Pinehill Junior parkrun in Hitchin celebrated its 300th event this Sunday (June 2), marking a significant milestone since its inception.

Eighty-one children participated in the first run/jog/walk back in March 2017 and the event has thrived since.

As usual this Sunday, as summer appeared for the first time, children accompanied by a few parents tackled the 2km course at Pinehill Park, striving to beat that often elusive Personal Best. 

Junior parkrun is a timed 2km run for children aged four to 14, is completely free, non-competitive and open to all.

Every Sunday promptly at 9am, 441 identical events take place across the UK.

Inspired by the successful Saturday 5K parkrun, now operating at over 2,300 locations across 22 countries, Junior parkrun aims to foster a love of running in young people.

More than 2100 children have participated at Hitchin alone, many of whom have graduated to the Saturday parkrun and embraced running as a fitness activity.

Melissa Peacock, Run Director at the inaugural event, reminisces about the early technology challenges and her ongoing passion for encouraging children to enjoy exercise.  

The lone participant at event number one and also number 300 was 12-year-old Nate Sealy, who has attended an inspiring 262 times since that first event.

Parkrun and Junior parkrun are so more than just a run in the park; they are vibrant communities where runners of all abilities pursue personal goals.

The success of these events relies on dedicated volunteers, further enhancing that community feel.

To join Pinehill Junior parkrun or other events (including those in Stevenage and Letchworth), register for a personal barcode online here. Arrive at Pinehill Park (behind Pinehill Hospital in Hitchin) by 8:45am for a pre-run briefing and warm-up before the fun begins.