It’s early on a damp Saturday morning. The sky is grey, but the atmosphere is cheerful at a local Parkrun event. Volunteers are seen in pink hi-vis vests chatting close to the start line. Runners are warming up, doing stretches, sipping some drinks, and setting their stopwatches.
Meanwhile, Max and Jordan arrive at the event, their car slowly approaching the parking area, a wide grassy field where others are already parked.
Max is peering through the windscreen. “Are you sure we’re all supposed to park on there? That’s a field, not a car park.”
Max, who is autistic, and in his late teens, prefers simpler information and communication.
Jordan, his older cousin, who is both practical and patient is carefully inspecting the ground, including watching the other cars. “Yeah, looks like it. Everyone else is parking here. Do you see?”
Max is a little concerned. “Yes, but it seems the ground’s a bit wet. What if the car gets stuck? I saw something like that happened once on TV. A tractor had to come along and pull cars out.”
Jordan smiles. “Oh yes, I remember. But look, the cars already on there seem fine. And they’ve even parked closer to the edge where it appears to be a bit softer.”
Max is still unsure. “But what if they’re wrong? What if we all get stuck together?”
Jordan responds. “Well, there’s a phrase that's relevant here. If lots of people are doing something the same way only, and it seems to be working just fine, it usually means it’s safe to do. That phrase is ‘safety in numbers.’”
Max frowns. “Safety in numbers? What sort of numbers? Like 7s, 3s? Is 12 a safe number?"
Jordan laughs gently. “No, it's not quite like that. This expression simply means when you’re part of a group, especially doing something together, you’re often safer or more confident than if you were doing it alone.”
Max is deep in thought. “So, like how birds fly in flocks together?”
Jordan replies. “Yes, exactly! Or how penguins huddle together to keep warm in colder climates. Or how runners may group together in races to keep pace.”
Max then nods slowly. “So if everyone’s parking here without any problems, it’s likely safe for us too?”
Jordan. “Yes, that’s the idea. And even if something did happen, for example, like, say, we got stuck, we wouldn’t be alone. Others would help. That’s part of the safety too, and the spirit of the parkrun community.”
Max continues watching the field, then sighs. “Alright. But I’m choosing the driest-looking spot.”
Jordan grins. “Deal. Strategic and safe.”
Max carefully directs Jordan to a patch of grass where other cars have already parked. The tyres roll gently over the damp ground, but the car settles just fine.
Max breathed a sigh of relief. “We didn’t get stuck, which, for me is good.”
Jordan. “Told you. Safety in numbers. And also good tyre pressure.”
Max is now smirking. “Next time, I’ll bring a penguin.”
Jordan responds. “Please do. That might just be the most interesting Parkrun yet.”
And so Max and Jordan go to join the crowd of runners at the start line, blending into the cheerful bustle, looking confident, calm, and a little wiser than before.
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