At SPEAR (where I work), we promote both physical and mental wellbeing on a daily basis and these are a main stay in our treatment choices. Furthermore, we have many links with the local community where we are seeing likeminded people starting couch-to-5km (C25K) programmes but also those achieving many different time based and distance based goals.
We also understand the importance of community and support in helping you achieve your goals. In Aberdeen we are very lucky to have lots of different running groups that are there to support you on your running journey whatever your running experience.
On a personal level, I have watched two members of my family complete the C25K programme and find the love of running. They have both gone on to keep up their running by joining a local running group and keeping up their new found passion. A massive highlight in all my running years was last year completing the Virgin London Marathon on the same day as my sister, a day I never thought possible.
I am very lucky to have found running….I mean running has given me so many experiences both physically and mentally, many of which I share with my clients. We at SPEAR wanted to open a challenge up to our clients, friends of clients, neighbours of clients, non-clients, colleagues and all the runners in Aberdeen that are out there and wish to take part.
I love that I caught the running bug, and I want it to be as contagious as possible to as many people as possible so they too can enjoy the benefits it brings. I spoke long and hard with my work colleagues to fathom a challenge and help the local community that we work in to find a way to improve their health both physically and mentally.
Throughout the challenge we will feature different local organisations that are accessible for runners and how they can support you. Regardless of age, ability, geographical location and level of seriousness there is a running group for you. This is summed up in the group ran by a close clinic friend called “Run or walk, Talk or Don’t talk” group that meet to literally enjoy company/exercise.
AT SPEAR, our speciality is to support the needs of the injured runner but also the needs of runners who have bodies that are struggling to cope with the new found loads that we subject them to when starting out running. We aim to offer advice, over the challenge, to the newest of runners right through to the weekend warriors out there on how you can best avoid injury. We will be giving you these hints and tips on our social media sites…just follow/subscribe to the SPEAR social and also @physiorun.
So what is the challenge you talk about…..
We have maybe all heard of the 6 major marathons (Tokyo, Berlin, Chicago, London, Boston and New York), we wanted to take inspiration from the runners completing them all and create a local 6 parkrun challenge. (A couple of our clients are well on their way to collecting all six, with one achieving this in Tokyo this year).
We wanted to create a challenge that inspired runners, built not only on the wonderful C25K programs, but that also gave runners a longer-term goal to achieve and push on with their running.
Furthermore, the running community has been instrumental in helping improve the health and wellbeing of many of the clients that we see on a daily basis and we really wanted to give something back to this community. The challenge will aim to not only supply the physical challenge of completing the 6 parkruns, but also the mental satisfaction that volunteering at parkrun brings.
The Challenge
“The SPEAR Big Six parkrun Challenge”
The aim of the challenge is to complete the 6 local parkruns to Aberdeen
The challenge is consolidated with dedicating your time to one of the parkrun volunteer rosters including the Duthie junior parkrun on a Sunday. The challenge is not associated with parkrun, but on discussion with the local ambassadors, we wanted to give something back to this fantastic event that happens all over the world and are lucky to have in abundance in Aberdeen.
The challenge would require a donation to the local charity “Mental Health Aberdeen” but there is no stipulated amount – just as much as you feel you can afford/want to donate. This is anonymous and in no way reflective on the challenge itself. Mental Health Aberdeen is a local charity that provides counselling and information services to adults and young people experiencing difficulties related to their mental health and wellbeing. We all have moments where our mental wellbeing is under stress or strain and to have a local service that helps with these moments we felt it would be great to have them as the main charity of the challenge.
When does the fun begin?
The challenge will run from March until November and aims to launch on 1/3/20 coinciding with the first major marathon, Tokyo Marathon, and close 1/11/20 after the New York Marathon. So only runs between these two dates will count towards the challenge.
As a runner how can you benefit
Everyone loves a medal, isn’t that the main reason we get into running in the first place? This challenge is no different, on completion of the 6 parkruns and volunteer role you will receive a medal. Also as a way of saying thank you, the runners that sign up to the challenge will also be entitled to members rate at SPEAR using the code: – SPEARBIGSIXCHALLENGE (mentioning this at the desk if you do come and see us). We also offer a wide range of discounts for different running groups around Aberdeen so you may find that there is already one in place.
Lastly, you will get a free burst of endorphins when you experience the wonderful community spirit at parkruns and the wellbeing “buzz” that volunteering and cheering on other runners brings. You may even enjoy it so much you might find yourself signing up and volunteering as many times as you like – the more you sign up the bigger the buzz that comes with submerging yourself into the parkrun community.
Or if you are part of a bigger group – how about organising a parkrun takeover. This occurs when your running group/work fill a few roles on the roster as a team. It is great fun and throughly enjoyable.
