Parkrun fans star on TV ahead of milestone

A free weekly event in Erewash that has helped hundreds to get fit celebrates its tenth birthday this month – after being featured on TV.

Local news crews from the BBC and ITV filmed as the Long Eaton Parkrun welcomed a record 754 participants in the run-up to its anniversary on Saturday 14th June.

Those taking part at the end of last month included a dozen fitness fans who have undergone transplants.

Karen Hodgson, 65 – who received a new heart 19 years ago – said: “We want to show how well and active we can be after receiving a life-saving transplant and to also show that despite a history of poor health, it is possible to get fit.

"We are a mix of heart, lung, kidney, pancreas, bone marrow and liver transplantees all with amazing stories to tell.

“We also have Charlotte running with us who is an altruistic kidney donor – and also kidney donors who were able to save their loved-ones’ lives with family donation.”

Parkruns have spread across the UK and around the world after the first was held in London’s Bushy Park in 2004. The Long Eaton one takes place on Saturdays at 9am in the town’s West Park. It is billed as a “free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event where people can walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate”.

Karen told how she and six of her fellow transplantees have been selected to represent Team GB at August’s World Transplant Games in Dresden, Germany.

She said as she urged families to have conversations about organ donation: “I think about my donor and her family whenever I cross a finishing line.”

Borough Councillor Josy Hare, who is Erewash’s Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “It was Karen’s 50th Parkrun – but many of those who joined in on the day were there for the first time. It is a superb way to get healthy while enjoying the fresh air – and we wish the event all the best as it marks its ten-year anniversary.”