Members of the Mad Hatter Running Club can be seen testing a portion of the route for the park run in Strathcona Island Park Friday morning (photo by Colton McKee)

By Charles Lefebvre

Parkrun

Parkrun coming to Medicine Hat on Saturdays

Aug 2, 2019 | 6:16 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB —A local running club is bringing a worldwide running tradition to Medicine Hat this Saturday.

The Mad Hatter’s Running Club has been working with the City of Medicine Hat for the past several months, and will be hosting the first ever Parkrun in Medicine Hat on Saturday in Strathcona Island Park.

“The idea is to bring people together in the park to enjoy the fresh air and the lovely scenery we’ve certainly got here in Medicine Hat’s Strathcona Island Park,” said David Alexander, a member of the club that has helped get the event off the ground.

Parkruns were created by Paul Sinton-Hewitt in the United Kingdom in 2004. Sinton-Hewitt, primarily a long distance runner, created the Parkrun while recovering from an injury while training for a marathon.

WHAT'S ON

Here is what's on this weekend in Medicine Hat and area: Dec. 13-15

19h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Mustard Seed adding new shelter spaces at Alberta government's request

Dec 12, 2024

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner, applications due Friday

Dec 12, 2024

He began holding a five kilometre run in Bushy Park near him home, which attracted runners of all experience levels. Today, Parkruns are held every Saturday at 9 a.m. in parks around the world, including six in Alberta.

“This was something that we looked at our club, and realized when we have people who are perhaps injured and they’re not able to do the long runs, it gave them an opportunity to volunteer and give something back to the community,” said Alexander.

Those interested in participating are asked to register for free online here https://www.parkrun.ca/strathconaisland/ . Alexander says participants should meet at the parking lot for the playground at 8:30 a.m. to stretch, with the run itself beginning at 9 a.m.

The plan is to hold the run every Saturday morning at 9 a.m.

Alexander says the run is an opportunity to meet like-minded people and showcase the trail system in the city.

“I’m a newcomer to Medicine Hat,” he said. “I’ve been here three years now, and it was by hooking up with the running club and getting out and meeting with the community allowed me to fully understand that we’ve got approximately 115 kilometres of running trail. It’s fantastic. it’s something Medicine Hat and all of the community can be really proud of.”

Parking access limited

As a result of the Parkrun, park access will be limited from 8 a.m. to approximately noon on Saturday to prevent the safety of all runners. The city says there will be limited and controlled access to the east end parking lots, spray park, Lovell McDonnell Field and Heritage Pavilion.

Trail runners not participating in the event are being asked to slow down, use caution and yield to all runners in Strathcona Island Park during the event.

The city says the Parkrun will not occur when other community runs or walks are taking place or when the weather and trail condition are unfavourable.