Loch Leven's Larder, Kinross Road Runners, and a core team of volunteers are celebrating the eighth anniversary of the parkrun, which has grown to become a popular community event since its launch in 2018.
Since the very first run, on August 11 that year, the 2km looped path, which takes those using it down to the Loch Leven Heritage Trail, and back again, has proved to be extremely popular with runners and walkers all over the area.
The route was mapped out by Emma and Rob Niven, owners of Loch Leven's Larder. Running it twice, and adding a little bit extra at the start, makes it up to the 5km required for parkrun, who quickly adopted the loop, making it one of their official routes.
Every Saturday morning, at 9.30am, it comes alive, with runners from all over the area taking part.
Key milestones and volunteer support
Over the past eight years, 340 parkrun events have been successfully staged here, with 28,500 runs in total, involving the incredible total of 577 volunteers.
“We can’t believe eight years have gone by so quickly. We are so pleased that this scenic route has become so popular and well used in the local community,” said Emma Niven, who, along with her husband Rob, are members of Kinross Road Runners, and keen parkrun participants themselves.
Such is their enthusiasm for parkrun, that like many in what is now a worldwide community, they seek out parkruns abroad, when they are on holiday, or away on business.
The couple have now completed parkruns all over Europe, including Italy, Germany, Sweden, Norway, France, Switzerland, and Poland, as well as some closer to home in England, and in other parts of Scotland.
Community impact and route reliability
“We hoped having a parkrun here would bring so much benefit to the area, but it has well and truly surpassed our expectations,” said Emma. “Kinross Road Runners, and the core team of volunteers involved in parkrun, are to be commended.
“Spreading the word so enthusiastically over the years as to how much fun parkrun is, they have been the best advocates for people of all ages and fitness levels getting involved.”
Volunteers originally came forward from both Kinross Road Runners and the wider community, to make the parkrun loop a reality in 2018. Obtaining funding and permissions to start a new parkrun, they liaised with Rob and Emma who were able to have the loop laid down on their land at Channel Farm.
Due to the nature of the path, the route has gained a reputation for being extremely reliable in the face of inclement weather, when other parkruns in the area may be closed due to flooding, or windswept debris.
This has most definitely built the route’s popularity amongst the Saturday morning parkrun community.
Additional uses and future outlook
At other times of the week, the loop is well used by local club, Kinross Road Runners, a number of whom make up the core volunteer team of Run Directors.
Along with using its incline for hill rep training sessions, over the past eight years they’ve held numerous club events at the loop, including a Hare & Tortoise event, together with two separate 24 hour charity fundraising events where at least one runner is always on the loop at any given time over a 24 hour period.
Scott Strachan from Kinross Road Runners was keen to thank the couple for initially agreeing to the creation of the parkrun route.
He said: “Rob and Emma’s unwavering support and cooperation in 2018 created what is a very accessible parkrun route. Over the years though, they have been instrumental in helping it become one of the very best, and most vibrant, parkruns in the whole area, enjoyed by runners of all abilities.”
“From the point of view of those looking to walk, rather than run, the 2 km loop can be used by anyone at all, any time of day, any day of the year,” said Scott.
“Many people visit the Larder and walk the 2km loop as it takes them down towards the Loch, returning along a different path back to the Larder,” he said.
“Equally many thousands of people a year use the Loch Leven heritage trail, the 20km circuit of Loch Leven, using the connecting path up to the Larder for some well-earned refreshment!”
Emma added: “Seeing this parkrun route take off has been one of the most rewarding aspects of our personal and professional lives in the past eight years. We have given back to the local community who have supported us for so many years here.”
