Organisers of a highly popular fun run that has helped fund major improvements to a local park and trail are calling for people to lace up their trainers and sign up to the Saturday (25 April) race in advance.

The Blackwater Trail 5k Park Run in Newmarket Play Area (Stornoway) is a fundraising event for the local playpark, and will take place on Saturday (April 25) at 10:30 am. There are snacks and refreshments promised for the end of the run.

To help the success of the event, participants are being asked to sign up ahead of the run, if this is not possible however, runners can register on the day at Newmarket Playpark from 9:30 am, 

A spokesperson for the Newmarket Gateway Trust that organises the run explaining why signing up ahead makes a difference, they said: “If you can, please register and pay in advance — it really helps things run smoothly on the day and means we can make sure there’s plenty snacks and refreshments to go around for everyone.

The Newmarket Gateway Trust is a voluntary community-led committee responsible for the management, maintenance and ongoing development of the Newmarket Playpark and the walkway linking Newmarket to Tong.

In recent years, the fun run has helped the Trust has to successfully make improvements to the Newmarket playpark including the installation of a toilet and baby changing facility, the development of multi-use and multi-ability play equipment to ensure accessibility for all users, and the construction of new bridges within the park and along the walkway. More recently, infrastructure improvements have included the development of a car park and an accessible pathway, significantly improving ease of access, the trust says.

This is the first ever 5k fundraiser for the Trust, joining the many fundraising events they organises throughout the year. They also host an annual Halloween event and participation in the Celtic Festival, where a funded food pod generates income through the sale of refreshments. All funds raised are reinvested directly into the upkeep and continued development of the park.

To sign up in advance visit the sign up form: or scan the QR code. Participants can stay up to date with preparations for the run on Newmarket play area and walk’s Facebook page.

Details in this article have been updated since being published.