THE parkrun organisation is set to change over the next few months after maintaining a non-commercial stance since it was set up 10 years ago. On-line retailer Wiggle has come on board to operate a new parkrun online store, providing a range of parkrunbranded items.
There are 19 parkruns across Northern Ireland every Saturday and more than 500 throughout 10 countries every week.
Parkrun has until now been a non-profit making enterprise with free entry free to all its events which are run by unpaid volunteers. However, it is recognised that it cannot continue to grow without significant income.
In the past, parkrun has engaged with various companies to ensure it has had sufficient resources to keep afloat without having a headline sponsor. However, it has now been decided that parkrun must follow a new path to secure the financial resources it needs for the long-term future.
The organisation stresses that every penny earned in its shop will go back into supporting the events throughout the world.
THE WEEKEND
AHEAD
Tomorrow
Parkrun 5K, various venues, 9am, 9.30am Bangor 10K, Castle Park, Bangor, 11am
Sunday
Paddy Friel Curran Memorial 10K, The Foyle Marina, Derry, 10am