‘Start with… parkrun’ launches in partnership with Vhi to help people build healthy habits into the New Year and beyond.
January 11th, 2022: Broadcaster Lottie Ryan and former Olympian and sports commentator David Gillick today launched Start with… parkrun campaign, in partnership with Vhi, at St. Anne’s Park, Dublin. The campaign is aimed at anyone thinking about taking their first steps to being more active and explains how they can include parkrun community events into their weekend routine.
parkrun in partnership with Vhi is the biggest community-led physical activity movement in Ireland and participation does not have to involve running the 5km in full. Start with …parkrun has been created to encourage people of all fitness levels to come along as walkers, joggers, runners, and volunteers or to support a family member or friend taking part.
parkrun, in partnership with Vhi, takes place each Saturday in more than 100 locations across the country and are free to take part in. In Ireland, more than 8,000 people take part in these events every weekend, as walkers, joggers, runners and volunteers. These events are open to everyone no matter their fitness level and this year Park Walk has been launched as part of the weekly events. Participants only need to register once on the parkrun website, bring their personal barcode which records their activity, and then turn up at any event.
To add extra support for this campaign Vhi parkrun Rewards are also giving double points throughout the month of January. Vhi customers who take part in any parkrun, including volunteering, can claim a bonus parkrun reward on the Vhi app after each parkrun in January.
To register for a parkrun near you visit www.parkrun.ie.
Brighid Smyth, Head of Corporate Communications in Vhi said, “ Its great to see parkrun back in action after a long break. At Vhi we are committed to helping our customers and communities live longer, stronger, healthier lives and our partnership with parkrun helps us deliver this. There is no other movement like parkrun in Ireland and Vhi is very proud to be presenting partner, supporting this wonderful initiative encouraging people of all levels and abilities to take part in free events in a fun and positive environment”.
Matt Shields, parkrun Ireland Country Manager said: “parkrun and physical activity have never been more important. Whether it’s your first ever time at parkrun, whether you’re volunteering, whether you’ve walked to the park to spectate, it’s all participation to us and that’s what the Start With campaign is celebrating. No matter how you’re starting, parkrun provides a regular opportunity for everyone to take a positive step in their life.”
Lottie Ryan commented “I am delighted to be involved in Start with parkrun in partnership with Vhi. Over the past two years it’s been tricky to keep up any sort of routine between lockdowns, work and becoming a Mom. The New Year is always a good time to start afresh, and parkrun is a great opportunity to get up and out of the house on a Saturday morning and do something healthy for myself. I’m so excited to join the parkrun community as part of my New Year routine”.
Vhi ambassador David Gillick said, “It can be hard to get back into a routine after the Christmas break and parkrun is a great way to get back to physical activity with a supportive community by your side every step of the way. What’s so great about parkrun is that it is so inclusive with Junior parkrun events happening each weekend and the newly launched Park Walk , which means people of all fitness abilities and ages can get involved”.
ENDS
Vhi_Press
10-Jan-2022