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Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal celebrates 10 years of parkrun

Wednesday, 28 February 2024 00:00

National Trust Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal near Ripon is celebrating 10 years of hosting parkrun this weekend.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal celebrates 10 years of parkrun National Trust Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal near Ripon is celebrating 10 years of hosting parkrun this weekend. A free community event where anyone can walk, run, or volunteer, the Fountains Abbey parkrun takes place every Saturday morning on a 5-kilometre route around the UNESCO World Heritage Site. And Saturday (2nd March) marks 10 years since parkrun started at Fountains Abbey back in March 2014, when 375 runners took on the first 5-kilometre challenge. Over the past 10 years 140,628 runs have been recorded with over 26,000 people taking part either running or walking their way around the estate on a route which takes in the water garden at Studley Royal and the ruins of Fountains Abbey. Justin Scully, General Manager at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal and Brimham Rocks said:

“parkrun has become an essential part of Fountains Abbey over the years and by hosting it, we feel that we are playing our part in the local community. "We’re absolutely delighted to welcome everyone to parkrun at Fountains Abbey, the chance to be at this amazing place every Saturday morning is a brilliant experience. "It’s a wonderfully uplifting event that brings everyone together and it’s great that our National Trust staff and volunteers have consistently taken part over the past 10 years.”
The Fountains Abbey parkrun is the busiest in the National Trust, on average it sees 420 participants each week and is supported by 31 weekly volunteers, without whom it would not be possible – it is the volunteers that make it happen. [caption id="attachment_101879" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Runners at the Fountains Abbey parkrun (Credit: Kathy Gargan)[/caption] In the 10 years since parkrun began at Fountains Abbey, 1367 people have volunteered their time for free on a Saturday morning, doing everything from marshalling to recording results and some of those have volunteered more than 200 times each. ​Phil Chatterton, Core Run Director Team at the Fountains Abbey parkrun said:
“It was a pleasure to line up at Fountains Abbey for the inaugural parkrun back on 1 March 2014. Little did I know back then that this event would change my life in so many positive ways, as well as the lives of so many others. I just couldn't keep away. "On days when I didn't feel like running, I discovered the pleasures of volunteering which gives an enormous sense of satisfaction. "So, I am really looking forward to standing in the same spot, surrounded by friends and family, as the run director sends us on our way on Saturday 2 March. "The event goes from strength to strength, and I look forward to being here again in another 10 years’ time.”
The 10th anniversary parkrun at Fountains Abbey is set to be a big celebration, with runners from the National Trust, Ripon Runners and local community all coming together to experience the joy of communal exercise and the positive mental and physical health benefits it brings. The 5k parkrun on Saturday 2 March starts at 9am prompt. To register and for more information visit: www.parkrun.org.uk Read more local stories from Your Harrogate here.

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