Hundreds join the weeklyfitness run along the prom

Hundreds of people have been risimg to the challenge to stay fit and healthy by taking part in a weekly five kilometre run along Hastings seafront.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Aug 2015, 15:02 BST

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Parkrun 20 SUS-150824-133905001Parkrun 20 SUS-150824-133905001
Parkrun 20 SUS-150824-133905001

Over 500 parkrunners have now made their debuts since the inaugural Hastings parkrun on April 18 say Hastings Borough Council.

The 20th run took place on Saturday in glorious sunshine.

The event supported by Hastings Borough Council’s Active Hastings team is already well established with a healthy weekly average of nearly 140 and 75% of those taking part are non-club runners; proof that parkrun really does attract people into grass roots running.

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Cllr Dawn Poole the council’s lead member for leisure explained: “The weather on Saturday was perfect for the 20th parkrun event.

“Many runners including families, children and Mums and Dads with young ones in pushchairs turned out to enjoy this great Saturday morning activity.

“A total of 1000 runners from over 100 running clubs have already enjoyed the free to enter 5k Hastings seafront promenade course.

“Parkrun tourism has had definite commercial benefits for Hastings, as the parkrun has hosted runners from all over the South East, as well as the Midlands, North West, North East and Scotland. We have also had visitors from Australia as well as the event director for the Florida parkrun.

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“The run is suitable for all ages and abilities and there is a sweep runner at the back of the field for those who walk part of the way round.

“Children are welcome to take part, but those under 11 must be accompanied during the run by an adult who can keep up with them.”

Hastings AC’s Max Thomas set the course record in the opening event with an impressively quick 15.37; Hailsham Harriers’ Sue Fry holds the ladies course record (19.06); and Hastings Runners’ Sylvia Huggett recently set the age grading record with a huge score of 87.88%.

Hastings half marathon director Eric Hardwick MBE is now a regular parkrunner, and former Sussex county legends Jamie Hernon and Paul Emerson have also been tempted out of “retirement” by the local parkrun.

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Parkruns are free to take part in - simply register at www.parkrun.org.uk/hastings, download your barcode and then turn up at any of the 330 venues across the UK.

All the runs start at 9am. Hastings parkrun, which is based at Grosvenor Gardens, St. Leonards, needs 18 marshals and volunteers each week to ensure that the event goes smoothly.

Please contact the event organiser Nick Brown (email [email protected]) if you would like to help.

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Related topics:HastingsParkrun