Sunday 27th February saw a very welcome return to what has fast become one of everyone’s favourite local running events, The Friendly Frolic.
A very friendly, low pressure running event starting at the Bargemans pub in Newport made up of 5 predefined loops. The idea is to run one or run all day.……that’s entirely up to you.
The loops were of different distances and sent runners off in various directions. The longest loop of 11 miles going out towards Cowes on the cycle track with a trip along the seafront and then back to Newport down the main road.
You could also choose from an out and back from Newport to Cowes for a flat 7 miler, a nice little 4 mile loop taking in the ‘fragrant’ fresh air and everyone’s favourite climb up Stag Lane, a scenic 4.5 mile trot around to Island Harbour, or if it really took your fancy a 5.3 mile trek ascending the snowy heights of Mountjoy Mountain.
The Frolic is the perfect chance for runners from all over the island to come together, do some running have a natter.…… oh.…..and as it’s conveniently at the pub, stay for a drink , coffee, food, whatever suited……….and that’s exactly what they did!
But as well as being a fantastic social event and the chance to run with like minded running friends, it is also a charity fundraising event, so whilst there is no predetermined entry fee to the event, participants are asked to make donations in order to raise money for organiser and second claim member Glen Jones’s charity of choice, the NSPCC, a brilliant cause and one very close to Glens heart.
A grand total of 116 runners turned up on the morning and were queuing at the door to sign up and get going. Runners from virtually all of the islands different running communities got together on what was a perfect day for it, and by all accounts a fantastic day was had by all.
A whopping total of 1200 miles were clocked up by everyone that ran and most importantly the sum of the donations at the end of the day totalled an absolutely amazing £652.16.
We are truly blessed to have such an amazing running community on our little island. Well done to everyone that took part and so generously donated. ❤️
