The Special Ascension Day Event 2023
Tampere parkrun #206
It is cold, it is windy, it is downright stormy when I arrive at the starting point of Tampere parkrun on Ascension Day. People are wearing beanies and gloves and it hurts to think of letting go of my hoodie and the thick woolly sweater I’m wearing. This is my second time ever attending Tampere parkrun. The first time was a few years ago, in August and in the bright, hot sunshine. Quite a contrast but still somehow very special to be here for this special event.
Tampere is hosting ice hockey games right now and you can see and feel it everywhere. This is also the case at the Parkrun. The run director, for example, is also sporting the Finnish colours, blue and white, on her cheeks. Some parkrun visitors have brought the face paint with them. Ice hockey fever together with the stormy weather creates an atmosphere not easily forgotten.
The run director hops on a park bench and gives us clear instructions and off we go. There are some first timers as well as parkrun tourists. They are from France, the UK and Australia. Not too many other people are around, just a few people walking their dogs. Plenty of possibilities to look around, feel the wind on the cheeks, hear the waves hitting the shoreline and observe the increasing greenness around us.
The volunteers today need special attention. They are giving their time and effort on this cold and stormy morning and allowing the rest of us to have this unforgettable morning run on Ascension Day 2023. The volunteers are well-prepared, wearing basically winter attire. Later in the coffee shop they are the ones to choose hot drinks whereas I see some parkrunners to go for iced coffee and tea.
Thank you, Tampere team, for today!
Aallot loiskivat raivokkaasti rantaan ja taivas on synkkä ja uhkaava, kun Tampereella juostaan helatorstain erityinen parkrun. Tunnelma on kuitenkin erinomainen ja iloinen. Oman lisänsä päivään tuo jääkiekon mestaruuskisat, jotka ovat menossa Tampereella.
Muutamia ensikertalaisia samoin kuin muutamia juoksu-turisteja on mukana tällä helatorstain juoksulla. Kiitos kaikille, niin osallistujille kuin erityisesti vapaaehtoisille tästä mieleen jäävästä helatorstain aamusta!
-Reija, who was happy to attend this special parkrun and then her very first tram ride in Tampere!
