Wirral Council has secured funding for a new parkrun on the banks of the River Mersey, giving runners the chance to enjoy stunning views across to Liverpool. The route will take participants through Vale Park and along New Brighton Promenade.
Free weekly event for all abilities
Parkruns take place at 9am every Saturday morning at almost 1,000 locations around the world. They are free of charge and open to everyone, whether they choose to run, jog or walk. The events cover 5km, while junior parkruns for children aged four to 14 are 2km.
The parkrun held in Birkenhead Park is currently the only 5km parkrun on the Wirral. There is also a junior parkrun held in Wirral Country Park on Sundays.
Volunteers needed to make event a reality
The council says volunteers are needed to make the Vale Park parkrun a reality. A team is required to help organise and run the event between 8.30am and 10.30am every Saturday.
Roles such as event directors, first-time welcomers, event day course checkers, timekeepers and marshals, along with supportive positions including photographers and tail walkers, ensure each event runs safely, smoothly, and inclusively. No experience is needed and volunteers do not need to have attended a parkrun before.
Council and Active Wirral welcome new event
Cllr Jenny Johnson, the chair of the council's tourism, communities, culture and leisure committee, said: "Parkruns are hugely popular events, as we see at Birkenhead Park and Wirral Country Park. I'm sure a parkrun in Vale Park would prove just as popular, giving residents and visitors the chance to be active in a fantastic location with stunning views across the River Mersey.
"It is something that has been discussed for a while and now we have almost everything in place to get the event underway. Volunteers are at the heart of every parkrun. They help create welcoming community events that bring people together, encourage healthier lifestyles and support people of all ages and abilities to get active."
Fiona Hanik, health development officer for Active Wirral, said: "We are really excited to be setting up a new parkrun event in Vale Park. So far, there has been an excellent response from residents wishing to volunteer, which is fantastic news, but the more the merrier."
Anyone interested in volunteering can register their interest by emailing fionahanik@wirral.gov.uk.
