Supporters of a community-led project to build an athletics track in Sedgefield will take on the Virtual Virgin London Marathon (VVLM) at the weekend to raise funds for the initiative. Among the runners who will be fundraising for the East Durham Community Athletics Track (EDCAT) are current and former members of Sedgefield Harriers, including a founder of the ‘home’ club and participants from as far afield as the Czech Republic and Australia.

Sedgefield Harrier David Bentley will represent the club and EDCAT on the streets of London, and has been training hard in his bid to complete the event in under 2:50. Among the EDCAT runners in the VVLM will be two relay teams and eight individuals, including Jo James, who was secretary of Sedgefield Harriers at the time the track project was originally launched a decade ago, and who has since emigrated to Australia.

Another VVLM runner for EDCAT will be Michael Pyle, who was born in Sedgefield and currently resides in Prague. Michael is still a member of the Harriers and is pleased to lend his support, he said: “My passion for running came from joining my local club Sedgefield Harriers, and this provided me with the chance to pitch myself against others. Just imagine what a running track on the doorstep would do in terms of providing the next generation with the opportunity to emulate and experience the athletics they see on TV!”

Other runners supporting EDCAT on Sunday include Judith Porter, Diane Baines and Doreen Huxley, long-term supporters of the track project; Clair Walker, a Harrier who will be taking part in her first marathon; Jonathan Wallace, a long-time member of the Harriers and a member of the EDCAT steering group; and Ean Parsons, chair of the EDCAT steering group and a founding member of the Harriers.

Ean will visit a number of other North East tracks as he covers the 26.2 miles. His route will highlight the lack of facilities and track time currently available to clubs in the area, especially to those that will be served by EDCAT.

Ean commented: “Looking back through the decades, you can see how talented athletes in the North East like Steve Cram were able to reach their potential because they had access to good local facilities. 

“The East Durham Community Athletics Track offers a golden opportunity to find and nurture future athletics superstars in Sedgefield and the surrounding area, but beyond that it will offer invaluable pathways into the sport for anyone, at whatever level they participate.”

EDCAT, as located on a site at Sedgefield NETPark, received overwhelming backing in public consultation earlier in the year and has strong support from the North East athletics community. The planning application is currently being considered by Durham County Council and the project team is well on the way to raising the funds needed to build the facility.

More information can be found here. 

Image: Mike Wood