Edinburgh parkrun set for a Flying Start

13 OCT2009

Excitement mounts in Edinburgh as the countdown to the city's first parkrun event begins. Following two successful test runs in recent weeks, the event goes live on Saturday and organiser Gary Frater is encouraged that over 330 runners have registered for parkrun Edinburgh and expects a bumper turn out for the initial event. Estimates suggest 120/150 runners may take part. Paul Sinton-Hewitt, the man who started the parkrun phenomenon 5 years ago when a handful of people turned up in Bushy Park, London for a free time trial, will attend the launch.

parkrun Edinburgh will be staged at Cramond/Silverknowes Promenade with a race start time of 9:30am (arrive 15/20 mins before start). Runners should congregate at the turning point at Cramond Village near the white painted ship mast adjacent to the causeway to Cramond Island.

Gary Frater told www.scottishrunningguide.com: "Everyone involved in the event is really looking forward to Saturday. The parkrun idea is simple - a 5k time trial held every Saturday morning which is free to all entrants. We ask you to pre-enter online and results are available on the day of the event. A lot of work takes place behind the scenes and we are eagerly seeking the support of other running enthuiasts who can assist as marshals, time-keepers and in assorted administrative tasks." If you think you can help this exciting new initiative then please contact Gary Frater at EdinburghHelpers@parkrun.com

To find out more about parkrun visit www.parkrun.com or for Edinburgh parkrun go to www.parkrun.org.uk/edinburgh. Finally, you have to register before your first parkrun and you can do that quickly at http://register.parkrun.com