Last year we promoted the new parkrun in Blackpool’s Stanley Park. That event is now well over a year old, and firmly established. This weekend saw the start of the Fylde’s third* parkrun – Fleetwood Promenade.
If you aren’t familiar with parkrun it is a weekly free 5k run open to the whole community. Anybody who can walk the distance can take part, there is no requirement for running ability. The events are staffed entirely by volunteers who give up an hour or so of their Saturday morning.
There is no requirement for parkruns to be in parks – one north west parkrun is actually in a prison! As the name suggests Fleetwood Promenade parkrun is one which isn’t park based, it starts on the sea wall by the YMCA sports centre, heads beyond Rossall Point before doubling back on itself and returning to the start. For those interested in such things the very flat nature of the course and concrete surface makes it very good for setting personal bests.
The initial event this weekend saw more than 150 runners. Many of these were park run ‘tourists’ taking the chance to add a new location to the ones they have taken part in. Over time though as word gets around it will increasingly be an event for locals to organise and participate in, and will be a real asset to Fleetwood.
To take part you just need to be at the prom in front of the YMCA for shortly before 9 this coming Saturday, or weather permitting any other Saturday going forward. If you don’t have a park run number already you need to register at parkrun.org.uk, then bring your barcode to the event to make sure you get a time. Anybody interested in volunteering in one of the varied support roles should register their interest on the Park Run website.
* The first was at Lytham Hall and is still going strong
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