Text and pictures contributed by Christina
The first ever Parkrun was held in Bushy Park, Teddington, UK, when 13 runners got together on a blustery day on 2nd October 2004. There is now an international family of over nine million parkrunners. Within the IOG, there is a group of running enthusiasts who meet most Saturdays to take part in one of the Parkruns in Ipswich, Felixstowe or sometimes further afield. For more information on Parkrun, visit https://www.parkrun.org.uk/
On a chilly 13th January 2024, it was still only 2 °C and before 9 am when 6 of us met at the Felixstowe leisure centre to join the 375 runners who successfully completed the 5 k route that day. It certainly was a diverse crowd, with people of all ages and ways of life: mums and dads pushing a pram in front of them, some people running with their dogs held on a short lead, and also some members wearing the shirt of their running club. I very much like the cheerful and relaxed atmosphere at these running events. I had some good conversations with people who did the run and with some volunteers who braved the chill that morning. The Board Walk Café on the Pier offered a welcome coffee and breakfast after the run.
