The Running thread

[Risso]

Josh Kerr bigging up parkrun in the papers yesterday, saying it's where he learned to race in Edinburgh.

[TopDeck113]

parkrun proving again that it can be all things to all runners. 

(Congratulations Risso on your 25th run!)

[Risso]

Thanks mate! A friend of mine has set up a new parkrun course in Desborough, Northants. Think it's the 3rd or 4th week this week, so going to give that a go. Did the IOM one last week, absolutely not a fan at all.

[Risso]

How many of you done now Rob, seem to recall you saying it was loads a while ago. (Over a 100?)

[TopDeck113]

How many of you done now Rob, seem to recall you saying it was loads a while ago. (Over a 100?)

362

[Risso]

Bloody hell! Good work!

[Bad English]

I saw that Parkrun has been trying to organise events in France but has fallen foul of the requirement for participants to provide a medical certificate. That is really frustrating as it is a massive obstacle to spontaneous participation.

[Risso]

I saw that Parkrun has been trying to organise events in France but has fallen foul of the requirement for participants to provide a medical certificate. That is really frustrating as it is a massive obstacle to spontaneous participation.

Yep, it's a big bone of contention. There are thousands of parkruns all over Europe, and it's a brilliant organisation. I think it's about 400,000 people on average a week take part across the world, all getting out, having a 5K walk or run, meeting people and getting a bit fitter. People of all ages from little kids up to 90 year olds. And all for free. But not if you live in France, because, rules. Have a word Darren!

[Bad English]

SWMBO was moaning the other day because she has to renew her medical certificate for her Aquabike club. This requires going to see your GP and paying €25 which is not refundable by the SS or you mutual health plan. *

It is an inefficient use of everybody's time and resources and you should be able to sign a watertight disclaimer that covers the organisers instead. I say this a layman but no doubt French legal specialists will come up with some laws and case-law judgments that show it's not as as simple as that.

*Obviously, if you are, handily, ill or need a check-up for something else around the time you need a certificate then you just ask for one during the appointment (like you always ask for a prescription for a few boxes of paracetamol because they are refundable whereas buying it off the shelf at the pharmacy is not).

[Risso]

It's madness. Overall, what makes the country's mental and physical health better on average? Millions of people all taking part in exercise, and meeting other like minded people once a week for a 3 mile walk/jog/run, or sitting at home doing bugger all because of ridiculous bureaucracy?

[Bad English]

One (1) Olympic medal in track and field France! I shall write to my députée (or talk to her as I think she might, to our dismay, turn up here on Thursday for a photo op) in indignation.

It is a real problem though. We have had problems organising certain community events in our village because of this requirement, as the French go mad with what we call the 'principe de précaution'.

Another example, you can't bring unwrapped food into school because of health and safety rules so kids have to bring processed shit, and we can't sell pain aux chocolats and croissants from the red, white and blue medalled boulangerie up the road at break  to raise money for school trips to help disadvantaged kids but we can sell horrible industrial margarine ones in plastic wrappers.

[Bad English]

Thank you for reading; I posted this from the downstairs 'office'.

[Risso]

Point out that Georgia Bell got back into international running after doing a parkrun. Her time of 16 minutes convinced her old coach to take her on again. Result: bronze medal at the age of 30.

[Richard E]

I survived a run along the Birmingham Canal towpath between Tipton and Bilston without being overcome by Sodium Cyanide this morning, so that was good.

[Somniloquism]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/articles/cq5d446g5e5o