HUNDREDS of runners lined the streets of Barrow this weekend to take part in the inaugural Love Barrow Running Festival.

More than 700 runners took part in the festival on Sunday which consisted of a Mental Health Fun Run Mile and a 10K Road Race, all starting from Barrow Town Hall.

The event was organised by ‘Life Leisure Barrow Park’ in conjunction with Cumbria County Council, Barrow Borough Council, Barrow Integrated Community Care and local running groups.

Emma Broadbent, who is a Community Development Officer at Cumbria County Council, called the day ‘a great success for everyone involved’.

“Everyone’s come out in full force to support the event which is fantastic,” she said.

“For the festival’s first ever time, we’re all amazed by the turn out.

“We just want to say the biggest thank you to our sponsors, health an safety marshals and everyone who signed up.”

Manager of Life Leisure Barrow Park, Aidan Murphy, added: “One of the first things we committed to when we set up was community engagement and this seems like the perfect direction for that.

“The aim of the event is to get Barrow active in whatever ways we can.

“Ideally, we’d love for this to become an annual event which seems possible based on all the support we’ve received.”

The more challenging of the two events was the 10k Road Race which saw more than 350 participants run their way across Barrow.

David Fulford, 40, from Haverigg, came out in first position which he said ‘felt absolutely great’.

“I think it’s great they’ve started a 10k race in Barrow which everyone can get involved in,” he said.

“The support has been fantastic too, it seems a real family-friendly event.”

Tyga Steele, 15, was the first woman and junior home of the whole event.

She said: “I’m quite happy actually.

“I think it’s great to support a mental heath charity like Mind too.

“I hope it happens next year too.”