More than 150 people took part in the first-ever Market Rasen 9-5k at Market Rasen Racecourse, with women making up around two-thirds of participants in a strong sign that the event’s inclusive approach helped encourage more people to get active.

The inclusive 5k challenge which took place on Wednesday (September 16) was organised by Curly’s Athletes and supported by West Lindsey District Council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, bringing workplace teams, community groups and individuals together for an evening of physical activity and fun.

Participants were encouraged to complete the distance at their own pace, whether walking, jogging, running or taking part as part of a team. The route took participants around the grounds of Market Rasen Racecourse, with finishers receiving a medal before joining a post-event celebration involving pizza and cake.

The event was designed to bring workplace teams together, provide a shared challenge and make physical activity more accessible.

Councillors Stephen Bunney and Moira Westley (left) were among the runners at the 9-5k event.

placeholder image — Councillors Stephen Bunney and Moira Westley (left) were among the runners at the 9-5k event.

The 9-5k followed the Viking 1,2,3,4,5k in Gainsborough, another Curly’s Athletes event supported by West Lindsey District Council. That event encouraged people living with long-term health conditions to become more active by offering a range of distances that participants could wheel, walk, jog or run.

Teams and individuals took part from organisations across Lincolnshire and beyond, including Active Lincolnshire, Burton & Dyson Solicitors, Cote Hill Cheese, Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, Duncan & Toplis, Lincolnshire Community Health Services, Market Rasen Surgery, Market Rasen Town Council, North Lincolnshire Council and West Lindsey District Council.

Among those taking part were Hannah and Helen from the intensive care unit at Lincoln Hospital, who used the event to support Sands, the bereavement charity.

Helen said: “We are running 100km this month for Sands and trying to raise as much money as possible. It’s nice to have local events and things close by, especially with pizza involved.”

The Knapton Wright team at the racecourse event..

Members of the Simply Agility team also completed the route.

Speaking at the finish, Christine said: “I’m absolutely over the moon, because I never thought I’d do it.”

Jonathan Frary, owner of Curly’s Athletes, said: “We wanted to focus on workplaces. What better way to celebrate being an active workplace than coming together, walking, jogging and running at the lovely Market Rasen Racecourse?

“For us, the main thing is seeing businesses doing something together that will actively help physical health and wellbeing. It has been tremendous.”

Some of the runners at the Workplace 9-5k event.

Coun Moira Westley, Deputy Leader of West Lindsey District Council and ward member for Market Rasen, took part alongside fellow ward member Coun Stephen Bunney.

Coun Westley said: “The event has gone really well and the atmosphere has been great. One of the most encouraging things about the evening was seeing 106 women take part alongside 54 men. At many running events the balance is often the other way around, so this shows that creating welcoming, inclusive opportunities can help more people feel confident about getting active.”

Coun Bunney added: “I’ve really enjoyed seeing people from different workplaces and communities come together and get active.”