Shawnigan Hills parkrun began 20 weeks ago and, with the exception of one cancellation due to the weather, has taken place every Saturday morning at 9 a.m.
We have had almost 138 different participants, 22 different first finishers, 431 runs covering a total distance of 2,155 km and 118 personal best times. Our highest attendance is 40 and the lowest 16, averaging just under 22 runners each event.
This week, we welcomed first-timers Kevin Van Der Linden (23:05), Cliff Sweeney (53:33) and Tracy Clements (53:48), with seven personal-best times from Pieter DeVries (23:15), Steve Hornick (29:36), David Pope (30:38), Brian Zimmerman (33:49), Tracy Boulter (34:36), Susan Marshall (35:15) and Rachel Lawless (53:48).
So, after 20 weeks, what do people think of parkrun? Here are some testimonies from our regular participants:
• “There aren’t many outdoor activities that welcome everyone: walkers, runners, dogs, kids, people pushing strollers, etc. — I love seeing such a variety of people committed to healthy living!”
• “I really enjoy the company and the enthusiasm I get from all the participants and volunteers.”
• “I started running eight years ago and got hooked. If parkrun had been here then it would have been a lot easier.”
• “After a busy and hectic workweek, I find it refreshing and rejuvenating to start the weekend with a bunch of happy and enthusiastic parkrun newcomers, regulars and volunteers.”
• “Parkrun is a time and place (many places, in fact) to connect with others and participate in healthy activity.”
• “Parkrun offers intrinsic payoffs like the support of others and posted results, in the form of a weekly, easily-digestible, 5km walk/run. And as a bonus, for me anyway, is the invite to meet at the Shawnigan Coffee House located in the village after the run.”
Next run: Saturday, Feb. 22 at 9 a.m.
– Mark Swannell, organizer
