Crowland parkrun is set to return in June

Organisers of a local parkrun event are looking forward to their return to action next month.

The free 5km event in Crowland has been postponed during the Covid-19 pandemic, but can finally make its return at Snowden Field from June 26.

A start-back date of June 5 was originally planned, but has been pushed back due to a shortage of landowner permissions obtained across England.

This news comes after national newspaper The Guardian reported that only 161 of 589 adult parkrun events have been given landowner permission to return.

Adam Caress, the Event Director at the Snowden Field parkrun in Crowland, said he and his team are excited to have participants back on the return date.

He said: “We have received lots of positive messages from both runners and volunteers to our event inbox and on our Facebook group page.

“The core volunteer team at Snowden Field parkrun are eager to return and look forward to welcoming everyone to our first event back.”

Volunteers and organisers will be following guidelines set out in the parkrun Covid framework, which has been developed by the parkrun headquarters to support the relaunch of events.

Mr Caress said the local council has been doing its bit to get the event up and running again as well.

“Crowland Parish Council have been very supportive in the bid to restart parkrun on Snowden Field.

“We have worked closely with the parish council to assist communication with parkrun headquarters and to also ensure everything is ready on a local level.

“We are also excited to show off our new 5km course on Snowden Field.”

Organisers have high hopes for the Crowland parkrun in the future.

“I believe our local event has already had a big impact on a lot of people and I am eager to see us continue to do so in the future,” said Mr Caress.

“I also would like the success of our local parkrun to inspire new 5kms and junior parkruns to be organised in the South Holland district area.

“If you are able to volunteer, please do email us at snowdenfield@parkrun.com or join our Facebook group (Snowden Field, Crowland parkrun volunteers).”

Parkruns run free community events across the country, where Saturday mornings focus on free 5km challenges. There are 2km junior parkrun events on Sundays.

Participants are encouraged to walk, jog or run in order to benefit their health and make new friends.

There are currently 729 parkrun locations and 1074 events in England.

Registration is free.