The Tauranga Parkrun will be celebrating International Women's Day with a celebratory run this Saturday.

Parkrun co-director Jez Rogers says it's about acknowledging the large number of women and girls in the local parkrun community.

'Parkrun is an incredibly inclusive event and we have many women and girls of all ages and abilities who join us, so because International Women's Day is this Wednesday we decided it would be great to acknowledge this at our weekly Tauranga parkrun this Saturday at 8am.

'We also warmly welcome any new walkers and runners who would like to join us.”

Parkrun is a weekly, free and friendly 5km community event that happens in towns and cities across the world, with a primary vision of creating an inclusive and empowering community environment for people of all physical abilities to come together for a walk or run.

Parkrun co-director Sally Cooke says it's about improving the community's health and well-being and creating a strong community environment for that to happen.

'We have an amazingly connected and empowered community of men, women, children, families and visitors who join us each Saturday morning at Tauranga parkrun,” says Sally.

'Where it specifically aligns with International Women's Day is in the large number of women who are part of our parkrun community and in our shared sense around the importance of empowering women.”

Tauranga resident Ros Frost has been a member of the Tauranga Parkrun group for the past three years and says that as well as improving her health and fitness it provides the enjoyment of running or walking, with no pressure, alongside like-minded people.

'The gentle encouragement from others and support when required is empowering,” says Ros.

'The environment is inclusive with lots of laughter and friendly faces welcoming anyone who chooses to turn up.

'Parkrun has become such a huge part of my life now, in that, when I go away, I will look for a parkrun to participate in and if I happen to be unable to do a parkrun on a Saturday morning my day is ‘just not right'.

'I have met some great people and eagerly look forward to Saturday mornings wherever I may be!”

Ros says the parkrun community has also assisted with recovery from injury by providing her with a platform for rehabilitation.

'The opportunity to volunteer (and therefore still be involved) whilst unable to walk any distance was great for my mental wellbeing.

'As I slowly regain the strength in my ankle the ability to walk/run a 5k distance with the support and encouragement of fellow park runners/walkers is immense.

'Throughout my time in the parkrun community I have found it does not matter how fast, how slow or what your level of fitness is, you are always made to feel welcome.”

Tauranga Parkrun starts every Saturday morning from 8am at Kopurererua Valley.

Fellow Tauranga Parkrun participant Ciara Young says it's great to see groups of women running or walking together, combining social connection and movement.

'For many women parkrun is a chance to do something for themselves each week, in amongst their busy work and home life. It's a chance to set goals, and work towards achieving them.

'This summer my parents were visiting from Canada, and I was able to introduce my mum to Tauranga Parkrun.

'We also checked out other parkruns around New Zealand during our travels. I loved seeing her gain confidence in her running, and am thrilled that she plans to participate in her local parkrun now that she's back home.”

Tauranga Parkrun is free to participate in and is staged through a strong network of volunteers who opt out of running some Saturday's to instead fill the volunteer roster.

'I find volunteering as a course marshal as much fun as running in the event,” says Ciara.

'I get a real buzz out of seeing mums running alongside their little ones, sharing that love of exercise and being outdoors together.”

Sally says for women across Tauranga, and men who support them, this Saturday might be just the day to check out the amazing parkrun community.

'Let's celebrate International Women's Day and the amazing women in our community. Whatever your age or fitness level we have an incredibly supportive community at parkrun and you get to walk or run through the beautiful Kopurererua valley. It really is the best way to kick off your Saturday.”

Come celebrate International Women's Day this Saturday at Tauranga Parkrun.

To find out more go to https://www.parkrun.co.nz/tauranga/

Tauranga Parkrun happens every Saturday morning from 8am at Kopurererua Valley Reserve, with runners and walkers assembling from 7.30am at the end of 17^th Avenue West just down from the Historic Village.