The weekly Jesmond Dene parkrun had to be cancelled on Saturday 2 December as the weather made it too unsafe for the 5km run to take place.

The decision was announced on social media a day in advance after event organisers assessed the weather forecast. Had it taken place, it would have been the 135th Jesmond Dene parkrun.

The community event is entirely led by volunteers, which can make organising the run more difficult in the winter. Ross Waterston, the event director, revealed: “We do struggle to get volunteers as the mornings get darker and colder.”

However, the cancellations don’t stop runners from maintaining friendships with each other: “If parkruns are cancelled, it is not uncommon for groups to arrange to meet up at other events, or just meet up for a coffee,” said Waterston.

Waterston expressed how important parkruns are to the local community. “Many people report that parkrun is a significant event in their lives”. He said that parkruns have often been prescribed by GPs for both mental and physical health benefits.

Daisy Price, 20, is an avid park runner, having completed over 200 parkruns since she was 14 years old. She describes the runs as “addicting” and “so full of joy”. Price, who lives close to Jesmond Dene, explained why she loves parkruns so much: “Running with people makes the world of difference to me, the time just disappears. The community feel is so nice.”

Parkruns have always been a family affair for Price, who started out running with her dad, while her mum watched on.

On the weekend of the 2 December parkrun, Price’s mum had travelled up from Nottingham, where she grew up, in part to watch her daughter race. “When my parents come up to visit, it’s often framed around parkrun,” she said. “I was disappointed that it was cancelled – but not surprised because it definitely looked pretty dangerous.”

Price has completed parkruns in many different locations, including in Nottingham, but she is particularly fond of Jesmond Dene. “It’s genuinely one of my favourite runs. I think it’s such a selling point for the local area. It’s beautiful and has so many nice views,” she said.

The Jesmond Dene and Leazes parkrun events are currently collecting clothing and other essentials to donate to The People’s Kitchen, a Newcastle-based charity which provides a safe haven for vulnerable people.

Runners are encouraged to support the charity’s ‘Feed a Friend for a Fiver‘ initiative. The People’s Kitchen told JesmondLocal: “The money donated goes towards providing over 200 meals seven days a week to [the] homeless and vulnerable in our community.”

Jesmond Dene parkrun was not the only local sports event that had to be cancelled last weekend due to the snow, as West Moor & Jesmond AFC had to cancel their match against Newcastle Independent FC.

Update 3:50pm, 11th December: This post was updated to correct the date of the Parkrun.