Örebro parkrun – reflections over our 1st year

08.04.2017 – Event #1 Örebro parkrun

For many years I’d dreamt about bring parkrun to Örebro so when I saw on Facebook that it was coming to Sweden I didn’t hesitate to contact Deri Thomas in Stockholm and the rest, as they say, is history! Deri is as passionate as me about spreading the parkrun message, having both experienced its incredible powers when we lived in England.

My home parkrun was south Manchester and I was always amazed at the mix of people that turned up every week. Young, old, students, pensioners, families and faster club runners. parkrun in that aspect alone is totally unique!

For a whole variety of complex reasons the vast majority of society has become inactive. Research has shown that the most effective way of reversing this trend and getting people moving is within a warm, encouraging environment with no pressure to perform but simply “partake” in some form of physical activity.

This is parkrun in a nutshell and one of the main reasons it’s grown to be a worldwide phenomenon; operating in 19 countries, over 1,300 events, more than 4 million registered members and in excess of 320,000 volunteers worldwide.

In Sweden we now have 5 events, 3 in Stockholm, Skatås in Göteborg and us in Örebro with Malmö due to start in April 2018. The more events in Sweden that open the better as far as I’m concerned so we can reach as wide as possible audience and encourage thousands of people to get and stay active on a regular basis.

97 people at our very 1st event

Örebro parkrun has, for me personally, surpassed all expectations! On the very first event back in April 97 people turned up and took part. We had no idea if even a handful of people would show, but instead we had created enough curiosity to get us off the ground in a great way. parkrunners (as we now call them) of all backgrounds, abilities, ages and gender. Families, friends, neighbours, colleagues and individuals curious as to this strange event on their doorstep! Free! Every Saturday! Everyone welcome! Too good to be true you might think, but instead it’s real and we’d love nothing more than welcoming 100’s of parkrunners every Saturday.

We’ve fortunately only had to cancel 2 events and the 1st time was on the 15th April when it snowed and froze, making conditions too slippery to hold the event. Since then we’ve been there every Saturday, throughout the spring, summer, autumn and now into our 1st winter in Örebro. Örebro parkrun has an average attendance of 51 parkrunners per event which, in our 1st year, is fantastic.

Just some of our amazing volunteers

Our amazing volunteers help make the event happen every week for free. We have had approximately 40 different volunteers helping out at parkrun during 2017 which shows a willingness to embrace the concept of give and take. We like to say at parkrun that it’s as much fun being a volunteer as it is walking or running and if you don’t believe me then just try it for yourselves; I guarantee it’s so rewarding.

Some stats from 2017

We have held 36 events with an average of 51 parkrunners per event, which is fantastic considering that we are still growing and attracting new people. 553 different people have taken part at least once at Örebro parkrun with our record turnout at 97; that was the very first event and we got close to beating that at the Xmas parkrun with 90!

Well done everyone on a fantastic 2017 and here’s to an even better 2018. Happy new parkrun year 2018!