A Wigan running club built on inclusivity and community is preparing to take centre stage at one of the town’s most popular weekly events.
Robin Park Runners was founded in 2019 by Mark Harrison as an alternative to traditional running clubs, creating a safe, welcoming space where people could socialise while improving both their physical health and mental wellbeing.
Since then, it’s grown into a thriving community of more than 100 members, bringing together runners of all abilities. From complete beginners to marathon and ultra marathon runners, the club prides itself on being a place where everyone fits in.
The group meets three times a week at Trencherfield Mill car park, with sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6.30pm and Sundays at 9am. It’s as much about friendship as it is about fitness, with many members describing it as a real running family.
Now, the club is preparing for a big moment in its calendar. On Saturday 9 May, Robin Park Runners will be hosting a full takeover of the Haigh Hall Parkrun.
On the day, members will take on all of the volunteer roles needed to run the event, including marshalling, timekeeping, barcode scanning, tail walking and welcoming first timers. The club has hosted the event before, earning glowing feedback from organisers and participants, and they’re hoping to repeat that success.
Run leader Wendy Green said the takeover is a great way to give something back to the local running community, while also showcasing what the club is all about.
That sense of giving back runs through everything they do. In recent years, members have supported events like the Run Wigan Festival and raised money for charities including Joining Jack, The Brick, Wigan and Leigh Hospice and Cancer Research UK.
They’ve also made a habit of supporting the local community in other ways, from volunteering at events to donating Easter eggs and selection boxes for children through local charities.
The club continues to invest in its members too, with qualified UK Athletics coaches and run leaders helping others progress. Their Beginners to Winners programme has helped many non-runners build up to 5k events and beyond.
For anyone thinking of getting involved, the message is simple. No matter your pace, experience or background, you’ll be welcomed.
The Haigh Hall Parkrun takeover on 9 May is open to everyone, whether you’re running, jogging, walking or just going along to support.
For more info, click on their facebook page here.
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