The parkrun event director counting down the days until community 5k runs are due to return after long stoppage

Fareham parkrun event director Andrew Smith is quite literally counting down the days to the potential restart date of the hugely popular community 5k run.
Scenes like these could be seen at Fareham parkrun from June. Picture Ian Hargreaves (150220-7)Scenes like these could be seen at Fareham parkrun from June. Picture Ian Hargreaves (150220-7)
Scenes like these could be seen at Fareham parkrun from June. Picture Ian Hargreaves (150220-7)

The Fareham resident is one of a number of keen runners across the country sure to have been lifted by the news from the UK branch of the organisation of a planned June 5 recommencement in England.

For those who don't know, Smith informed parkrunners that's '99 sleeps' until an agonising wait after all events nationwide were stopped last March because of the coronavirus pandemic can be ended.

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The community 5k runs have increased in popularity nationally and across the area in recent years with courses locally in Havant, Lee-on-the-Solent, Whiteley, Portsmouth Lakeside, Southsea and Fareham.

Smith remains optimistic numbers will not drop off when events return - rather more runners might be keen to be a part of parkruns when they do finally restart.

The Fareham event director said: 'I think we’re just saying it’s 99 sleeps until the day - not that we’re counting.

'We’ve obviously got a lot of prep to do prior to that.

'We’re very excited about it when everyone emerges from their isolation and whatever.

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‘I think a lot of people will be looking at the lockdown pounds that they’ve put on and thinking, ‘ohhh,’ and others that haven’t ran for a while will be thinking, ‘that’s probably enough time for me now to get out, a few couch to 5ks, before the big day starts.

‘There’s plenty of time, people can plan, they can come back slowly and not go completely crazy and the reassurances from the government and various running associations will improve as we get closer to that deadline.’

The Fareham parkrun event director will contact the numerous volunteers who used to turn out weekly at the course to see if they are comfortable with returning.

Smith admitted making sure parkruns are safe for everyone is paramount in making sure it returns.

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He said: ‘I think our biggest issue is not with the runners, it’s actually with the volunteers, although a lot of those are eldery and they will be into their second jab by then there could still be some concern.

‘Without the volunteers we can’t run the event so we’ll be contacting our volunteers to see with each of them what their individual circumstances are and how willing they are to come back.

‘That’s going to be our task for the next six to eight weeks but by and large we’re all very excited.’

Junior events for children aged between 4-10 are due to begin again from April 11.

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