parkrun profile: Newark

The town of Newark in Nottinghamshire has welcomed more than 7,500 parkrunners since launching in June 2013.

Fiona Houghton from Newark parkrun tells us more…

I got involved with the formation of Newark parkrun after being inspired in a professional capacity as a Sports Development Officer. I was completely taken by the concept and knew it would be a great addition to the local community of Newark.

Six years on and it has proven to be just that. It has been a privilege to meet so many friendly people and hear their parkrun stories whilst watching friendships form. It is also a joy to hear positive feedback from tourists visiting Newark. 
 

Newark parkrun is a three-lap course over varied terrain. Starting on tarmac paths, leading onto soft bark and grass. The course itself is fairly flat with the exception of the famous shallow steps in the woodland area.

Please remember to ensure you complete all three laps before returning back along the straight path towards the finish, where our friendly volunteers will encourage you up the incline and through the finish funnel.

We have one or two famous landmarks on the park, one being the Queens Sconce, a large Civil War Earthwork and Civil War trail. Due to its heritage Sconce and Devon park hosts annual Civil War re-enactments, some of the re-enactors even join us for a parkrun!

We are a friendly bunch at Newark and always offer a warm welcome to any visitors – old or new. Please feel free to get in touch with any questions before the event and one of our lovely volunteers will respond in due course.  

Whilst it may not be the fastest course, Newark offers variety in terrain over the three-lap course. Rumbles the onsite cafe is also always open and is situated 50-100m from the start/finish area, next to the car park and children’s play area.

The staff at Rumbles are friendly, and there’s plenty of space outside for parkrunners to socialise and enjoy the surroundings of Sconce and Devon Park.

Since starting over six years ago Newark parkrun has had a hugely positive impact on the local community. We have welcomed families, sometimes four generations, to walk, jog and run their way around the park, and over the years we have seen “non-runners” become “runners”.

Friendships have been formed and sustained beyond the weekly 5km sessions and strong relationships have been made with Newark and Sherwood District Council, The Friends of Sconce and Devon Park, Radio Newark and the Newark Advertiser to name but a few.  

The local running clubs have supported the event from day one and often “takeover the roster” and encourage graduates from their introduction to running programmes to come along and give it a go.

We also welcomed Newark junior parkrun to the parkrun family, inspiring the younger generation to get involved. We have made all this happen with the support of our Core Team and volunteers who make this wonderful event take place every week come rain or shine.