Celebrations as children take part in the 200th Melton Mowbray Junior Parkrun
Families converged on Melton’s Play Close Park again this morning (Sunday) to take part in the 200th junior parkrun held there.
In an age where children spend way too much time on digital devices it was a delight to see so many youngsters rock up early on a cold November morning and run their hearts out.
Parents and grandparents cheered from the sidelines and some took part with their kids as the field completed two laps of the park – 2km - before finishing to hearty cheers near the Bandstand.
Many of the children ran in Halloween fancy dress, including skeletons and pumpkins, and they were all greeted at the end by two spooky robotic figures which moved when you got near them.
Dozens of volunteers help out with marshalling and other support at the Melton Junior Parkrun every Sunday to ensure the event goes ahead.
Martin Taylor-Beeby told the Melton Times: “Our first one at Play Close Park was August 28, 2022 and we are very proud to have held 200.
"The kids are always excited to take part every week, they make friends here and they meet up with school friends as well.
"It’s great to see them enjoying themselves and getting exercise in the fresh air away from their computers and devices.”
Youngsters aged from four to 14 can take part, although younger children can run with their parents and older ones who have special educational needs are also able to.
There are on average around 60 children running each Sunday, with about 70 taking part for the last three weeks – organisers are hoping to attract a field of 100 at some point.
The ranks are often swelled by children visiting local relatives and this weekend there was a boy from New Zealand involved.
Martin said: “We are indebted to our volunteers – the people helping today have volunteered a total of 2,246 times between them which is amazing.
"Ideally we need 20 volunteers every week and they always turn up.”
Martin takes a warm-up before the run and announces the name of children who have clocked up a milestone number of parkruns.
“It’s not about winning, it’s about taking part and having fun,” he added.