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Mar 2024
Fountains Abbey parkrun celebrates 10th anniversary
The Fountains Abbey parkrun — regarded as one of the most scenic in the UK — celebrates its 10th anniversary tomorrow.
The free community 5k run, like all parkruns, is held every Saturday at 9am and is open to everyone. Participants run or walk around the National Trust-run UNESCO world heritage site near Ripon.
It is one of three parkruns in the Harrogate district — events are also held on the Stray in Harrogate and at Conyngham Hall in Knaresborough. But many regard the Fabbey, as it is known, as the most spectacular because of the scenery, which includes the ruined abbey and Studley Royal.
Adam Prentis, Ian Swinscoe and Emma Appleton created the event. The first gathering attracted 375 participants but the average number in year one was 180.
Not a bad way to start your weekend.
Kathy Gargan, the co-event director who briefs participants just before the start, said:
Ms Gargan added it was "the busiest parkrun on any National Trust property".
Ripon Runners are providing volunteers to pace entrants who aim for a time for every minute from 20 to 35 minutes. In total, 61 volunteers will help out.
A huge cake will be consumed afterwards at the Fountains Abbey cafe, which is the traditional post-race refuelling stop.
Like all parkruns, it is free to enter but you need to register first here.
Fountains Abbey parkrun facts
- 26,011 different people have taken part running or walking — some people more than 200 times. Chris Brown holds the record for most entries.
- 1,367 different people have volunteered.
- Cumulatively 140,628 people have recorded 5k runs/walks over the 10 years.
- The highest number ever was 636 on Easter Saturday 2019.
- The record time has been expunged to reinforce the ethos that the event is primarily about participation.
Ripon Runners brings back 10-mile race
Ripon Runners, whose members often help out at the Fountains Abbey parkrun, is staging a 10-mile race on May 12.
The event attracted about 300 runners annually pre-covid but numbers have struggled to recover since then and it was cancelled last year due to low entries.
Club member Anneke Imeson said:
The multi-terrain run, supported by the National Trust, starts and finishes at Hell Wath Nature Reserve and takes in a stunning route through Studley Royal Deer Park.
Further details are available here.
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