Entries open for 5k Darlington road race
Entries are now open for a new 5k race taking place in Darlington on Sunday 3 August.
The race forms part of the popular Darlington 10k event, which also features a junior 3k race and family fun run.
Darlington Borough Council has introduced the shorter course to support more people to get involved with the annual running event, particularly those who lead more sedentary lives, individuals at the start of a fitness journey and people recovering from illness or injury.
The race is open to anyone aged 15 and over – entries cost £17.
Phil Haymer, race director, said: "Darlington 10k regularly attracts over 2,000 runners to the town, however we know that for some people, the scale of the challenge can be off putting. The new 5k option gives people who may be less confident in their running abilities the chance to take part and is a great stepping stone for people who want to build up to doing the longer run in the future. It's also a good goal for people who want to increase their activity levels to work towards as there's still time before the event to do the NHS couch to 5k training programme which is aimed at people who are new to running."
Cllr Matthew Roche, cabinet member for health and housing, said: "Nearly 20% of people living in Darlington are currently inactive and do not participate in any physical activity. The evidence shows that getting active reduces our risk of health conditions including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis and dementia. People who are active also report greater levels of happiness and life satisfaction and are less likely to feel anxious.
“We are committed to ensuring that everyone in Darlington can access appropriate opportunities for physical activity and the introduction of the 5K route to our well established 10k event is a fantastic way to encourage more people to get moving to support their long term health. It also will bring more people to the heart of the town centre to support local businesses and will help people to develop stronger connections with the local running community.”
People can sign up for the 5k, which takes place on Sunday 3 August, by following the booking link available from www.enjoydarlington.co.uk/event-info/darlington-10k. Information on how to sign up for other races, including the 10k, junior 3k and family fun run can also be found here as well as answers to frequently asked questions.