YEAR OF ACTIVE TRAVEL: SOUTH YORKSHIRE’S MAYOR FUNDS NEW JUNIOR PARKRUN

Published 19 March 2024 at 3:00pm

The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority will fund a new junior park run for South Yorkshire
•    It’s the eighth junior park run in the region, and will start in Millhouses Park, Sheffield, later this year 
•    The funding is part of Mayor Coppard’s Year of Active Travel, and Challenge at parkrun
 
South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard is funding a new junior park run for children in South Yorkshire.

Launching in Millhouses Park, Sheffield, the new event for children aged 4-14 will be the eighth junior parkrun in South Yorkshire. 

The Mayor made the announcement today [Saturday 16 March] at Millhouses Park parkrun, which he ran alongside Active Travel Commissioner Ed Clancy.

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard said: “We need to build a healthier, wealthier and happier South Yorkshire. If we’re going to get there, we need to give everyone the freedom and choice to move differently and move better.

"But right now one in four people here are physically inactive. That’s why I’ve launched my Year of Active Travel – to help showcase the best of active travel, moving more and moving differently across Barnsley, Rotherham, Doncaster and Sheffield.

“There are some brilliant examples of people creating those opportunities for physical activity in South Yorkshire right now, particularly helping young people get more active.

“junior parkrun is right at the top of that list, helping young people develop healthy habits from the start of their life. 

“That’s why I’m so happy to support a new junior parkrun at Millhouses Park – giving people the chance to take part in regular, fun activity right in their own community.”

Mayor Coppard has committed to supporting parkrun in South Yorkshire as a key element of the 'Year of Active Travel', promoting health, wellbeing and community.  

The Mayor’s Challenge at Parkrun encourages residents to get involved by walking, jogging, running or volunteering at any six parkrun events in South Yorkshire, aiming to strengthen community bonds and enhance overall health and well-being.

Junior parkrun is a free and fun 2k event that takes place every Sunday morning, organised by local community volunteers for children aged 4-14. 

For more information about junior parkrun and to find local event details visit parkrun.org.uk/events/juniorevents

Find out more about the Mayor’s Year of Active Travel at southyorkshire-ca.gov.uk/yearofactivetravel

NOTES TO EDITORS
 
For more information contact the press team at press.enquiries@southyorkshire-ca.gov.uk
Image credits : Parkrun