A brand new parkrun has launched at Flint Castle, giving runners across North Wales, Merseyside and Cheshire a striking new coastal route to enjoy. The Flint Castle parkrun has already proved hugely popular - just two events in and a total of 585 people have crossed the finish line, with 250 participants taking part in the inaugural run on Saturday 10 January.

Set along the Wales Coast Path, the course offers an open and scenic setting with sweeping views across the Dee Estuary and Flint Castle providing a dramatic historic backdrop. The route is an out and back course on a mixture of permanent paths and trail paths, running around Flint Dock and onto Flint Foreshore. It is mostly flat but includes some narrow sections, making it accessible while still requiring careful organisation.

Organisers say the launch marked the culmination of months of planning and preparation, and the first event ran smoothly thanks to the dedication of volunteers and strong local support. Special thanks were also extended to Flint Town Football Club for providing toilet facilities and opening its café after the run, giving participants the chance to relax and socialise.

With numbers growing quickly, organisers are already thinking ahead to ensure the event remains safe and sustainable. They say they have been overwhelmed by positive feedback from those who attended the opening run, but note that the start area sits on the edge of Flint town and is quite narrow. As a result, the team is keen to manage participant numbers carefully in the early weeks.

Organisers said they must realistically consider the impact of much larger crowds and the safety of both participants and members of the public who use the area during parkrun time and added: "We would ask that 'tourists' maybe think about waiting a few weeks and let the core and volunteer team bed into this event."

If you'd like to know more, visit the Flint Castle parkrun website.

Image: Flint Castle parkrun Facebook