There was fun with a capital ‘F’ on Sunday (15 January) at Etruria Valley as runners and walkers celebrated the launch of a new link road in Stoke-on-Trent. Cold, wet conditions didn’t dampen their enthusiasm...

This event replaced the Santa Dash due to have taken place on Sunday 18 December but was postponed as a result of bad weather.

Families and individuals gathered on a Sunday morning to have the honour of christening the new road for the first time at the Etruria Valley Fun Run. A juggler, bubble machine and confetti cannons made for a lively atmosphere as people got ready to run/jog/walk 2K (1.2 miles) to mark the occasion, hosted by Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

They listened to a speech by the Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, Cllr Faisal Hussain followed by an energetic warm up before making their way to the start line. The Lord Mayor cut the ribbon to the cheers of everyone around him then a 10 second countdown and off they went at 10.30am through a swirl of confetti with people smiling and waving on their way.

This route took them from the canal bridge, along Shelton Boulevard then over the roundabout and the giant metal sculpture of a spitfire appearing to soar above them. Then it was across the link road where they turned around and headed back towards the finish where the Lord Mayor waited to present everyone with a medal as they crossed the line.

The Etruria Valley Link Road opens to traffic on Monday 23 January.

Image courtesy of GO Team Running Club.