THUNDER BAY — Multiple groups in the city already offer opportunities to stay in shape by running, but a Thunder Bay woman has now imported a worldwide initiative promoted by a UK-based charity.
Parkrun organizes free weekly timed 5-kilometre walks/runs.
Locally, the volunteer-led event takes place each Saturday morning at Boulevard Lake, where the first one attracted 17 participants earlier this month.
Organizer Jemima Snell moved to Thunder Bay about 18 months ago from England, where she participated in parkruns for a number of years.
"It's been life-changing for me, personally. I've made friends and and gotten fitter and healthier through parkrun."
Snell said there are now about 2,000 organized parkruns around the globe with 400,000 participants, making it what she described as the world's biggest physical activity initiative.
"At its core, it's a community wellbeing initiative, and I'd love to encourage more people to attend, and either start or continue their fitness journey in a friendly and welcoming space. I can attest to the positive impact parkrun has. I know many people who are now healthier and happier because of it."
Snell said Thunder Bay is lucky to already have several running clubs, but "parkrun kind of bridges that gap between walking and running. There's no time limit. Nobody finishes last. You can choose to walk or run week-to-week, you can walk with your dog or your kids, and the next week you can run for a personal best. There's no pressure."
She feels Boulevard Lake is the perfect spot.
"Unfortunately we can't do the full 5K loop around the lake because it does cross the road, and parkruns have to use off-road trails. So we just start at the main car park, then go around and over the dam for 2.5 kilometres, then straight back to the beginning."
The registration process is straightforward, Snell said.
"You just basically sign up online, there's a very short form to fill out, then a little barcode gets mailed to you. You just need to bring that barcode to the parkrun because we scan it as part of the timing system. It's super-easy."
She believes parkrun offers benefits to people with a broad range of running experience.
"The magic of parkrun is that it's literally for everyone. You can be some kind of elite runner and come out and do it in 18 minutes, or you can be someone who's never done 5K, and you can walk it in an hour and twenty minutes."
Snell said there's also a social aspect, as participants often gather after for coffee.
"And that's where we, as the volunteer team, will process results, but everyone's welcome to come and chat and socialize, and make friends."
Children under 11 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Participants may bring their dogs, but only one dog per person on a short, handheld leash is permitted.
