206 people laced up their trainers to take part in the inaugural Holywell Parkrun event on 24 January, supported by 32 volunteers, marking the launch of a new free, fun and friendly, weekly 5k event.
The event - which was supported by some funding from the council - takes place every Saturday at 9am at Holywell King George V Playing Fields, Chaffinch Lane, Watford, WD18 9QD, and is a free event open to anyone, whether you want to volunteer, walk, jog or run.
Holywell parkrun is entirely organised and delivered by volunteers, helping to bring people together through physical activity and community spirit. Anyone interested in volunteering can get in touch with the event team by emailing holywellkinggeorgevplayingfields@parkrun.com. There is a variety of roles you can do when you sign up to volunteer, and you will find you enjoy it so much and that you learn so many new skills.
The launch builds on the long-standing success of Cassiobury parkrun, offering another opportunity for residents to get involved in parkrun locally and making Watford one of the few towns to host multiple weekly events. Parkrun events take place across the UK every weekend, with 896 locations and an incredible 344,474 events delivered to date, all powered by volunteers and supported by local communities. To find an event locally to you, please visit parkrun.org.uk/events.
Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said: “It’s fantastic that Holywell parkrun has launched. Having a second parkrun in Watford is great news, giving more people the chance to get active and come together as a community. Cassiobury parkrun recently marked its 10th anniversary, with over 20,000 taking part and over 1,000 volunteering over the years. We hope to see the same community spirit and success grow in Holywell as this new parkrun takes off.”
Louise Smith, Regional Ambassador for parkrun, said: “It was fantastic to see so many people at the very first Holywell parkrun. One of the best parts of parkrun is what happens after the finish line, every week we grab a post-parkrun coffee at the Watford Cycle Hub and Café. It’s a chance to chat, make friends and really feel part of the community.
“Parkrun isn’t just about running, it’s about improving physical and mental wellbeing, tackling loneliness, and creating welcoming spaces for everyone. Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do, and we’d love more people to get involved.”
To find out more, please visit parkrun.org.uk/holywellkinggeorgevplayingfields or the Facebook page at facebook.com/holywellkinggeorgeVplayingfieldsparkrun
