Saturday 14th July 2012 saw the inaugural Riverside Parkrun take place around the Riverside park in Chester Le Street
The event supported by the Esh Charitable Trust and Durham County Cricket Foundation saw almost 200 people take part in the free 5km timed run.
The free run is open to people of all ages and running abilities, from Olympians to children and families, to those who just want to take part in some physical activity and takes place at the Riverside park every Saturday morning at 9am.
Brian Manning, Chief Executive, of Esh Group which runs the Esh Charitable Trust said, “Parkrun is a great event, it’s really taken off all over the country, and I’m very pleased we now have our own in Chester le Street. The first event was a great success; it was great to see so many people taking part from around the region.”
Richard Hopper, Foundation Manager at Durham County Cricket Foundation said;
“We’re very proud to be supporting this new parkrun event so close to the home of first class cricket in the North East. I dusted off my trainers and I really enjoyed taking part. It’s great for anyone that wants to complete the course using personal goals, or as part of a more serious training programme. Or even just to meet people in your local community and improve your fitness.”
Founded in 2004, parkrun is a free safe and easy event and is now an international event with Riverside parkrun the 11th to be launched in the North East to add to the list of existing; Newcastle, Sunderland, Durham, Gateshead, Sedgefield, Whitley Bay, Tees Barrage, Redcar, Albert Park and Stewart Park, Middlebrough.
In total there are over 11,000 parkrun events in the UK and to register yourplace at a parkrun event simply click on the following link www.parkrun.org.uk and complete the registration information.
The Esh Charitable Trust have been a valuable partner of the Durham County Cricket Foundation, as the Trust aims to utilise the Esh Groups resources to engage in communities and educate young people in the area.
Durham County Cricket Foundation was formed in summer 2009 with activities taking place across Durham, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Teesside and Cumbria. The Foundation has already worked with over 20,000 people delivering over 5,000 hours activity, working with 250 schools and 170 sports clubs.
The Foundation’s work is divided into five ‘pillars of activity’; Education, Grassroots Sport, Health, Social Cohesion and Club Development. Each programme uses the power of sport to provide inspiration, motivation and to raise self-esteem amongst local communities.
For more information on the Foundation please click on the following link:
http://www.durhamccc.co.uk/pages/durham-county-cricket-foundation/