Bridgwater hosted its inaugural Parkrun on Saturday morning, welcoming over 100 participants to St Matthew’s Field and the Meads for a fantastic community event. Despite heavy rain in the early hours, St Matthew’s Field and The Meads provided a beautiful open setting for runners and walkers of all abilities.
Parkrun is a national movement that offers a free, safe and inclusive space for people to improve their physical and mental wellbeing. The launch in Bridgwater marks an exciting milestone for the town, creating a weekly opportunity for residents to come together, stay active and enjoy the outdoors.
The event was officially opened by the Mayor of Bridgwater, Cllr Kathy Pearce who said,
“It’s wonderful to see so many people here today, embracing this fantastic initiative. Parkrun is about community, health and enjoyment and I’m proud that Bridgwater is now part of this national movement. A huge thank you to everyone who made this possible.”
Cllr Tim Mander, Chair of Bridgwater Town Council Amenities Committee added,
“We’re thrilled to see St Matthew’s Field being used for such a positive and inclusive activity. Parkrun is a great example of how our green spaces can bring people together and promote wellbeing. We look forward to supporting its continued success.
“This event is a win for perseverance, having taken six years of hard work and dedication from volunteers, council officers and members to finally deliver this brilliant event for Bridgwater”
A huge thank you goes to the Parkrun Committee whose persistence made this event possible as well as the Friends of the Meads for supporting the idea.
Special thanks also to Bridgwater Cricket Club for providing toilet facilities, secure bag storage and for running their café after the event, giving participants a chance to relax and socialise.
St Matthew’s Field Parkrun will now take place every Saturday at 9.00am. The event is completely free and no specialist equipment is needed, just a comfortable pair of trainers, but participants should register before attending.
Whether you’re an experienced runner or a complete novice, Parkrun is a brilliant way to start the weekend.
Parkrun relies on volunteers to keep things running smoothly. If you’d like to help out, whether by marshalling, timing, or cheering people on please visit https://www.parkrun.org.uk/stmatthewsfield/ for more details.
