On your marks for new Lowestoft Parkrun event

A new parkrun being launched in Lowestoft later this month.The second trial event taking place on Lowestoft seafront.Picture: James Bass (Image: (C) Archant Norfolk 2015)

Aiming to emulate the success of its sister event in Gorleston, the Lowestoft Parkrun will officially begin on Saturday, October 31 at 9am.

The non-competitive event is run over a total of three miles and will start on the seafront outside the Hotel Hatfield.

The course then progresses past the Claremont Pier, down onto the lower promenade and past the beach huts and lifeguard station before climbing the steep hill near Cefas and back down towards the Hotel Hatfield.

Competitors will be required to complete two laps of the course against the clock.

The most easterly Parkrun will become the latest in around 400 across the country and has been organised by Rob Fawcett at Access Community Trust. With over 15 years of experience working in sports health and fitness, Mr Fawcett says he is ready for the main event after a number of trial runs that have helped with the learning process.

'The Lowestoft Parkrun is all about getting people active in a fun way without cost implications,' he said.

'It is completely safe and it's open to everyone.

'We felt there was a need to bring Parkrun to Lowestoft to look after people's physical and mental health.'

Organisers of new event, which has taken a planning period of around 18 months, are also on the lookout for volunteers and marshals to provide encouragement and advice to the runners.

Mr Fawcett has also urged runners to 'make the most of our beautiful coastline' describing how this was the most accessible route, even though it is not in a park setting as suggested by the event name.

'People might look at Normanston Park as a potential route, but runners would get bored running three miles round there and we had other restrictions to consider.

'If there is anyone interested in community engagement, or if people want to come along and give encouragement, it would be fantastic.

'We've been brilliantly helped by the Gorleston team, who have been kind and supportive along with being highly encouraging of having a sister Parkrun on their doorstep.

'This is the initial period and I would urge the public to be patient with us- we are not going to be brilliant straight away and we need an embedding period.'

Runners are advised to arrive promptly and bring their own drink with them.

Children can participate if they are accompanied by an adult and in extreme weather conditions, it will be the decision of the event director as to whether the run will go ahead.

It is easy to register your place to take part in the newest running event on the east coast.

Runners are required to register just once on the Parkrun website, where they will be issued with a barcode that can be printed off.

When the barcode is brought to each event, digital scanners provide a time that will be uploaded online.

If you forget your barcode, then a result will not be recorded.

It is free to run in each event, and organisers have stressed it is a 'race against the clock' with the aim of improving times each week.

Visit: www.parkrun.org.uk/register

Mr Fawcett would like to thank both Waveney District Council and Suffolk Coastal District Council, as well as Clare Henwood at Sentinel Leisure Trust and all the volunteers and runners that have helped with the trial runs to kick-start the new initiative.

For more information visit: www.parkrun.org.uk/lowestoft

Are you launching a new project in Lowestoft? Email: joe.randlesome@archant.co.uk