The 3rd annual World’s Shortest Fun Run around the UK’s smallest park took place in Burntwood (Sunday September 9th) at Princes Park and scores of runners, many fun run first timers, of all ages (6 months to 84) all abilities (none to very little) plenty of fancy dress and zany costumes, dogs of all breeds and colours, babies aplenty too.
Kevin Wilson of organisers KP Events said the day was a roaring success; “It was a fantastic late summers day, the atmosphere was incredible, so much fun and miles of smiles on show. Our event partners Burntwood Town Council helped make it a great event and we’d like to make it an annual event and grow it and convince the Guinness Book of Records to recognise it as a proper World record attempt!”
Paul Griffin of organisers KP Events and Cllr Heather Tranter Deputy Leader of Burntwood Town Council visit Princes Park in Burntwood to prepare the smallest park in the U.K. for the forthcoming Worlds Shortest Fun Run (WSFR) at the venue on Sunday September 9th 12.30pm start.
Last held in 2016 the WSFR will once again attempt to set a world record with Guinness Book of Records and Paul of KP Events is once again to attract hundreds of local families, friends, pets and people of all ages to turn up and have a go at the 55 steps distance for the Council’s Charity of choice for 2018.
Staff from David Lloyd Fitness and Racquets Club in Lichfield will be to entertain the runners and spectators alike.
“At the last WSFR in 2016 the youngest runner was 3 months the oldest 93 which says everything about the event. People are in fancy dress, some do run, most walk, some dance round, some tumble round, some do it backwards, some crawl and it doesn’t matter at all how you do it just do it for the Town Council’s Chairman’s own charity good cause. Its actually completely bonkers! Elvis turned up, The Stig was there, lots of princesses and fairies with cricketers and dancers, dressed up pooches and too many fancy dress costumes to count!! It really is a bunch of fun with medals for all to commemorate the day.”
The World’s smallest park recognised by the Guinness Book of Records is Mills End Park in Portland Oregon USA and in 2016 a transatlantic spat broke out when Kevin from KP Events called Mills End Park a ‘gloried flowerpot’ and questioned Portland’s park status as a ‘park’ as it didn’t have a fence round it, didn’t have a bench and it couldn’t be walked round.
With tongues very firmly in it’s cheek Portland Parks Department countered by addressing Kevin’s questions directly and making their park a ‘real’ park. The resulting media interest went viral and global with the World picking up this ‘park wars’ skirmish across the Atlantic!
In 2018 Burntwood Town Council whose ‘patch’ Prince’s Park is situated in have had a replica of it made by a local community group made to the approximate dimensions of Mill’s End Park and it will be officially unveiled to the World on Sunday September 9th before the WSFR begins at 12.30pm.
Kevin explains the significance of the replica: “Our replica of Prince’s Park should now be seen as a rival to the title of World’s Smallest Park and it will be situated inside the UK’s smallest park on September 9th. How will Portland react? Lets see!” Watch this space!!!
Entry for the WSFR is £5 per adult (includes commemorative medal and goodie bag) £2.50 (children aged 4-15) and free for kids aged 3 and under.
People can register on the day and should contact paul@kpevents.net to register their interest with him.
ALL RUNNERS THAT HAVE ENTERED THE WORLDS SHORTEST FUN RUN AFTER THE 5TH SEPTEMBER WILL BE REQUIRED TO COLLECT THEIR RACE NUMBER ON SUNDAY FROM 12.30 ONWARDS
ALL RUNNERS THAT HAVE ENTERED THE WORLDS SHORTEST FUN RUN AFTER THE 5TH SEPTEMBER WILL BE REQUIRED TO COLLECT THEIR RACE NUMBER ON SUNDAY FROM 12.30 ONWARDS
UPDATE: People can now register on the day and should contact paul@kpevents.net to register their interest with him.
KP Events and their partners Burntwood Town Council are please to announce the 3rd staging of the World’s Shortest Fun Run on Sunday September 9th round the UK’s Smallest Park, Princes Park in Burntwood.
Previously held in 2013 and 2016, this a unique event that really does appeal to everybody of any ability, the youngest ‘runner’ was 3 months and the least youngest 93 at previous events.
All profits will be donated to Burntwood Town Council’s Charity for 2018.
It will take around 55 strides to get around Princes Park in approximately 25 seconds. Everyone who takes part could potentially be a world record holder! Medals to all finishers.
It is with much regret that KP Events have to inform you that Run, Heifer, Run! have made the decision to cancel the UK Events planned for the Summer of 2018. This is not a decision that has been taken lightly, and is due to unforeseen circumstance. KP Events and Run, Heifer, Run! Hope to work together again in the near future.
In line with KP Events terms & Conditions, you will be issued with a full refund in the next few days. This will be done through Regevent online entry system, and KP Events administration team. Payment will be retuned to the account or card that you paid with. KP Events administration team will only be in touch again if there are any issues with your refund.
Again KP Events would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused, and hope to see you at another one on their races.
1st male was Chris Sharp (391) Knowle & Dorridge RC 1:12:55, 2nd male Neil Laurenson (420) Black Pearl Joggers 1:14:27, 3rd male Jack Bristow (387) Knowle & Dorridge RC 1:18:59.
The 2019 Fradley 10K is now available to enter at the 2018 price for a limited time. Also if you are one of the first 10 entries then we will send you a free KP Events technical training t-shirt!
*** All online entries received on or after Sunday 1st April will be for race number collection on Sunday morning from our registration desk.
The second annual SOLIHULL HALF MARATHON takes place on Sunday April 8th 2018 10.30 a.m following on from the successful inaugural race in 2017. Sponsored by IM Properties. Continue reading →
