MORE than 100 children put on their running shoes for a town's first ever junior parkrun.
Burnham-on-Crouch hosted its first junior parkrun on Sunday, which got off to a flying start with 112 children taking on the challenge.
Youngsters from the town as well as a range of different nearby villages attended, with 75 of them saying it was their own first parkrun.
Town mayor Vanessa Bell cut the ribbon to launch the event alongside 30 volunteers who saw the junior parkrunners on their way.
Racers were cheered on by paw patrol mascot Marshall around the finish area.
Many parents also joined in running, jogging or walking with their children.
A spokesman for the Burnham Riverside junior parkrun core team said: “Many people have supported our project to set up a junior parkrun in Burnham.
“It’s been quite a journey and we are very grateful to everyone who has contributed along the way. Without this we would not have been able to proceed.”
Read more >>> First junior parkrun coming to Burnham this month (and parents can join in)
All children aged four to 14-years-old are welcome to join in no matter whether they run, jog or walk the 2km route.
The spokesman added: “The inaugural junior parkrun was a huge success and it's great that we have a new, free community event for children in Burnham promoting physical and mental health and wellbeing.
“It was a pleasure to watch the 112 young runners challenging themselves and hopefully developing a love for running.
“We are expecting the numbers to grow and grow each week as word spreads and hope we can encourage young people to try something new, help build up their confidence and meet new people.”
The team is always looking for new volunteers to join them in any of the events which is taking place in Riverside Park every Sunday at 9am.
It is free to join, participants should register online at parkrun.org.uk/register.
Runners can either print their barcode and bring it along, or have it handy on their phone. This will give them their timed run.
Photos provided by Burnham Riverside junior parkrun
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