A new parkrun has launched in Nottingham, with the first event at Victoria Embankment taking place on Saturday (14 March) and attracting some 564 finishers who took on the scenic riverside route along the banks of the River Trent.

The launch featured a special send off from local running legend Richard Whitehead, who offered motivational words to participants before the run began. The event has been two years in the making, with volunteers, local organisations and Nottingham City Council working together to bring the new parkrun to the city.

One of the organisers said the team had long felt the location would be perfect for the weekly event: “This parkrun has taken two years in the making and in my more than 20 years of running I always wondered why this place didn’t have one. I wonder that no more now. We have the privilege of being the custodians of an event in a beautiful, historic and much loved location right in the centre of Nottingham.”

Runners enjoyed clear skies for the inaugural event, with the River Trent providing a picturesque backdrop as the new parkrun burst into life. The average finish time for the first event was 30:17 and after crossing the finish line, many participants continued the community atmosphere by gathering for coffee at Cafe Romano, located close to the finish area.

The course takes runners on two and a half laps of the tarmac paths around Victoria Embankment. Organisers say the largely flat course makes it suitable for experienced runners as well as those trying parkrun for the first time.

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

Image: Victoria Embankment parkrun Facebook