The story of Uckfield parkrun
parkrun is a global network of free, weekly 5k community running events. They pride themselves in appealing to a diverse range of runners inviting all ages and abilities to attend their events. We’re lucky enough to have our very own parkrun event that takes place every Saturday morning here in Uckfield, maybe this is your sign to give it a go! Setting off from Uckfield Rugby Club the route takes your around the rugby pitch before heading towards the stunning grounds of the Buxted Park. It’s a challenging route, but there’s no pressure to be the fastest – the only expectation is that you go at your own pace and enjoy the ride.
In 2017, Hugh Hennebry (Principal of Uckfield College at the time), initiated the idea of having a parkrun at Uckfield, having gone to parkrun himself and seen what an amazing community it is, felt that Uckfield should have one too. The motivation was, and still is, that it would be something to support the physical and mental well-being of the whole community: the students, parents, staff and wider Uckfield community. Hugh set about finding out what he needed to do for Uckfield to have its own parkrun. He needed to gain support from Buxted Park Hotel, Wealden Council, East Sussex County Council and Uckfield Rugby Club. He also had the challenge of obtaining the initial funding of £3,000 (raised from Uckfield Town Council, Buxted Inn, Uckfield Runners, Anytime Fitness and Mr & Mrs Lewin). He was blown away by the generosity of individuals and organisations. He also approached Uckfield Runners to help and one of them, Graham West, was appointed Event Director and they spent hours trying out different running routes to find a suitable 5K route. Graham has been a driving force ever since.
The next steps were to build a Core Committee. Another key role was Volunteer Coordinator (Elisabeth Dawson, Governor at Uckfield College at the time) who attracts and organises the 25 to 30 volunteers needed for each week’s event and the 6 Run Directors who oversee each week’s run. Elisabeth works tirelessly every week to make it happen. We could not have Uckfield parkrun without the huge number of volunteers (825 different people so far and counting).
The first Uckfield parkrun was held on 4 May 2019. The inaugural event was attended by Uckfield’s Town Crier and the Mayor who ran the event in his suit and mayoral regalia. As it was ‘Star Wars Day’ there was also a Wookie, a stormtrooper and Princess Leia!
To date, over 8,800 different people of all ages and abilities have run, jogged or walked the 5k course through beautiful countryside 25,440 times, which is 127,200km, the equivalent of running around the circumference of the world over 3 times! What is so uplifting is that every finisher has challenged themselves and one can see the positive impact on everyone. It has literally changed some people’s lives. What has maintained its popularity is that it is inclusive and non-threatening, plus the beautiful course through a site of special scientific interest with amazing history (13th century church, 18th century mansion house, WW2 pillbox) and gorgeous views. They also get a lot of tourists, who want to run a parkrun beginning with each letter of the alphabet. These tourists have brought money into the local economy. So many people have said that it was Uckfield parkrun that got them into doing exercise every Saturday morning and people keep saying what a friendly and special community it is.
Uckfield parkrun continues to take place every Saturday morning at 9am. All are very welcome!
