THERE WAS a sea of black and white at South Park on Saturday as Quakers Running Club held the first “club takeover” of the Darlington parkrun.

It was the first time since the event started in 2012 that members of one running club have undertaken all the volunteer roles, which include marshalling, timekeeping and recording the finishing positions. It also provided an excellent opportunity for the club to give something back to the local running community, and demonstrate to non-club runners that Running Clubs are both welcoming and inclusive places for runners of all abilities.

Despite it being a fairly chilly morning, 231 runners turned out for the 5km run around the park, 36 of whom were runners from the Quakers, all donning the distinctive black and white stripes seen regularly at races across the region. Finishers were also rewarded with cakes and other treats baked by members of the club.

Quakers Running Club meets every Tuesday and Thursday evenings. For more information about us visit the website: www.quakersrunningclub.org.uk 

For more information about the parkrun: http://www.parkrun.org.uk/darlingtonsouthpark/ 

Submitted by Rob Dent (photos by Karen Newton)