Parkrun strides into chipping norton

The town of Chipping Norton has had it’s share of historic events but, Saturday morning was going to go down as a particularly healthy one! The morning started with what looked to be a fine day winter’s day as, the volunteers started to arrive and set up the first Chipping Norton School parkrun. With the course inspected, the first timers briefed and spoken words of inspiration and thanks from Dignitaries. The 150 strong runners could hardly wait to begin. The town of Chipping Norton has had it’s share of historic events but, Saturday morning was going to go down as a particularly healthy one!

The morning started with what looked to be a fine day winter’s day as, the volunteers started to arrive and set up the first Chipping Norton School parkrun. With the course inspected, the first timers briefed and spoken words of inspiration and thanks from Dignitaries. The 150 strong runners could hardly wait to begin.

"Time keepers ready, 3...2...1...GO! "

As the heard of feet got going for the first lap, the wind and rain picked up and started to batter the new gazebo at the finish area. The crowd slowly dispersed as, the 1st lap of the school field was completed. The gazebo was now threatening to join in the run. Thankfully the heroic strength of the barcode scanners and Run Director prevented it!

The runners were trudging down Glyme Lane and around 'Narnia' (the William Fowler Memorial Wood) when sleet started to fall. These conditions although not unfamiliar to the locals, were truly gruelling. Reports of flash flooding on the lane came pouring in to the comedy club (formerly known as the Gazebo). Now a scene of frantic volunteers looking for the finish tokens, which had blown away! Surely this run was going to descend into chaos. Instead, the runners and the volunteer team kept going, kept smiling, kept willing each other on.

Eventually the weather started to retreat and there was some respite for the half frozen volunteers, some of which were now dancing near the finish area. Music and cheering saw the determined 148 finishers across the line, followed by the two tail walkers signalling the end of the first Chipping Norton School parkrun.The total distance covered was 755 kilometres with, the first finisher receiving a time of 19.31

It was almost a year since the initial interest meeting was held at the Chipping Norton Leisure Centre. Since that day, the core team and Dan Wymer (parkrun ambassador & activator) have worked hard to organise, plan and gather financial and in-kind support of local businesses and organisations. We would like to give a special thank you to:

  • The donors who contributed via the Just Giving page
  • Owen Mumford
  • Chipping Norton Physio
  • Wise Investments
  • The ‘Go Active Get Healthy’ project
  • Chipping Norton Town Council
  • Chipping Norton Leisure Centre
  • Chipping Norton School
  • Chipping Norton Health Centre
  • Wychwood Surgery
  • The Green Gym
  • The Chipping Norton Fire Station
  • Gills Hardware Store
  • The William Fowler Allotment Trustees

Without your help, we would not of been able to create this free community event which, will no doubt, have a lasting legacy of health and community.