A MUM from Llangefni is joining forces with Wales sprinting legend Iwan Thomas to encourage others to take part in parkrun this weekend.

Findings by the National Lottery showed 77 per cent of parents in Wales say the presence of sporting role models can play an important role in encouraging their children to be more active.

Josie Rhisiart, 48, from Llangefni says taking part in parkrun has been life-changing.

She said: “I had never been a 'runner' and couldn't really see the appeal but, after the loss of my eldest son nine years earlier, my life had spiralled out of control.

“So, with my twin boys just starting full-time school in early 2016, I started the NHS Couch to 5k programme as a personal challenge.”

She eventually agreed to join a friend at Penrhyn parkrun.

Jodie added: “I finally took the plunge in November 2016 and was amazed at how quickly I became part of the parkrun family and realised that there was joy to be found in running with others.

“A little group of Penrhyn parkrunners started sloping off during the week for social runs in the mountains and along the beautiful North Wales coast, regrouping with our families at parkrun every Saturday morning.

“Within 18 months of starting my solo Couch to 5K journey, I had lost 6.5 stone in weight, regained my sense of self, and completed a marathon alongside my friends from parkrun.

“I’ve overcome my insecurities about running in public and going to parkrun opened the door to a whole new life for me.

“The welcoming environment and friendly support that I received at parkrun inspired me to train as a run leader so that I could help other people discover the life-changing benefits that social running can offer.

“With more people starting to run in my local area, I identified a need for a parkrun event that was accessible to people in our town and made use of our lovely Nant y Pandy nature reserve near Llangefni.

“We are now just about to celebrate our fourth anniversary at Nant y Pandy parkrun.

“Obviously, COVID was a real blow to our parkrun event, but we are so happy to be welcoming regulars and visitors every week and all the volunteers get a buzz from the great feedback our little event receives.

“My passion for running has become so deeply ingrained in my life.

“I have been transformed from someone who truly believed that their body was not 'built to run', to someone who spends most of their waking moments championing social running!”

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National Lottery ambassador and former world, Commonwealth Games and European champion, Iwan Thomas, added: “We’ve truly been spoilt this summer with so much incredible sport.

“As a proud Welshman, it’s been brilliant to see more role models created at the Commonwealth Games.

“Who can forget Olivia Breen’s trackside interview after winning gold? Or the delight on Gemma Frizelle’s face when she won gold in the rhythmic gymnastics?

“We’ve had some amazing performances right across the sports from cycling to athletics and boxing to swimming.

“And we’ve been inspired by the success over the border of the Lionesses at this year’s Euros, too.

“Looking at the research from The National Lottery, and as a parent myself, I can see why so many feel that sporting moments like the Commonwealth Games help encourage children to be active.

“They see positive role models and want to give it a go.

“And we can all play a part in encouraging children to be more active – every week parkrun, which has had £3.6million of investment from The National Lottery, provides the chance for kids to get active in the great outdoors for free – and of course parents and families can join in, too.

“Let’s celebrate our summer of sport in style and all get involved in a local parkrun this weekend.”

Each week across the UK, over 150,000 people take part in parkrun and over 12,500 of them are Juniors.

National Lottery players raise more than £30m a week for good causes, including vital funding into sport – such as more than £3.6m to parkrun.

Russ Jefferys, parkrun chief executive, said: “It’s great to see that parents believe athletes and sporting role models can play a role in helping inspire children to be active, but we can always do more.

“Investment from The National Lottery, in small grassroots organisations like parkrun, helps us to continue the vital work to break down barriers to physical activity, encourage and support individuals to participate at a time and in a way that suits them, and to challenge the structural inequalities that exist which still prevent too many from taking steps towards improving their own health and happiness.”

For more information and to find your nearest parkrun event, visit www.parkrun.org.uk.