Success as 200 take part in town's new run

MORE than 200 people put on their racing shoes to take part in a new run.
Fareham Park Run at Cams Hall EstateFareham Park Run at Cams Hall Estate
Fareham Park Run at Cams Hall Estate

Volunteers put on a parkrun at Cams Hall Estate in Fareham for the first time on Saturday morning.

Crossing the finish line first was Lachlan Wellington, 14, completing the 5km in an impressive 16mins 53secs.

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The youngster, from Fareham, said having the new course meant he did not have to travel to Havant, Lee-on-the-Solent, Southsea or Netley, previously the closest parkrun events.

The City of Portsmouth runner said: ‘It’s more local than other parkruns. I was having to go to Havant and Netley, and it’s quite a long drive whereas now I can run it in less time than we can drive to the others.’

He took part with his dad Neil, but left him around 10 minutes behind.

Lachlan’s proud mum Rachel Wellington, 47, said: ‘It’s something the all families can do together at any age.’

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The 5km run will start at 9am each Saturday and uses the Hampshire County Council Easy Access Trail.

David Castle, 44, of Stubbington, took part in the run and came eighth with a time of 18mins 50secs.

David, editorial director of Men’s Running magazine, said: ‘It’s always great to support a new parkrun.

‘For a long time the area has been devoid of one that we can do without having to travel.

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‘Now that we’re spoilt for choice with Lee and Fareham, with two very different courses as well, we can now have a very different experience to what you would have at Lee.

‘It’s well-organised, reasonably flat, a bit muddy.

‘It’s a great atmosphere, I will certainly come back and do it again.’

Organisers rely on volunteers to help run the race.

Julie Salt, race director, said: ‘We’ve got a fantastic team. We’re all volunteers so everybody has given their time to volunteer to make it happen.’

Children aged from four can take part in the race. There is no upper age limit.

For more information and to register, see parkrun.org.uk/fareham