“I can almost remember when I had my 10th Birthday. Something about “you’re getting really big now” from parents or somebody a lot older! We could well say the same thing about Worcester City Runs. 10 years and getting bigger every year, with 2024 the largest ever with over 5,000 taking part in one of the events over the weekend, which is fantastic.
From year one we knew we could keep coming back because the City is so welcoming and the Runs are both challenging and picturesque in a way that many other places would struggle to match. The first time I came to work out where we might want to run, I arrived on a chilly January morning back in 2014. The swans were swimming where I was told the path normally was but that didn’t put us off as we could see the incredible potential for a special event. With brilliant support from the City Council and other partners the Run quickly established itself as a fixture in the local and regional sporting calendar and now we look forward to it every year. The atmosphere generated by both the runners and the spectators is phenomenal and although it’s a little tricky to get a Half Marathon and 10km course operating simultaneously in the City Centre, we know that helps to generate a lot of support for everyone taking part. It lifts my spirits every time to see so many people of all ages and abilities enjoying their running and if we have helped just a few to take it up as a lifestyle option then we are very happy.
Worcestershire County Council are also keen to see a healthier population but we need to help people be inspired to make a start, and that’s why events like Paula Radcliffe’s Families on Track add a perfect stepping stone opportunity to perhaps one day doing the 10km and even onto the Half Marathon!
Let’s hope we can celebrate many more Birthdays for the Worcester City Runs and each year it continues to grow in stature and reputation due to the wonderful folk of Worcester and beyond, who have made it such a successful event! Thank you!”
