Saturday 5 September saw the special Covid-19 safe time trial format Brightlingsea Jog Walk Run get underway with the first group of participants providing very positive feedback about the new course and format.

First away from the Bateman’s Tower start point was Rotary District Governor Keith Brownlie and his family who opted to walk and use the version of the route instructions that included local places of interest. Before starting Keith presented Brightlingsea Rotary Club’s Barbara Grimwood with a club pennant.

This was the family’s first visit to Brightlingsea and it proved to be a great introduction with Keith commenting “A walk in the sunshine showed Brighlingsea at its very best.Well done to the Rotary Club and best wishes to Essex and Herts Air Ambulance.”

Despite taking their time and pausing regularly to enjoy the views and read about the places of interest, Keith and his wife Clare and daughter Fiona completed the course in 1 hour and 40 minutes.

The first runner to complete the course was Richard Newman, who will run the course two more times between now and Sunday 13 September – the equivalent of a half marathon, raising funds for both Essex Air Ambulance and the Royal Brompton Hospital, who performed life saving open heart surgery on his son last year. The second runner to take the challenge was Stuart Phillips with a finish time of 33 minutes and 47seconds.

After the opening day the top three results for the runners are first Stuart Phillips, second Bev Hunter with a time of 39 minutes 44 seconds and third Richard Newman. The feedback on the new course has all been very positive with everyone enjoying the mixture of harbour and town views, footpaths and roadways, flat going, some gentle inclines and just a few steps. The walkers are also enjoying the chance to find out about some of the interesting places and characters of the town.

Brightlingsea Jog Walk Run continues until Sunday 13 September with participants able to complete the course between 9am and 5.30pm daily (please note that some elements of the course are only accessible during that time window). To receive the course instructions please enter online and you will be emailed full details. Entry costs £5 for adults, £3 for juniors and is free for children under 11. All proceeds go to the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance.