Active Suffolk are delighted to have been able to support junior parkrun to launch a new route for children to get involved with at Ravenswood Community Primary School!

The inaugural parkrun took place on Sunday 13^th August and was enjoyed by several children and existing members of the fantastic parkrun community.

Those attending junior parkrun are encouraged to complete the course in whichever way feels most comfortable for them, they can run, walk or jog. The whole point of the event is just to have fun and enjoy the benefits of being physically active, whatever the pace.

The event takes place every Sunday at 9am and is completely free! All you have to do is register for your parkrun barcode (once you have this, you can just take it along to every parkrun event you go to). You can register here.

Event Director for the new Ravenswood route, Gary Manning said:

"It's great to have another junior parkrun in Ipswich. Hopefully, this will provide an entry level access to a regular sporting event for youngsters of all abilities and aspirations."

With Active Suffolk providing 50% of the launch costs for the route and with herself also being a Suffolk Event Ambassador for parkrun UK, Linda Dorset, Project Officer for Community Sport and Physical Activity said:

"We are elated to welcome Gary and the team to the parkrun family. It's fantastic that they are able to offer a free, non-competitive entry to physical activity to the children and families within the Ravenswood and Gainsborough area (and beyond). We have had a fantastic support from the school, Suffolk County Council and Active Suffolk and would like to thank them. I'm excited to see this new community grow and welcome families across the area to take part."

Helen Kent, Head Teacher at Ravenswood Community Primary School, said:

"We are delighted to host junior parkrun at Ravenswood Community Primary School. Our children are actively involved in the daily mile, and we see this as a free weekend activity to boost fitness and wellbeing for our local community and beyond. It is great seeing our beautiful outdoor space being used and encourage you to come along and take part. The volunteers are so encouraging, such an inclusive activity and a great way to meet new faces."

Cllr Andrew Reid, Suffolk County Council Cabinet Member for Public Health and Public Protection, said

"Suffolk County Council and Public Health are committed to supporting and encouraging young people and their families to be active and junior parkrun is a fantastic way to help achieve this. We know that by establishing active habits at a young age it will support a positive lifelong relationship with physical activity and deliver all the associated benefits that being active can provide. Working with partners, we are delighted to have played a part in establishing what is the 9^th junior parkrun in Suffolk, which I am sure will prove to be an invaluable asset for the local community."