Ambleside author to launch parkrun book at Fred's Bookshop

The 'alphabet challenge' involves doing a parkrun anywhere in the world with a different first letter. This can be done in 25 parkruns as there is no parks beginning with the letter X that host the event.

Eileen Jones, part of the volunteer team at the Fell Foot parkrun, completed her quest at Zuiderpark in The Netherlands. 

She writes about people she met doing the challenge such as the retired health and safety officer completing his seventh alphabet, the woman on her way to 100 consecutive parkruns reached by public transport, families running with children, and couples who got engaged on the way to the finish funnel.

The book cover (Image: Eileen Jones)

Other than F for Fell Foot, other Cumbrian parkrun events featured include K for Keswick, R for Rothay Park, and W for Whinlatter. There are memories from Ulverston (Ford), Millom, Barrow, Workington, Whitehaven, Maryport, Aspatria (Bower Park), Penrith, Carlisle, Talkin Tarn, Black Combe, and even HMP Haverigg.

Kirkstall Harriers at Rothay (Image: Eileen Jones)

There will be a local book launch at Fred's Bookshop, Ambleside, on Wednesday, March 15 (from 4-6pm). The national launch will be on April 1 at Heaton parkrun in Manchester.