Ipswich parkrun is becoming one of the fastest Olympic legacy projects in Suffolk, organisers said today.

The event ran off with “Project of the Year” at the County Sports Awards ceremony in recognition of its success of increasing participation within different groups of society and creating new links between organisations.

Ipswich parkrun is managed by a core team of six volunteers, headed by Event Director Rory Marriott, who collected the award. He said: “If it wasn’t for the runners and volunteers, Ipswich parkrun wouldn’t be the very proud owner of a shiny cup. So, congratulations to everyone who makes Ipswich park run into a community, something that I am so immensely proud to be involved with. I am incredibly proud to be a member of the Ipswich parkrun core team and winning tonight at the Suffolk Sports Award was the icing on the cake.”

Starting in September 2012, in just over a year the weekly free 5km event has hosted 60 runs in Ipswich parks reaching 1,581 runners who have completed 7,587 collective runs with an average attendance of 127 each week. A cumulative run time of 3,474 hours and 37,935km has been achieved since September 2012 at the Ipswich park run. Families, friends, clubs, young, older and couples etc can run, walk or shuffle around the route at the pace they wish or can, under no pressure whatsoever.

Whilst regular and accomplished runners do take part they are not seen as elite, just part of the parkrun community often providing an inspiration to others imparting their knowledge and experience over post run refreshments.

The dedication of the Ipswich parkrun team maintains the free weekly community parkrun throughout the year, which include Christmas Day and New Year’s Day this year as additional bonus events.

More information: Adam Keer, Sports Development Officer, Ipswich Borough Council, 01473 433513

Issued by the IBC press office, tel: 01473 432035

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Natalie Chaplin