Breakfast in bed? No, we’d rather go for a run (From Worcester News)

Breakfast in bed? No, we’d rather go for a run

2:30pm Saturday 13th October 2012 in News

AN INCREASING number of people are shunning the traditional Saturday morning lie-in to don their sports gear and running 5km.

Richard Ralphs, Worcester Parkrun event director, said people were turning their backs on breakfast in bed to take part in the run at Worcester Woods from 9am.

The event has grown from 23 runners taking part during the first event in June 2011 to more than 130 people finishing the race on Saturday.

And it is not just the seasoned runner taking part but families, juniors and beginners of all ages.

Mr Ralphs, of Barbourne said: “There is such a great atmosphere with so many like-minded people who want to get out of bed and get the day started. There is no pressure, it is not a race and not about coming first, it is just you against your own times.”

Having taken part in an event called the Cardiff Parkrun, Mr Ralphs decided to set up a group in Worcester along with three volunteer race directors.

Runners register once on the Worcester Parkrun website to receive a barcode which is used at the events to help record accurate timings.

They receive text messages or an e-mail letting them know the time they finished while the website tracks their running history. Michelle Thompson, of Worcester, joined in the second week and despite avoiding PE at school, has joined Black Pears Running Club and takes part in 10km races.

She said: “I’ve become addicted. I hadn’t run before except for a Race For Life.”

The 39-year-old, who will take part in her 50th parkrun todat, said she was a morning person and most people did not miss their lie-in.

“We help each other along and at first you might be running then walking but soon you find you can run all the way,” she said.

Mr Ralphs said: “It doesn’t matter if people are walking and running when they start out and there is no pressure to complete the 5km. We just really want to encourage people to give it a go.” Worcester Parkrun meets on Saturday from 9am at Worcester Woods. To register or for more information, visit parkrun.org.uk/worcester.