Efforts of Muir of Ord jogger hailed at Inverness Parkrun
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A woman who has inspired countless people to make jogging part of their lives was thanked for her efforts over the past 15 years at a surprise presentation.
Joan Munro is a familiar face to hundreds of Inverness Parkrun participants every Saturday morning as one of the volunteers who ensure the hugely popular 5km event goes ahead. Her beaming smile is a welcome beacon for exhausted runners on the timed runs.
She was also the driving force behind the success of the Muir of Ord Jogscotland group as a leader who encouraged folk of all abilities to get out on a regular basis for social running.
A group of fellow Jogscotland members who take part in the Torvean parkrun in Inverness decided to mark a milestone with a special surprise.
Joan said: “I was volunteering in my usual position with the finisher tokens. I was competently taken by surprise when they called me from my post towards the end to present me with a medal, a card and a fantastic book of photos and memories of the 15 years of Muir of Ord Jogscotland.”
She added:”I have had to give up running – my hip and knee joints are complaining too much. I hugely miss all my Jogscotland friends.
“I’m so pleased that my fellow jogleaders are keeping the group going. It was fantastic to see some of the group taking part in the parkrun.
“It was particularly good to see my best jogging buddy, Beth Smillie, running so well. Beth joined Muir of Ord Jogscotland about four years ago at one of our Couch to 5K sessions and has kept going since then.
“The first parkrun she did, it took her an hour to complete and a lot of help and encouragement to finish. “
She said that on the day of her own presentation, a very trimmed down Beth completed the 5k some 20 minutes faster. She said: “I am so proud of her achievements.”
