Parkrun Profile - Geoff Render

Posted on November 6, 2015 at 7:00 am by Ben Fraser | no comments

Allow us to introduce the Leeds parkrunner profile, a series of informal interviews that provide a snapshot of the 815,000+ people that make this weekly event truly special. For our first profile we would like to introduce you to Geoff Render…

Age

37

Occupation

Support Worker

How did you get involved in running and specifically parkrun?

I was overweight and joined a gym to lose some weight and a staff member at the gym suggested parkrun - that was back in 2009. Since then I’ve done 168 of them in 45 locations within 3 countries. I did my 100th in Ireland!

Why do you volunteer at parkrun?

I volunteer at parkrun mainly in winter, but I don’t volunteer as much as I wish I could. Parkrun relies on volunteers to keep it going, without people giving up their time on a Saturday morning it wouldn’t happen. Volunteer roles range from the run director – covering the main aspects of the event (I’ve done this 3 times) right through to pacing people at different speeds and running the tail (a way of running and volunteering at the same time)! Hats off to those people that turn up week in week out and keep it running like a dream – your all hero’s. I love the social element and the chance to support others and since my recent stroke this is the one thing I can still do.

What is special about parkrun?

The choice of different parkruns - especially in Leeds and the West Yorkshire district. There is so much choice in the types of terrain (hilly, flat) and you get to visit some new places at the same time. I love that you have the freedom to walk, jog or run it and once you are finished you can dive into that mini community that revolves around each parkrun - it’s been an extended family to me over the years.

What would you tell yourself if you could go back to before you started running?

Don’t worry about your speed and being the best just enjoy the experiences each one brings, like learning about different types of running (Track, Fell, and Triathlon). You may also make some friends for life along the way!

There are 6 parkruns in Leeds, check them out here: http://runleeds.co.uk/events/

Photo credit - Wayne Herbert