One year of Thurso parkrun
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Thurso parkrun celebrated its first birthday on Saturday with 95 runners running and walking the course in bright but windy conditions.
Afterwards, everyone came together in the rugby clubhouse to celebrate an overwhelmingly successful first year. Lots of cake was eaten, kindly donated by runners, walkers and volunteers.
Event director Donna Stewart gave out small spot prizes, including one to Leslie Mackay, the most regular attendee, who has completed 42 runs over the course of the year, and to Andrew Stockan, the most regular junior, who ran 39 runs.
Elizabeth Hendry, who also attends regularly, captured the mood of many of those present.
“What better way to start a Saturday than with a bit of exercise?” she said.
Saturday’s event had 13 first-timers, with visitors from Livingston, Glasgow and London joining regular runners and a few locals who came to experience the event for the first time.
In its first year, the run has held 50 events with an average attendance of 64 participants. The free 5km run and walk is held every Saturday round the boating pond and riverside.
Mel Hayes, one of the run directors, said: “We really have built an amazing family of volunteers and regular runners and walkers over the year. It's a fantastic event and I really can’t imagine life without it now.”
Ms Stewart added: “The success has blown us away. It has developed into a friendly, supportive community of runners, walkers and volunteers. One of my favourite things is the number of families that come and participate together.”
