Father Christmas is preparing to pull on his trainers and join young people at Wednesfield's popular junior parkrun this month.

He will be taking part in the 2km run around Wednesfield Park on Sunday 13 December, 2015 - before handing out goodies to the children and young people who join in.

The junior parkrun is a free, weekly fun run suitable for children and young people aged from 4 to 14. It starts at 8.45am every Sunday morning, with participants encouraged to run, jog or walk around the marshalled route for their own enjoyment and at their own pace. Their parents can also join in if they wish.

Event Director Liz Lister said: "We had had a great response to the new Wednesfield junior parkrun, with around 25 to 35 children and young people joining us at Wednesfield Park every Sunday morning.

"We're looking forward to inviting Father Christmas along to our event on 13 December, and would like to invite as many new runners as possible to join us for what promises to be a very special parkrun."

The Wednesfield junior parkrun was launched in August thanks to funding from the City of Wolverhampton Council's Public Health team and support from members of Wolverhampton and Bilston Athletics Club, who help to marshal the route.

Councillor Sandra Samuels, the council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "Improving the health and wellbeing of our young people is a key priority for the council and we are delighted with the success of the junior parkrun, which is proving to be both great fun and a fabulous form of exercise."

For more details about Wednesfield's junior parkrun - the next of which takes place this coming Sunday 6 December - please visit Type=links;Linkid=6523;Title=Wednesfield Junior Parkrun;Target=_blank; or log on to the Type=links;Linkid=6524;Title=Facebook;Target=_blank; page.

Adults and the over 14s can take part in the Wolverhampton parkrun, which takes place at West Park every Saturday at 9am.

  • released: Monday 30 November, 2015