Pictures John Hopkins
AN estimated 6,000 runners took to the streets of Warrington today (Sunday) for the annual RunThrough Running Festival – a world-first event which offered participants the chance to take part in a closed road, chip-timed event for free.
Runners of all ages and abilities took part in the event aimed at increasing participation by making it accessible to all to help improve physical and mental health.
The weather provided near-perfect running conditions for those taking part in the half-marathon and 10k events. There was also a 1k event for children.
Mayor Cllr. Steve Wright warming up with participants – Picture John Hopkins
Warrington Running Festival is organised by RunThrough Events, the largest running events company in the UK holding 215 events with 200,000 individual runners entering an event this year.
The Warrington Running Festival is supported by the RunThrough Foundation and Warrington Borough Council. The aim of the event is to increase participation and provide unprecedented opportunities to access sport in light of the physical, mental and social health benefits it brings. Furthermore, a minimum of 20% of places (6000 runner capacity) being prioritised for individuals from low-income areas within Warrington.
Warming up on the town hall lawn
Warrington native Ben Green, Co-Founder and Director of RunThrough Events, commented ahead of the event: “It is brilliant for me to be able to bring this first of its kind event to my home town of Warrington. Having personally seen the massive health and social benefits of running both for myself and for so many runners who have taken part in our events, to know that we are working to further action this in Warrington fills me with immense pride. Running is one of the easiest sports to take up, all you need is a pair of trainers. However, the cost of entering an official event is certainly still a barrier to some, hence the creation of this free event with prioritised places for those from disadvantaged areas.”
Warrington Borough Council as an official partner of the event fully supports the work being done by RunThrough and the RunThrough Foundation to improve the health of individuals in Warrington and beyond through running. As outlined in the WBC Health & Wellbeing Strategy there is a wealth of evidence that shows that increasing physical activity has the potential to improve the physical and mental health and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities. By achieving our vision of a Warrington where more people move more, more often, we can reduce obesity, improve our wellbeing and become more socially connected. These are the positive pillars of running that RunThrough has long been bringing to people through its events but now is proud to be innovating and revolutionising the running and mass participation industries even further through this world-first event.
Full list of reults can be found by CLICKING HERE
Congratulations to everyone who took part in the @RunThroughUK Warrington Running Festival today! Big thank you to all the organisers, volunteers, pacers, race angels, medics and to @WarringtonMayor for waving us all off.
10k in the bag today for me too 🏅 pic.twitter.com/zUk07BJw4t
— Charlotte Nichols (@charlotte2153) September 24, 2023
