Following a successful trial run started by the Mayor on Saturday, July 27th, the inaugural Ross-on-Wye parkrun was held on August 3rd and considering the organisers had held off too much publicity an amazing 301 people attended, enjoying dry and fairly cool conditions. Runners came from many neighbouring parkruns Hereford, Newent, Gloucester, Worcester, Chepstow and Forest of Dean, as well as further afield such as Undi, Ledbury, Pontyclun, Abingdon, Redditch, to try the beautiful riverside course, which loops around the fields by the sports centre at Wilton. Many people enjoyed refreshments offered at the Ross on Wye Sports Centre and then stayed on to enjoy the Ross carnival

Nigel Lane, and his daughter, Cat, attended their first parkrun together in 2015 and were so impressed with the concept and how well the event was run that they decided there and then, to set one up in Ross. With a strong supporting team behind them this dream has at long last been reached.

parkrun is a free, timed 5k run or walk, happening every Saturday morning both nationally and across the globe. People of all levels of fitness are welcome, and it’s OK to walk. Volunteer marshals support people along the route, and a tailwalker follows at the end so no one comes last. It is free to take part, but you need to register first at parkrun.org.uk.?

Ross-on-Wye is the first parkrun in the UK where all the local GP practices have already signed up to the RCGP parkrun initiative. Dr Simon Lennane, Ross GP and Clinical Director for South Herefordshire Primary Care Network, explained "parkrun is an excellent way to be active in a supportive environment, letting us enjoy the great benefits to both physical and mental health. Diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease are significant problems in the UK, but encouraging our patients to exercise gives us other options, and in some cases means we can avoid medication. We welcome volunteers to help run the event, and there is a strong, friendly community ethos. There are great benefits to tourism as well, as many people now choose places to visit around parkrun. We are lucky in Ross to have another way to share the beautiful place in which we live, while also supporting our local economy."?

The Ross parkrun core team, comprising of Jo White, Cath Bennett, Lynn Latham, Simon Lennane and Nigel and Cat Lane are very grateful to their sponsors, and all those who have given their time and effort to bring parkrun to Ross. These people deserve a mention here as without them, this project would not have got off the ground:-

Ross-on-Wye Town Council, Ross Lions, Ross Rotary Club, Pendeen and Alton Street Surgeries, Jesse Norman MP, Wesleyan, The Kings Head Hotel, John Bennett, Phil Cutter, Cath Bennett, Catherine Lamport, Dr Alix Ritson, Forest of Dean Athletics Club and other private donors. In addition a big thank you to The Ross on Wye Sports Centre Committee, who have welcomed parkrun, and allow us to use their facilities every week.?parkrun is every Saturday at 9am, at the Ross on Wye Sports Centre. Meet at 08.50 for a briefing beforehand. There is cheap parking nearby at the Wilton Road car park (by the skate park). For more details, see parkrun.org.uk/rossonwye