A RUNNING festival taking place in Barrow has been applauded by councillors.

The  Love Barrow event on October 6 is centred around the town centre but extends to Barrow Park, Abbey Road, Greengate Street and Duke Street.

It features a 10k running race, a measured mile, a mental health mile, various entertainment and a #BeWellFest.

Organised by Cumbria County Council, Life Leisure,  Barrow Borough Council and local running clubs, it aims to “encourage everyone to lead a healthy lifestyle.”

It follows figures from the county council which suggest 62 percent of adults in the town are classed as “obese,” while one in four is at risk of mental health issues.

The festival aims to showcase the range of physical activities available to people locally – regardless of their background, ability or age – with encouragement to get fit to help bodies and minds.

Emma Broadbent, a county council community development officer, gave an update of the event to Barrow Local Committee.

She said the festival was a “legacy” of the Tour of Britain and had similarities with the 1970s Chas Kendall road race.

Mrs Broadbent said: “We have tried to make it as inclusive as possible with something for everybody. It is about taking part and participation. The mental health mile has been taking place once a month in the park and has been really successful. It is reaching those people who aren’t runners to come together to walk it, jog it, walk the dog or push the pram and have a brew afterwards.”

Mrs Broadbent received a round of applause from councillors after she was recognised as an “unsung hero” in the recent county council staff awards.

Cllr Anne Burns called it “top class” and extended her thanks to the whole team involved. “What you have done is really good and congratulations,” said the Labour member for Hindpool.

Cllr Ben Shirley said the team were “trailblazers,” who are “putting Barrow on the map,” while Cllr Helen Wall said it was good that Barrow was being “talked up” and “not down”.

Committee chairman Kevin Hamilton said the plans were “absolutely fantastic” and showed the success of the Tour of Britain in encouraging events to Barrow, and inspiring people into a healthier lifestyle.