On their marks for official running track launch

16 November 2016

Since the London 2012 Olympic Games, Southwark has been working on an Olympic Legacy track to help inspire young and potential athletes in the borough. The Southwark Park Athletics Track, which is being run by Everyone Active, opened for training sessions at the end of September. It also became home to London City Athletics Club this month.

On Tuesday 15 November, young athletes from the club joined Cllr Maisie Anderson, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Parks and Leisure at Southwark Council, and special guests London 2012 400m athlete Conrad Williams and Team GB Olympic Coach and former 110m hurdler Lloyd Cowan MBE, for the official opening event.

Cllr Maisie Anderson, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Parks and Leisure said, “I am delighted to be opening our brand new athletics track in Southwark Park this month. It has taken a lot of hard work to get here and whether it’s for athletics training and competitions or regular exercise sessions, I look forward to seeing the track being put to good use.

"This track is for the whole community and its completion demonstrates that we remain committed to giving Southwark an Olympic Legacy of which we can all be really proud."

The track is currently open three days a week while the adjoining athletics pavilion is refurbished as phase two of the overall project. Opening hours are Tuesday and Thursday evenings for club training sessions, and Saturday mornings for the general public. Both the track and forthcoming athletics pavilion are planned to open seven days a week from next year.

Sarah Ridley, Chief Grants Officer for The London Marathon Charitable Trust, said: "The Trust was set up alongside the London Marathon to support projects that inspire people to lead a more active lifestyle.  More than one in four people in England do less than 30 minutes of physical activity a week. We are pleased to have provided a major grant for the refurbishment of Southwark Park Athletics Track, which will host programmes that will encourage people of all ages and abilities in the community to get off the couch and to get active in their local area."

Sport England property director, Charles Johnston, said: "Our Inspired Facilities fund is a helping hand to thousands of community sports projects across the country.  No club is immune to wear and tear, and this fund recognises the tremendous work they do in helping local people keep active. I am delighted that thanks to the National Lottery we have been able to provide Southwark Park Athletics Track with £145k to help deliver this fantastic track."

Keep up to date with progress by checking the web page

Page last updated: 22 November 2016