IT’S ready, set, go for a brand new weekly running event aimed at children.

A group of parents joined forces to raise the funds needed to hold a junior parkrun – and thanks to incredible support from the community, a date has been set for the first event.

The Weymouth junior parkrun will launch on Sunday, April 16 and is a 2km route around Lodmoor Country Park suitable for ages four to 14. Parents are welcome to accompany their children on the course, which starts and ends close to the pirate ship, but the route will be fully marshalled. 

Co-event director Lee Roberts said he is ‘really excited’ that the event is coming to Weymouth.

He was one of the parents who began fundraising for a junior parkrun after taking his own daughters, aged eight and five, to the Poole event. Weymouth hosts a 5km parkrun every Saturday, but the route is too long for many children to run regularly.

Mr Roberts is now encouraging as many parents as possible to sign their children up by visiting the website and registering their details to access a barcode. This can be printed off so children can keep track of their running times each week on the website. It’s completely free to sign up.

Mr Roberts stressed that the event is not competitive, and is all about children having fun and being active.

"We cannot wait to get started now. Junior parkrun is a great way for youngsters to make new friends whilst taking part in exercise in a fun, safe environment. 

"There is also an incentive scheme in place where runners are rewarded with wristbands and certificates when they have completed the equivalent of a half marathon (11 runs) and marathon (21 runs) so come on down and enjoy the fun."

He added: "We are always on the look out for extra volunteers, without whom the run wouldn’t be able take place, so if anybody would like to get involved please follow the link on our website."

Mr Roberts said he wanted to thank all the businesses and individuals who donated to a campaign to make the event possible.

The cost of setting up a new parkrun event is £6,000 – half of which is paid for by parkrun and half by the community. The costs cover initial training, insurance and equipment and once it is established, there are no ongoing costs, as the events are volunteer-led.

Mr Roberts thanked Egdon Heath Harriers, the Dorset Sole Sisters, Blacknoll Limited, Brookes Physio and ASM Systems – as well as Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, which not only donated funds but gave permission for the junior parkrun to be held at Lodmoor Country Park.

For information, visit www.parkrun.org.uk/weymouth-juniors or to register to take part, visit www.parkrun.org.uk/register