Parkrun comes to town

Photo: Contributed

It’s free, it’s weekly, and it’s bound to get you into shape.

Parkrun is a global phenomenon that takes place every Saturday in more than 850 places, and will soon be happening in Kelowna.

Runners and walkers of all abilities are encouraged to join in.

Kelowna-Mission MLA Steve Thompson and parkrun founding managing director Tom Williamson will help kick off the event Aug. 20 at Truswell and Lakeshore roads, at 8:30 a.m.

The concept of parkrun is to: "turn up every Saturday and run five kilometres. It doesn’t matter how fast you go. It doesn’t matter what you’re wearing. What matters is taking part."

Each event is based in a unique location, such as a park or beach and is organized by volunteers.
This will be the first time parkrun has taken place in Canada.

Organizer Bill Justus says the event is all about inclusiveness and well being.

“We want as many people as possible to feel part of a real local community brought together by our events, as well as our global parkrun family.”

Parkrun started back in 2004 with 13 runners on a blustery day in Teddington, U.K. Today, the organization has more than half a million runners.

To get involved, sign up online, then turn up in the Mission this Saturday.