It’s 8.45 on a bright autumnal Saturday morning. Entering Woodhouse Moor by the statue of Queen Victoria, the park is peaceful. Just a handful of people in high-vis vests, the mysterious appearance of a few guard railings and some brightly coloured cones on the path provide any sort of hint that something might be about to go off here.
Ten minutes later, in another corner of the park, a low humming sound in the background is developing into a palpable buzz as the Duke of Wellington, resplendent in his red wellies, is engulfed by over 600 folk of all ages, shapes and sizes, chattering good naturedly as they prepare to spend the next half an hour or so, walking, jogging, pushing buggies or running around the perimeter of the park.
Welcome to Woodhouse Moor parkrun, the fourth oldest of the worldwide phenomenon that is parkrun. It was the first to be established outside of London some fifteen years ago, and was recently described in The Guardian as one of the ‘Top 10 parkruns in the World!’
It is hardly a sporting event. There are no entrance fees, no trophies, no medals, no winners or losers, just hundreds of people and a handful of volunteers who turn up week in and week out in all weathers to make it happen, who choose to meet and make their way around three laps of the park at their own pace, covering 5km as they do.
So why do they do it? Needless to say, people’s motivations are as diverse as the people themselves. For some it is a chance to improve their health and fitness in a friendly, supportive environment that holds none of the judgemental terrors of the gym. For others it is the companionship and sense of community they get from the regular attendees, while many talk about the mental health benefits to be gained from simply getting out of bed and going for a walk or jog in the park. Whatever the motivation, the health benefits are clear and a number of local GP Practices in Leeds now even prescribe parkrun amongst their range of treatments!
And perhaps the most astonishing thing about this event? By 10am there will be not the slightest indication that it ever happened. Woodhouse Moor returns to its regular routine of dog walkers, families, skateboarders and students. Until next Saturday of course ...
Find out more here: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/woodhousemoor/
Photos courtesy of parkrun uk and Alan Beswick
Alan Beswick, 2019
For photographs of Woodhouse Moor, past and present, see the Woodhouse Moor gallery and Woodhouse Moor in the Past.
