How you can do a double parkrun at New Year and get 2020 off to a running start

Organisers of parkruns in Hartlepool and East Durham have revealed plans for two 5k runs in one day – and it’s the only time in the year that this double dose of 5ks happens.

Both are on New Year’s Day and runners can try the Cotsford Field parkrun in Horden at 9am.

And for those who still have plenty of stamina left, there’s a chance to try the Hartlepool parkrun at 10.30am on the same day. It starts at its usual meeting point at Maritime Avenue.

Angela Lawlor, the Hartlepool event director, said: “New Year’s Day is the only day when people can register to do two parkruns in the same day.

“Last year, we had some people who really got into the spirit of it and got dressed up in fancy dress and it was a great success, so we are going to do it again this year and we have our fingers crossed for good weather.”

Hartlepool’s parkrun has an average turnout of 130 people each week.

Angela said: “The numbers have gone down slightly in December because it is the Christmas party season and we do expect it to drop off a bit.

“But we think the numbers will go back up again in January because people will make their New Year resolutions and want to get straight into it.”

Parkrun is a 5km race which starts out from Hartlepool Marina,and follows a route towards Seaton Carew and back.

Parkrun is an initiative which encourages people to run 5 kilometres at 9am on a Saturday, on accurately measured routes, and has proved a runaway success with scores of events around the country and others springing up overseas.

A team of marshals help you to get under way, follow the right course and record your time.

Angela added: “Not everyone runs the course as some people will walk it and that is absolutely fine.”

For those wanting to find out more about parkrun in Hartlepool, visit the website at https://www.parkrun.org.uk/hartlepool.