January 25th, 2012
More than 100 budding runners and joggers have registered for the first Eastbourne Parkrun taking place this Saturday at Shinewater Park.
The new Parkrun will follow a 5km course around Shinewater Park at 9am every Saturday and those looking for a fitness challenge can take part for free and compete against their own personal clocks.
With several other sporting events coming up in Eastbourne this spring, including the Half Marathon on 4 March and Coastal Trail Running on 24 March, the Parkrun will offer entrants the chance for regular warm ups each week.
Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism and Leisure Cllr Neil Stanley said “We are absolutely delighted to hear about the fantastic response to the new Parkrun and it’s fantastic that so many people have already signed up to take part. We hope that the free weekly activity will prove a real hit with fitness fanatics as well as novice runners who are looking to get fit in the new year. Eastbourne has some brilliant open spaces, perfect for sporting activities and events, and January is a great time to take on a new challenge!”
The Parkrun is aimed at runners of all paces and abilities and is free to take part in but runners must register at the website before 6pm on Friday. Runners will be sent a personalised barcode when they register and must bring this with them on the day. They will be emailed their results each week, making it easy to track progress.
Organisers are also encouraging the participants to share their experiences and photos on the Parkrun website, which will be updated each week and meet at the Toby Carvery after the run for teas and coffees and to chat about the event.
Other sporting events coming up this spring include the Eastbourne Half Marathon, expected to attract more than 1,000 entrants for the 13-mile challenge that takes in a round route from Princes Park, along the seafront and through Sovereign Harbour Marina. Raising more than £100,000 for local charities, entries for this year’s event are now open.
For a sporting event across more challenging terrain, the Coastal Trail Running returns to Eastbourne for its second year on Saturday 24 March. Entrants can enjoy running along one of Britain’s most iconic coastal landscapes with the route taking in the famous Seven Sisters and Beachy Head over stunning rolling downland.
With further sporting events coming up later in 2012, including the Eastbourne Cycling Festival in May and the return of the popular Beachy Head Marathon on Saturday 27 October, Eastbourne promises a bumper year of sporting action in the year of the 2012 Games.
For more information on the Parkrun visit the website and to find out what else is on in Eastbourne go to VisitEastbourne's website or call 0871 663 0031.