If like me you had loads of questions surrounding the challenge, hopefully I will be able to answer them below:-
FAQ
Can I run alternative parkruns not in the big 6 Aberdeen challenge?
Yes of course – complete them all. Unfortunately, as in the major marathon series, running Loch Ness or Paris aren’t part of the big 6 marathons so the same rules apply here. Still run them but the 6 above are the 6 local “majors”.
I have only started running can I take part?
Yes – register at the parkrun website, download your token and start ticking off the top 6. Remember to enjoy your run/walk. You can volunteer at anytime but you will still need to register to get a barcode. We also suggest looking into the following groups (+ many out there to choose from) to support your running: –
- Fit Like Joggers
- JSK – Jog Scotland Kintore
- Hazlehead Jog Scotland
- Meldrum Jog Scotland
- Newmachar Running Group
- Hidden Peaks Running Group
- Metro Aberdeen Running Group
We ask you to increase the exposure of the challenge through social media with the #SPEARBIGSIXCHALLENGE and tagging our business account @spear_sportsinjuryclinic and @physiorun
I have a long-term injury that means I cannot complete the challenge can I take part?
Absolutely – By volunteering at the six main Aberdeen/shire parkruns you would have completed the challenge and therefore a very well earned medal would be yours.
If I have a question on the day about the challenge whom should I speak to?
The event/challenge has been organized by SPEAR Physiotherapy and not by the local parkrun teams. If you have any questions then please contact us at info@spearphysiotherapy.co.uk and we will get back to you as soon as possible, which might be the next working day if at the weekend.
How will you know when I have done a parkrun?
When you have completed one parkrun you will have to take a ‘selfie’ beside the sign for the parkrun and tag @spear_sportsinjuryclinic @Physiorun and add the hash tag #SPEARBIGSIXCHALLENGE the more you tag us the more we can support your journey.
How will you know when I complete the challenge?
On completing the 6 we will ask you to compose a collage (a picture made up of many pictures – I had to google it) and again tag the above tags and #tag them and only then will your MEDAL be allocated to you (yeah thats why we do it – the medal)
Do I have to pay to enter the challenge?
No – It’s free, but we would encourage you to pay a donation to the above charity at Aberdeen Mental Health and this would be gratefully received.
Why this charity?
At SPEAR we recognize the importance of both physical and mental health, locally the charity recently supported a SPEAR physio James around the London marathon and in order to keep raising money for the charity this challenge would like to raise awareness and funds for the local mental health charity.
Do I get a Prize for being first finished?
Although you may receive your medal sooner, there is no emphasis on speed for completing the challenge. The ethos of parkrun is that it is a run not a race and the same applies with this – it’s the completion of the 6 (and volunteering) that is the challenge not how quick you get it done.
How long do I have to complete the challenge?
The challenge will open after the first Major Marathon – Tokyo (March), and end after the last New York (November).
So I am not technically minded can you break down the challenge in easy steps?
Certainly please see the bullet points below: –
- Decide you wish to complete the challenge ( and chum your chums into it too….)
- Register at https://www.parkrun.com to receive your unique parkrun barcode that you will need for each and every run – “No barcode, no time, no exceptions!”
- Take a visit to our chosen charity site https://www.justgiving.com/mentalhealthaberdeen and make a donation that you are comfortable with.
- At anytime during the challenge you are entitled to members rate at SPEAR Physiotherapy and only have to quote the code SPEARBIGSIXCHALLENGE to receive this.
- On completing the first parkrun, we simply ask you to take a picture (selfie or not) with a feature of the parkrun or the sign and post on Social media using the @spear_sportsinjuryclinic and @physiorun #spearbigsixchallenge
- Put your name forward for a volunteering role – the core teams at parkrun will make you very welcome and at ease with a role that suits you – pacer to scanner to tail walker the list is endless
- Repeating the process on each parkrun of tagging and sharing helps us to support you on your challenge and encourage you along the way.
- After you have completed all 6 parkruns – and have volunteered at least once – creating a picture collage of all six + you volunteering and tagging us in the photo, then you are entitled to your medal as a memento of your hard work and completion of the challenge.
- Now you can sit back and reflect on completing the SPEARBIGSIXCHALLENGE and encourage your running friends/work colleagues or family to do the same – share the endorphins
This event and challenge has been created and is organized by SPEAR Physiotherapy, not by the local parkrun core teams. If you wish further information please contact us at SPEAR on info@spearphysiotherapy.co.uk or by telephone 01224 900102
We are really excited about this challenge and hope to see you along at any of the venues across Aberdeen and if you see a marshal thank them for volunteering as next time that could be you.
“What doesn’t challenge us, doesn’t change us”
Thank you
James
SPEAR Physiotherapy