Registration opens for free Tamworth Castle 5k festival fun run

Calling all serious runners, fun runners, walkers, plodders and anyone who likes a challenge in the great outdoors – a brand new, free 5k fun run is taking place in Tamworth Castle Grounds this summer.

Registration is now open for the first Castle Summer Fest Fun Run, which will be held at 9am on Saturday, July 30, as part of the huge programme of events planned for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games celebrations.

Runners will be taken on a flat, three-lap route around the beautiful Castle Grounds at the foot of the ancient Tamworth Castle, taking in the historic Castle Bandstand, award-winning raised flower beds, the new Queen’s Jubilee Garden, the planet sculpture trail, river views and more. Anyone over the age of four can take part, but all under 11s need to be within arm’s reach of a parent or guardian at all times.

There will also be a 1k children’s fun run for ages four to 14, starting at 11am. Both events are free to enter and will include medals for finishers. The runs are being organised by Tamworth Borough Council with support from local running groups the Peel Road Runners and Michy’s Marvels.

Meeting points for both runs will be at the Castle Grounds Activity Centre (opposite the tennis courts) and participants should arrive 30 minutes before the start time.

While entry is free, anyone wishing to take part in either fun run needs to register online before July 24. Links can be found on the Castle Summer Fest webpage.

The Festival Fun Run is part of Castle Summer Fest – a three-week celebration of sport and entertainment in Tamworth Castle Grounds from July 22 to August 13.

This will include showing live coverage of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games on a large screen during the 10 days of the contest (July 28-August 8), after Tamworth was announced as a Festival Site for the Games – the only one in Staffordshire.

A huge variety of sport and entertainment activities has been planned for Castle Summer Fest, including demonstrations, taster sessions and free mass exercise classes led by sports clubs and organisations in the town.

The aim will be to showcase what’s available in the local area and encourage people to get active.

The Festival Fun Run will kickstart a bumper ‘Have a Go’ community day on July 30, which will also include displays and demonstrations from local groups, such as Tamworth Boxing which will be there with a boxing ring, plus other fun and entertainment.

Tamworth Borough Council will also be attempting to break the world record for the largest piggyback race – currently held by Scouts Australia involving 1,274 participants.

Cllr Robert Pritchard, Deputy Leader of Tamworth Borough Council, said: “Castle Summer Fest is the biggest event ever organised by Tamworth Borough Council and there’s so much going on during that three-week celebration of sport and entertainment.

“We’ve wanted to bring a 5k run to the Castle Grounds for a while now and this is the perfect opportunity to try it. In the spirit of getting people active as part of the Commonwealth Games theme, the event is going to be free to enter, and people of all fitness levels and abilities are invited to take part. Having a separate run for children means it will be something the whole family can get involved in.

“We’d warmly invite people to sign up for the run, or just come and cheer people on, and then join us for an afternoon of fun and games.”

Other attractions on the Castle Summer Fest line-up include world famous pop stars, the UK’s largest inflatable obstacle course, a ‘bingo rave’, silent disco, tribute shows, open air cinema and much more.

More information is available from the Tamworth Arts and Events website, where people can also download the full festival programme.