The first junior parkrun in Cockermouth saw 56 youngsters take part.
Held on Sunday at 9am, the children took to the town’s greenway for the 2k walk or run and pParents and grandparents joined the run to spur their youngsters on.
For the last few months, key volunteers, including Sam Ayres and Katie Harper, have been working away behind the scenes to bring a junior parkrun to the town, and finally this weekend the course went live.
The junior parkrun, which starts at Bellbrigg Lonning playing fields in Cockermouth, gives children between the ages of four and 14 an opportunity to run or walk the lapped course.
Event volunteer Naomi Le Voi said: “The atmosphere was great, and it really was lovely to see the kids having so much fun whilst exercising as they passed each other on the greenway.”
Cockermouth also holds a weekly 5k parkrun on Saturdays at 9am.
Cumberland Council’s Lakes to Sea Community Panel who matched the funding provided by businesses and fundraising so junior parkrun could be set up.
Councillor Helen Tucker said: “It was wonderful to see so many children and their adults participating. Health and well-being are central to Cumberland Council’s philosophy, and to parkrun. This new event will help everyone, young and not-so-young to be active and to be involved in our community.”
Sam added: “It is so good to have both the 5km and 2km events in Cockermouth now. They are open to all and have been supported by local businesses, fundraising by the community including local running and triathlon clubs and Cumberland Council.
“We’ve also had support and help from neighbouring parkrun’s and our local parkrun Ambassador Adam Campion. In particular, Keswick junior parkrun and Cockermouth Rugby Club have been supportive as an initial group of volunteers prepared to support junior parkrun in Cockermouth.
“Now both events are here – they are free and welcoming to all to get involved. We’d love to see you come along.”
If your child would like to get involved or you would like to volunteer, sign up on the parkrun website https://www.parkrun.org.uk/register/ as everyone needs their own individual barcode.
