More than 200 runners have taken part in Bath’s first Skyline parkrun – and it’s hoped that the event will become a weekly fixture in the future.
The Bath Skyline parkrun is a unique partnership between the Council, parkrun, the National Trust and Bath Half Marathon Fund, with the activation fee of £3,000 being jointly funded by a grant from the Council’s ‘Try Active’ programme and the Bath Half Marathon Fund.
The new weekly running event aims to get everyone more active and exercising outdoors.
People of all ages are welcomed to run or walk against the clock every Saturday at 9am.
The five-kilometre route uses part of the Bath Skyline and takes in the impressive views across Bath.
The first event on Claverton Down on Saturday 4th October was organised and marshalled by 25 volunteers from the local community.
It finished at ‘Free Fields’, North Road / Claverton Down Road opposite Shaft Road.
Councillor David Dixon (Lib-Dem, Oldfield), The Council’s Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, was involved with a trial run of the route said: “Saturday’s Parkrun was a fantastic community event, despite the inclement weather, and everyone who took part enjoyed themselves.
“Helen has done a fantastic job putting on this event and gaining support from a variety of organisations and landowners. I am looking forward to making the Bath Skyline Parkrun a regular visit for myself and my family.”
Event Director and Lead volunteer Helen Conner said: “Everyone runs or walks for their own enjoyment and all are welcome whatever their experience or pace.
“The Bath Skyline parkrun happens largely because of our fantastic volunteers, who are led by a small group of parkrun enthusiasts.
“They make sure the event is set up and packed away each week, the results published, the finish tokens sorted, event reports written and so much more.
“Every week we grab a post-parkrun coffee at a refreshments van provided by the National Trust. We’re very friendly!”
Helen has spent over 18 months working to get this project off the ground, including many hours meeting with landowners, obtaining funding, recruiting other volunteers and training.
She was also instrumental in obtaining support from the BMI Bath Clinic which is providing parking, the use of the pavilion and toilets each week, and Relish Running which has donated additional equipment.
Volunteer parkrun ambassador Geoff Keogh, who has provided numerous hours of support and invaluable advice for the team, said: ‘We’re very excited to be bringing parkrun to Bath.
The city has a great running tradition and Bath Skyline is a welcome addition to the parkrun family.
“We’re very grateful to Bath & North East Somerset Council, National Trust and Bath Half Marathon Fund for their financial and material support and to everyone who’s helped make this wonderful event happen.”
Andrew Taylor, Race Director of the Vitality Bath Half said: “Thanks to runners in the annual Bath Half Marathon, we were able to contribute towards making the Bath Skyline parkrun possible, to provide greater all-year-round running opportunities in the heart of our community.
“The Bath Half Marathon Fund provides a great opportunity for race participants to give directly to projects for local residents, as a thank you for their support each year.
“The money in the fund is generated by donations from runners at point of entry and is distributed through Quartet by grants to local community projects.”
The National Trust has invested over £60,000 to upgrade paths and install gates to make the whole Bath skyline more accessible and its support has been invaluable in making the parkrun event happen.
Robert Holden, Acting General Manager, Bath National Trust, said: “The inaugural Bath Skyline parkrun was hugely successful with over 200 people coming together in our first autumnal downpour to celebrate the health and enjoyment of the great outdoors.
“Our new circular path around Claverton Down is now open year-round enabling access for runners and the less able and pushchair users alike.”
For more information and to register go to www.parkrun.org.uk/register/.