Virtual Newark Half-Marathon 2024 takes place as organisers plan for return of in person road race in 2025
It was all smiles as the Virtual Newark Half Marathon took place over the weekend (August 10 and 11) .
After major roadworks and closures along the usual route forced race organisers to cancel this year’s event, the decision was made to still give people the opportunity to participate, but remotely.
Across two days, keen athletes, or those new to running were able to complete the half-marathon in their own time and from wherever they liked — “whether on the treadmill, out on the street, or even on holiday”, the organisers said.
A small group of runners gathered in Sconce and Devon Park on Sunday morning to complete the 13.1 mile run in blazing heat.
Among them were supporters and race organisers Peter Davis, Ernie Clarke, and Cathy Clarke.
Ernie said: “We had around 40 people signed up for this year’s event, but we’re happy.
“We usually have hundreds take part, coming from all across the country, but we knew without the full event it wasn’t going to be as popular.
“What we really wanted was to make sure that we kept Newark Half-Marathon in the limelight, to keep people interested after we were forced to cancel, and hopefully put on a really good race next year.
Although smaller than in previous years, the organisers still wanted participants to have the same satisfaction of completing the run.
A competition was organised to design a special finishers medal which would be given to everyone that took part.
The contest was won by 10-year-old Anna Harrison, from Newark, who has completed over 130 junior park runs and hopes to take part in the Newark Half-Marathon for real once she is old enough.
As an eager artist, her medal’s design takes inspiration from the River Trent, with water flowing down the centre, which is flanked by chequered flag to symbolise a race finishing line.
Anna’s dad, Ben, was one of those who took part in the virtual event and was proud to receive the medal designed by his daughter.
He said: “I really love the design, so when Anna won that really motivated me to run it so I could get a medal for her.
“I ran all the way from Elston to Newark and finished the final three miles as part of the regular park run here at Sconce and Devon Park.”
Now, planning is already under way for the 2025 event and organisers hope the run returns bigger and better than ever.
Three potential routes have been drawn up, working in cooperation with local organisations including the Middlebeck development and Newark and Sherwood District Council.
The idea of the finishing line returning to Newark Market Place is also being explored, but the plans are still in the early stages, and the highways authority will have final say on approval.
