It’s doctors’ orders at King's Lynn 5k parkrun
With scrubs and stethoscopes at the ready, Lynn’s parkrun runners were out in force on Saturday to celebrate 70 years of the NHS.
Runners donned bandages and medical uniforms when taking part in the 5k run around The Walks, marking a special anniversary for the national healthcare system.
Director of King’s Lynn parkrun, Gary Walker said: “King’s Lynn parkrun celebrated 70 years of the NHS on Saturday with a special anniversary run, where all the volunteer positions, which are required to enable the run to take place, being covered by staff from Lynn’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
“In addition, many runners turned up in fancy dress and supplied cakes for the post run party.”
The run, which was a part of a national campaign by parkrun, is seen as a “major contribution to individuals health and wellbeing”.
“The local event was organised jointly by the local parkrun event director and Sarah Byatt, a member of staff at the QEH here in King’s Lynn,” said Mr Walker.
“She took on arranging all of the volunteers, her efforts seeing over 20 attend, in addition to a large number of runners from the hospital.
“Each of the volunteers was also provided with an NHS T-shirt to commemorate the event and the trust’s HR director, who is also a keen runner, started things off by addressing the assembled runners.
“They also thanked them for all the support which the QEH receives from the public and patients alike while also thanking the staff for all their professionalism, care and dedication that they apply to their daily duties.”
Organisers are welcoming new parkrun members to join their weekly 5k run around The Walks on Saturdays, from 9am.
He added: “It is a run and not a race so individuals are only competing against themselves and as all who take part get a time, they can measure their improvement week by week. There is also a junior parkrun which takes place on Sundays at 9am.”
