A family who say being part of the parkrun community has given them a sense of belonging will celebrate this feeling with thousands of like-minded people at the 2024 Vitality Westminster Mile.
The Jones family, from Newport, is made up of Toby and Hayley and their twin daughters Sienna and Lyla. The twins [aged eight] were born prematurely, which led to Sienna being diagnosed with quadriplegic cerebral palsy and parents Toby and Hayley struggling to find an inclusive event for the whole family to be part of.
Parkrun changed all that. The family’s local parkrun in Newport provided a place where they could run, jog, walk and volunteer – Sienna has even acted as the official starter for the town’s junior parkrun event in her distinctive red electric wheelchair.
It has provided an impetus for Toby and Hayley, both keen runners before the birth of their children, to get back into activity and acted as a community of friends for the whole family.
To celebrate the impact parkrun has had on their lives, the Jones family will be taking on the parkrun wave at the Vitality Westminster Mile on Saturday 21 September.
The parkrun wave is just one of the waves at this year’s Vitality Westminster Mile, which is the most iconic mile event in the UK, taking place on a stunning central London course that starts on The Mall and finishes in front of Buckingham Palace.
“Lyla and Sienna’s enthusiasm for running grew as they got older,” said Toby. “Sienna [who is a wheelchair user] started off going to support Lyla, as she didn’t enjoy being pushed that much, but she has found other ways to be involved – whether that is scanning peoples barcodes as a volunteer or taking part on an adapted trike.
“We were always down there and it was the highlight of our week. We met some wonderful people and we found a place where we all belonged.
“The parkrun wave at the Vitality Westminster Mile will be a brilliant day to be a part of. We have made such good friends through parkrun and they have always been so good with the children. We see the same people every week, and Sienna in particular has a real love for it – she is a real star. She absolutely loves taking part in junior parkrun, and won’t miss it whatever the weather. She also enjoys cheering us on during the 5K run on a Saturday alongside the other volunteers.
“To take part with hundreds of parkrunners from around the country will be really special.”
Entries for the 2024 Vitality Westminster Mile on Saturday 21 September are open to all. Entry costs £10 for adults (over 18 on Event Day), £7 for participants aged 12-17 and entry is free of charge for children aged 11 and under. Enter the Vitality Westminster Mile now.