By now I think everyone is aware of the phenomena known as Park Run. The free to enter 5km races have not only spread throughout the country but have now gone world wide.
Park Run attracts runners of all abilities from the serious runner to those who want to use the run to keep fit and for 'social' purposes. Despite the race format and the main results appearing in Athletics Weekly, I still know of some who would not consider the Park Run as a race.
So it was with great interest that I learned today of the new initiative to be launched by Brendan Foster's 'Great Run'. Styled upon Park Run and recently piloted in Manchester and known as Great Run Local, The organisation will be rolling out across Britain free to enter 2km and 5km races.
One of the aims of this project is to get 1 million people to take part in Great North, Great N Great Run affiliated activities in one year.
From a personal point of view, the more people who get into running and an even greater choice of races has to be a good thing. It will be interesting though to see how these additional races affect the current running scene.
Will they affect entries into current / traditional road races?
Will they have a positive affect on running / athletic club membership?
The answer is obviously yes but hopefully it will be positive in both cases.
Roll on Great North Local.
Park Run attracts runners of all abilities from the serious runner to those who want to use the run to keep fit and for 'social' purposes. Despite the race format and the main results appearing in Athletics Weekly, I still know of some who would not consider the Park Run as a race.
So it was with great interest that I learned today of the new initiative to be launched by Brendan Foster's 'Great Run'. Styled upon Park Run and recently piloted in Manchester and known as Great Run Local, The organisation will be rolling out across Britain free to enter 2km and 5km races.
One of the aims of this project is to get 1 million people to take part in Great North, Great N Great Run affiliated activities in one year.
From a personal point of view, the more people who get into running and an even greater choice of races has to be a good thing. It will be interesting though to see how these additional races affect the current running scene.
Will they affect entries into current / traditional road races?
Will they have a positive affect on running / athletic club membership?
The answer is obviously yes but hopefully it will be positive in both cases.
Roll on Great North Local.
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