Running, conversation and doughnuts: The group bringing people together in Avenham Park

Runners outside Holy Grounds coffee and doughnut shop in Preston. Image credit Emilie Mwanza

Two Lancashire businesses have teamed up to bring the community together through social, all-ability 5K runs at Avenham Park.

The runs are led by Flow Collective, a new business that describe themselves as ‘Outdoor movement magic’.

The events which take place monthly at the park near to Preston city centre, are then followed by a meet-up at neighbouring coffee and doughnut store, Holy Grounds.

Rebecca Newman, co-founder of Flow Collective, started the business with her friend Oakley Hardwick.

Ms Newman said: ‘’We both love the outdoors and fitness and wanted to create something which incorporated the two and build a bit of community around social fitness.’’

She added: ‘’If you are thinking about coming but you’re unsure, just know that it’s a really open, friendly, and inclusive space for all fitness abilities.’’

Runners in Avenham Park at Flow Collective x Holy Grounds 5K event. Image credit: Emilie Mwanza

Ms Newman and Ms Hardwick have both been advertising the events on the Flow Collective Instagram page.

They emphasise that the running is not the most important part of the events and have said that the most valuable benefit is the social environment and the connections that are made.

Since they started, they have run events in both January and February and are soon planning to announce details for the next one via social media.

They encourage everyone to come along, dogs and children included, to do something good for their body and mind outdoors on a Sunday.

Shannon Bradley, 28, from Preston said: ‘’I’m just getting into running, especially the 5K, I feel like they’re achievable even though they put me through my paces.

‘’It’s nice to have something to do, especially with the drinking culture in the north of England, a lot of the time if you meet your friends you’re going out for drinks.’’

You can follow Flow Collective on Instagram to keep up to date with all their upcoming events.

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