By Janet Wight

parkrun, an international organization that promotes free weekly 5k events throughout the world, is coming to St. Paul’s Como Park.

These events emphasize wellness, inclusivity and community, welcoming anyone who would like to participate—from dog walkers to elite runners and everyone in between.

Como Park parkrun will be the fourth location in Minnesota, joining ones already established in Chaska (Courthouse Lake), Cottage Grove (Hamlet Park) and Eagan (Thomas Lake Park).

The first Como Park parkrun is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 26. Subsequently, the fun runs will be held every Saturday morning, year-round. Cancellations due to conflicting events or severe weather will be announced online when necessary.

Founded in London in 2004, there are now over 2,500 parkruns worldwide including nearly 90 in the United States.

Jeremy Wight, a long-term resident of the Como neighborhood, has spearheaded the launch of the Como parkrun.

As a new member of the District 10 Como Community Council, Wight had been contemplating various ideas for community building. He stumbled upon the parkrun website while researching bicycling and running routes.

As a park enthusiast, Wight felt that parkrun would be a perfect fit in Como Park.

“Retirement gave me an opportunity to look around for ways to contribute to our community,” Wight said. “This one stood out.”

After contacting Nate Damro, parkrun regional ambassador, Wight learned he would need to obtain permission from the City of St. Paul to establish a parkrun in Como Park. He also needed to submit names of at least 10 volunteers who would agree to actively participate in the rollout.

Wight circulated announcements on Facebook pages, running groups, the District 10 newsletter and neighborhood groups to gauge community interest. He quickly received feedback from enough interested volunteers to fulfill this requirement.

City permission was the next major hurdle. Although attempts to establish parkruns in many large cities have hit roadblocks, Health and Fitness Specialist Katie Foss, with St. Paul’s Department of Parks and Recreation, was on board right from the start. Her support paved the way for prompt written approval from the city.

Participants and volunteers need to register just once online to receive a barcode which may be used at any parkrun location around the world. In fact, parkrun tourism is alive and well in the Twin Cities area, with regional and overseas travelers joining locals at these area events.

Each 5k finisher will have the opportunity to have his or her barcode scanned and paired with a finishing token that will provide an electronic record of participation.

Volunteers will manage the weekly parkrun events. A minimum five are needed each week to fill the required roles. Como Park parkrun will endure only if enough volunteers come forward to make it a sustainable community event, which is the ultimate goal.

“We’ll have some challenges ahead,” Wight said. “What if there are too many conflicting events? How can we keep it thriving during our long winters? But other parkruns have succeeded and we can too.”

Another important component of the parkrun experience is the chance to socialize at an after-event coffee hour. Participants and volunteers will be invited to gather at Dock & Paddle located in the Como Lakeside Pavilion.

Visit parkrun.us to learn more about volunteering or to obtain additional information.

Janet Wight is a regular freelance writer for the Bugle. Jeremy Wight, event director for Como Park parkrun, is her husband.