Llangollen's new park run gets glowing review from national body

 

* Run Wales's Joie Rhisiart, left, with members of the Llangollen Park Run team.

Llangollen’s new weekly Park Run has had a glowing review from a representative of national community running organisation Run Wales.

Josie Rhisiart  tagged along with a large group who took part in the fifth Saturday morning run recently.

Her visit was part of the Celebration Relay which provides all Run Wales-registered groups with the opportunity to showcase themselves, share information about their activities and encourage more people to take part in social running outside of their regular weekly park run.

In an article in the Run Wales online newsletter she wrote: “The car park in town was buzzing with park runners excitedly chatting about the event, queuing for the public loos and asking if anyone knew where the start was – it was clear that it was going to be another busy morning with visitors!

“A t 9am we shuffled along the old railway trail, with the River Dee on our right and off we went on the 5th park run event in Llangollen, which is a very pretty (and flat) out and back with one section which is repeated again towards the end of the 5k. 

“The scenery at Old Railway Trail Llangollen parkrun is a lovely mix of woodland and open spaces with far-reaching views – if you take notice, you’ll see Castell Dinas Brân high on the hill too.

“This week, the volunteer team welcomed 6 people to park run for their very first park run experience, and 9 who had been once before and come back for a second time today. Welcome to the park run family.

“Today’s most experienced park runner was James Barber of Shropshire Shufflers, who, as a member of the esteemed ‘500 Club’, chalked up his 534th park run this morning in Llangollen. An additional 19 of today’s park runners were members of the 250 Club, so there was experience galore here today.”

She went on: “Llangollen’s Old Railway Trail park run promises to be a popular destination for park run enthusiasts from near and far. Its accessibility and captivating scenery are sure to attract visitors throughout the year.  

“Old Railway Trail Llangollen, park run started on 17th June 2023. Since then 765 participants have completed 888 parkruns covering a total distance of 4,440 km, including 60 new Personal Bests. A total of 65 individuals have volunteered 96 times.”