Sharpham Estate Parkrun Celebrate 1 Year

A Totnes Town Council Community Grant of £1,000 helped to provide some of the essential starter funding the local group needed to set the events up. In one year, the Parkrun has proved to be a real success story, welcoming over 100 participants and volunteers of all ages and abilities every week and playing a positive role in boosting local residents’ fitness, wellbeing, and sense of community.

The Parkrun, which starts at the top of Sharpham Drive, is co-ordinated by a team of local volunteers. However, funding was needed to cover essential start-up items, ranging from technical equipment to record running times to high-vis jackets for the volunteers. Race Director Sara Mills said: “The grant from the Town Council helped us enormously. We needed to raise £4000 for start-up costs and equipment and the grant helped us towards that goal. It was much appreciated.”

Totnes Mayor, Cllr Emily Price, said: “What Sara and her team of dedicated volunteers have achieved by setting up a Parkrun in Totnes is absolutely fantastic. There’s a really supportive atmosphere at these events with people smiling despite the fact they’re running or walking up a hill! I’m proud that Totnes Town Council can support our local community to get initiatives like this up and running and I congratulate everyone involved.”

Participants each week include local residents as well as people who come specifically to Totnes to take part in the run – including from as far afield as Australia and the USA. These ‘Parkrun Tourists’ provide another added benefit to Totnes – a welcome extra boost to the town’s economy as they enjoy exploring the cafes and shops after taking part.