Workington parkrun regulars have spent time litter-picking on part of their regular Saturday morning route.
They estimate that over three tons of rubbish were collected in the two-and-a-hours they spent tidying the bank behind Northside.
That section next to the River Derwent is the first half kilometre of the parkrun route that starts at Calva Bridge and leads to a turning point at the old temporary Tesco supermarket.
Regulars at the Workington parkrun have felt embarrassed over recent years with the amount of rubbish dumped in the first section of the run.
They wanted to complement the work completed by Sustrans, Workington Nature Partnership and the council on the section between the two ponds that promotes the niceness of Workington.
A total of 27 people stepped up, including two undergoing treatments for cancer, some 60 to 70 years old, teenagers and toddlers, as well as the regular parkrun members.
Stephen Atherton was able to source refuse bags and litter picking sticks by liaising directly with Allerdale Waste Services, which then sent two trucks to the pre-arranged pick-up point to move the waste.
Alan Jenkinson, one of the parkrun regulars, said “It was unbelievable the different items we removed from the bank.
“The list included upright fridge/freezer, two prams, four garden tables, baby walker, garden chairs, washing machine drum, garden hoses, five shopping baskets, six large flower pots, garden swing frame, dog carrier, cooking pans, parasol, Thomas the tank engine, car wheel and tyre, Skuttlebug, carpets, lino, giant pair of shoes, 15 soiled nappies as well as bagged empty beer cans, plastic bottles and the usual crisp and chocolate rappers.
“It is estimated that it was over three tons-worth of rubbish.
“Workington can now show the nice woodland side of the town as visiting runners/walkers meander along the cycle path.”
After their efforts the litter pickers went back to Workington Cricket Club for celebratory coffee/tea and cakes.
The cricket club had provided a wheelbarrow for use in the clean-up and were delighted to entertain the participants afterwards.
Workington parkrun has developed from a group of runners who used to meet at Moorclose a number of years ago.
Alan added: “Our members can either walk or run the route. One lady who walks has been doing it for nine months and has reduced her time from one hour 18 minutes to 55 minutes.”
parkrun members meet every Saturday morning at 9am for their regular weekly event.
