A FUN, free event will take place on Father’s Day, Sunday 16 June, in Stoke on Trent.
The Trent Valley Way Relay is open to anyone who would like to walk, run or jog through the city and find out more about the Trent Valley Way, a long-distance walking route which will follows the river Trent from source to sea.
Three relay legs will take place through the city. The baton will be handed over at Hanley Park, the Bet365 Stadium and World of Wedgwood, with free family activities for all also on offer from 11am-1pm at the Bet365 Stadium.
The event has been organised by local rivers charity Trent Rivers Trust, in conjunction with Running Out of Time, a national relay event that will see the baton passed from Ben Nevis to Big Ben, calling for action on climate change.
Ruth Needham from Trent Rivers Trust said:
At Trent Rivers Trust, we want to connect people to their local river and are working in Stoke City Council to improve the Trent Valley Way through the city by adding in way markers, creating circular walking routes and raising awareness of how you can follow the Trent valley through Stoke, even though you can’t always see the river as it makes its way through the city!
All three legs of the relay are free to enter and open to all, but booking is required. Runners will set out on the first leg, of about 8km, from Endon Road close to the River Trent in Norton Green at 9am, and arrive at the bridge crossing the canal in Hanley Park at around 10am for the second leg. There, they will hand over to a group of walkers who will take the baton on a 4.5km route to the Bet365 Stadium. The walk will be led by Trent Rivers Trust staff, who will tell people more about the river in Stoke, signs of nature to look out for and how the Trent Valley Way in Stoke will join up with work the charity has already completed in Staffordshire and Derbyshire.
On arrival at the Bet365 Stadium at around 11.30, the baton will hang around for some photos before it is passed on to more runners, who will take it to the World of Wedgwood on a third, 6km leg, where a final handover will see it leave the city before it heads further south.
Dan Thompson from Running Out of Time said:
This is a great way to meet people, celebrate Father’s Day and do your bit to highlight climate change and the need for action. Anyone is welcome to run or walk any or all of the legs through Stoke. If you just want to walk one leg, the best leg to join will be from Hanley Park to the Bet365 Stadium.
We have been blown away by the support people have given our Running Out of Time relay in previous years, and we are really looking forward to bringing it to Stoke./blockquote>
Councillor Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said:
We’re delighted to have brought this investment into Stoke-on-Trent. We know how much people benefit from walking and running, and there are some lovely parts of our city to explore.
Now, thanks to the Trent Valley Way Relay and the work the Trent Rivers Trust is doing, more people will be able to discover the Trent Valley Way in our city.
Craig Chorlton, Business Development Manager of Stoke City Community Trust said:
We’re really pleased to be supporting this event, as Stoke City Community Trust, the club’s official charity. Anyone who wants to see the baton arrive at the Bet365 can also meet our mascot, Pottermus, and take part in some family activities from the Trent Rivers Trust. It should be a great day.
Olivia Thackstone from World of Wedgwood said:
Situated in the picturesque Staffordshire countryside, World of Wedgwood eagerly anticipates its involvement in the Trent Valley Way relay event. The Trent Valley Way will add an extra layer of charm and accessibility to the area and further weave our connection to the stunning landscape and the wider community, blending heritage with the joy of outdoor exploration.
If you are joining the relay at any point, please try to do so by public transport and note that parking is not provided for the relay. If you do drive, please park responsibly and considerately.
To find out more and book your place on the relay, see Running out of Time’s website. The legs to book on for the Trent Valley Way relay through Stoke are legs 62, 63 or 64.
For more information get in touch with vanessa@trentriverstrust.org
