Local Runners Take Part In Woodside Link 5K Fun Run
Local Runners Take Part In Woodside Link 5K Fun Run
The M1 – A5 Woodside Link road isn’t due to open until early 2017 but today (Sunday 11th December) saw local running groups from across Bedfordshire take to the freshly laid tarmac for an early morning 5K fun run to mark the end of construction of the £38m project.
The fun run took place on a stretch of the new Link road close to the Balfour Beatty Site office on Sundon Road, Houghton Regis, and was the idea of the local running group, Leighton Fun Runners, Championship Secretary, Martin Addrison, who said “This is a great opportunity for runners because it’s a very flat, new tarmac road, without any traffic or interference at all. It’s a perfect opportunity to do a 5K run and I’m sure we’ll get some very good times today.”
“It’s very nice to be one of the first to use the road and we’d like to thank Balfour Beatty who apparently had industrial sweepers out yesterday to clear all the mud off so it’s a nice shiny new road surface for us, we’re very lucky.”
Club Secretary, Claire Amos said “It is an out of the norm experience and feels like quite an achievement and it helps put the club on the map” She added “But I am looking forward to the road opening. I work in Luton so I will be using the road when it opens”
The event was also in aid of East Anglian Air Ambulance with each participating runner donating to the charity. Martin said “We raise money throughout the year at various events and usually end up with a couple of thousand pounds to give to charity so this will add to that. We like to donate to a charity with a local link and each year we have a democratic selection process and EAAA was chosen this year as it’s such a good charity.”
Keeping in the Christmas spirit, and ensuring the FUN remained in fun run, Claire dressed in an inflatable Santa costume for the run and organised a Mannequin Challenge on the starting line.
First across the finish line was Simon Coombes of Leighton Buzzard Athletics Club with a time of just 16 minutes and 22 Seconds. He said “ I really enjoyed it. It was a great course to run, open and flat, and a great way to start a Sunday morning”
Todays fun run was the second event to take place on the new road this weekend to mark the end of construction. On Saturday the public were invited onto the road for the first time to take a closer look as a Cycling Celebration was held in Houghton Regis. The free event was a great success with hundreds of local residents turning up to enjoy family entertainment, cycling races, an extreme mountain bike stunt show and live music.
The A5/M1 and Woodside Link roads are due to open at the beginning of 2017. Benefits include:
Direct link from Porz Avenue roundabout to the new M1 junction 11a.
Making it easier to do business in and around the area.
Helping to create new jobs.
Taking HGV’s away from town centres.
Improving air quality.
More new homes.
Thinking of taking up running? Leighton Fun Runners could be just the group for you.
Championship Secretary, Martin Addrison says
“Leighton Fun Runners is a great club to join. It’s a sociable, friendly and fun club and at last count we had 210 members. One thing we do which is particularly good for anyone looking to start running is a ‘Couch To 5K’. We’ve got a course starting in January and anyone interested can find details on our website. If you’re a couch potato, give us three months of your time and we’ll have you running at 5K and more importantly you’ll enjoy it.”
For more information visit their website
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Local Runners Take Part In Woodside Link 5K Fun Run
Local Runners Take Part In Woodside Link 5K Fun Run