkrun, Newtownabbey.