Stanley Park hosting special centenary parkrun event with historic medals

A special parkrun event will celebrate the centenary of Stanley Park – and it will include historic medals for participants.

There are weekly parkrun events at the Grade II listed park but this one will mark the 100-day countdown to the official Centenary Celebration Weekend later this year.

It is just one event marking the 100th anniversary of Stanley Park’s official opening back in 1926.

The celebratory parkrun event takes place on Saturday June 27 from 9am and is being jointly organised by park owners Blackpool Council, the Friends of Stanley Park and the organisers of the parkrun events.Parkrun is a free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Participants can walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate as they wish.

A spokesman for Blackpool Council said: “Join us as we mark the 100-day countdown to our official Centenary Celebration Weekend with a special edition of parkrun at Stanley Park.

“We are teaming up with the weekly event  with a number of limited-edition centenary medals available for participants.

“Parkrun is a fantastic opportunity for the whole community, regardless of age or ability, to come together, enjoy the outdoors and get active. Whether you run, jog, walk, everyone is welcome – and it’s completely free.”

Before participants arrive, they are asked make sure they have completed everything they need at: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/blackpool/

On the day, families can also bring the little ones along for a run about at the athletics arena at Stanley Park for a fun, family-friendly Toddle event.

Every child who takes part will receive a book and a medal, courtesy of the Friends group. They can drop in any time between 11:30am and 2:30pm and join in the fun.

Major celebrations – backed by the £500,000 investment by Blackpool Council – are being planned this year to mark the centenary year of the park.

There has already been major restoration works carried out in the park, including renovation of the Cocker Clock Tower.

They will include the special two-day centenary celebration is being planned for Friday October 2 and Saturday October 3 to ensure the town is able to make the most of the milestone, along with the other activities.

A steering group is already in place, which includes the Friends of Stanley Park, the focus of which is to put together a programme of events and attract investment in the physical infrastructure of the park in the lead up to the centenary date.

The park, which covers 390 acres, was officially opened on October 2 1926 by the 17th Earl of Derby.

Designed and built under the eye of Thomas Mawson, an eminent garden designer and landscape architect, it has often been called the jewel in Blackpool’s crown and has also attained national recognition and importance.