Bienvenue à Parkrun
The biggest news to hit the Parkrun social media sites this month, has been the announcement that Parkrun has finally made it to France. Whats the big deal I hear you say? Well for expats like myself , it’s a huge deal. Week after week I’ve watched the activity on my Twitter timeline green with envy. Some people not only run Parkrun, every Saturday but they are also blessed to have more than one in their local area,, thus giving them a choice! Me, I would settle for a Parkrun full stop! On trips back to England I always schedule in a Parkrun at Eastbourne , even running Christmas Day and New Year’s Day because I know I won’t have another chance in the next six months.
As with many things here , it seemed France stood still as the rest of the world embraced Parkrun . We still close our shops on Sunday , which gives you an idea of how far behind the rest of Europe we are.
The first, and only Parkrun in France is at Les Dougnes, just north of Bordeaux and an eight hour round trip for me. It would be easier for me to fly to Southampton and run ,than to drive to Bordeaux. How frustrating! However the 5km distance means that this is the only run I can enter without needing the obligatory medical certificate.
Yes, I kid you not. Any race distance greater thani 5km requires a medical certificate with your entry. Yet again frustration! If you are older than 35 , like myself you also need to have an annual ECG. I sometimes think registering for a race, and collecting your race number is actually harder than the run itself.
On reflection though , the medical controls put in place are purely to protect the interests of the runners. You only have to look at the increase in the UK of the amount of charity and fancy dress runners in some of our prestigious race events. This category is usually made up of recreational runners,.maybe we should be showing a duty of care to these runners by exercising similar controls.
So a word to the wise, if you are holidaying in France this year, don’t bank on finding a Parkrun. Furthermore if you are thinking of entering the Paris Marathon , or any distance above 5km, be prepared to produce a medical certificate., which some GP’s are asking as much as £50 for the pleasure.
A bientôt @lazydazz
As with many things here , it seemed France stood still as the rest of the world embraced Parkrun . We still close our shops on Sunday , which gives you an idea of how far behind the rest of Europe we are.
The first, and only Parkrun in France is at Les Dougnes, just north of Bordeaux and an eight hour round trip for me. It would be easier for me to fly to Southampton and run ,than to drive to Bordeaux. How frustrating! However the 5km distance means that this is the only run I can enter without needing the obligatory medical certificate.
Yes, I kid you not. Any race distance greater thani 5km requires a medical certificate with your entry. Yet again frustration! If you are older than 35 , like myself you also need to have an annual ECG. I sometimes think registering for a race, and collecting your race number is actually harder than the run itself.
On reflection though , the medical controls put in place are purely to protect the interests of the runners. You only have to look at the increase in the UK of the amount of charity and fancy dress runners in some of our prestigious race events. This category is usually made up of recreational runners,.maybe we should be showing a duty of care to these runners by exercising similar controls.
So a word to the wise, if you are holidaying in France this year, don’t bank on finding a Parkrun. Furthermore if you are thinking of entering the Paris Marathon , or any distance above 5km, be prepared to produce a medical certificate., which some GP’s are asking as much as £50 for the pleasure.
A bientôt @lazydazz
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