First Ecos ‘parkrun’ proves a huge success

The launch event attracted 86 local runners and keep fit enthusiasts.

Ballymena Mayor Hubert Nicholl and Ballymena Borough Council Grants Officer James Healy and Countryside Officer Lindsay Dunlop were on hand to help start the run and to see the popularity of the new event which has been well supported by the council.

Ecos parkrun is a free weekly 5 kilometre timed run which will be held at 9.30 every Saturday morning throughout the year.

Each parkrun is organised on a voluntary basis by the participants and ongoing costs are met by national sponsors, currently Adidas, Sweatshop and Lucozade Sport to enable events like Ecos parkrun to be sustained for the long term.

The participants in the first parkrun ranged from teens to retirees and from experienced athletes to newcomers to running.

They took anywhere between a swift 17 minutes and a more leisurely 40 minutes to complete the route through the park which is just over three miles.

Each runner’s time was recorded on the parkrun website and they will be able to monitor their progress in the future.

There will also be a monthly award but unlike traditional races these will be to mark dedication, persistence and improvement rather than speed.

Robin Alexander Chair of Ballymena Runners said: “The local club has helped set up Ecos parkrun to give everyone no matter what their age or ability a chance to challenge themselves in a friendly atmosphere.

“We are celebrating our 20th year and bringing a regular long term event to the town is a great way to mark the occasion”.

Club member Susanna Allen who was the driving force in bringing the event to the town thanked the council for being so positive and supportive and the club members for all their efforts to make parkrun such a success.

Mayor Hubert Nicholl said: “When the council heard about parkrun we knew that it would be an ideal event to encourage people from in and around Ballymena to participate in regular exercise.

“I am delighted the council has been able to fund and support the establishment of the first parkrun outside Belfast.”

He encouraged young people in particular to get outdoors and active. He also noted that parkrun would attract locals and people from further afield to enjoy the natural oasis of Ecos park with its abundant wildlife.

The leaders were not too distracted by the scenery and for the men John Morley of Tyne Bridge Harriers came first in 17:02 followed by two locals Jack Neeson in 17:19 and Matthew McCooke from Ballymena Runners in 17:48.

For the women Kelly Courtney, was first in 21:59 and Sandra Clements finished in 22:47 both from home club Ballymena Runners and Heather Baxter was third in 23:08.

To join in future parkruns individuals just need to register once on http://www.parkrun.org.uk/ecos/ where there is lots more information about this new event. There is a further report on the first event in the Sports section which will carry a weekly parkrun report.