17/08/2026
Run Report by Gary Marshal - 15
What has Orpington parkrun ever done for me?
Sense of community?
OK, but apart from a sense of community, what has Orpington parkrun ever done for me?
You’re not alone, there’s always someone at the same level?
Ok, but apart from a sense of community and not feeling alone because there’s always someone at the same level, what has Orpington parkrun ever done for me?
Consistency?
OK, but apart from a sense of community, not feeling alone because there’s always someone at the same level, and consistency, what has Orpington parkrun ever done for me?
Having a routine, somewhere to be?
OK, but apart from a sense of community, not feeling alone because there’s always someone at the same level, consistency, and having a routine and somewhere to be, what has Orpington parkrun ever done for me?
Feeling productive, a sense of achievement, that gives you momentum for the rest of the day?
OK, but apart from a sense of community, not feeling alone because there’s always someone at the same level, consistency, having a routine and somewhere to be, and feeling productive, a sense of achievement, that gives you momentum for the rest of the day, what has Orpington parkrun ever done for me?
Exploring new places.
OK, but apart from a sense of community, not feeling alone because there’s always someone at the same level, consistency, having a routine and somewhere to be, and feeling productive, a sense of achievement, that gives you momentum for the rest of the day, and exploring new places, what has Orpington parkrun ever done for me?
You get rewarded for how many parkruns you’ve done, not how fast you are?
OK, but apart from a sense of community, not feeling alone because there’s always someone at the same level, consistency, having a routine and somewhere to be, feeling productive, a sense of achievement, that gives you momentum for the rest of the day, exploring new places and getting rewarded for how many parkruns you’ve done, not how fast you are, what has Orpington parkrun ever done for me?
Getting into nature? A cool route that goes round local fields and paths?
OK, but apart from a sense of community, not feeling alone because there’s always someone at the same level, consistency, having a routine and somewhere to be, feeling productive, a sense of achievement, that gives you momentum for the rest of the day, exploring new places, getting rewarded for how many parkruns you’ve done, not how fast you are and getting into nature with cool route that goes round local fields and paths, what has Orpington parkrun ever done for me?
It’s free?
OK, but apart from a sense of community, not feeling alone because there’s always someone at the same level, consistency, having a routine and somewhere to be, feeling productive, a sense of achievement, that gives you momentum for the rest of the day, exploring new places, getting rewarded for how many parkruns you’ve done, not how fast you are, getting into nature with cool route that goes round local fields and paths, and the fact that it’s free, what has Orpington parkrun ever done for me?
Friendly, encouraging, non-judgemental marshals?
OK, but apart from a sense of community, not feeling alone because there’s always someone at the same level, consistency, having a routine and somewhere to be, feeling productive, a sense of achievement, that gives you momentum for the rest of the day, exploring new places, getting rewarded for how many parkruns you’ve done, not how fast you are, getting into nature with cool route that goes round local fields and paths, and the fact that it’s free, and friendly, encouraging, non-judgemental marshals, what has Orpington parkrun ever done for me?
All the other volunteers, who give up their Saturday mornings for free?
OK, but apart from a sense of community, not feeling alone because there’s always someone at the same level, consistency, having a routine and somewhere to be, feeling productive, a sense of achievement, that gives you momentum for the rest of the day, exploring new places, getting rewarded for how many parkruns you’ve done, not how fast you are, getting into nature with cool route that goes round local fields and paths, and the fact that it’s free, and friendly, encouraging, non-judgemental marshals, and all the other volunteers, who give up their Saturday mornings, and often mid week time for free, what has Orpington parkrun ever done for me?
Maybe it’s time not to think, what can Orpington parkrun do for me, but what can I do for Orpington parkrun? If you want to volunteer, please get in touch.
