THE global phenomenon that is a parkrun is one step closer to coming to Melksham after the town council agreed in principle to back the scheme this month.

Melksham Without Parish Council agreed to pledge £1,000 towards the initiative on July 25 and now the town council has said it will contribute £500 too.

The Parkrun needs £3,000 to get off the ground, as well as 10 volunteers to run the event, four of whom need to be prepared to act as race directors.

Organiser Colin Goodhind, who is hoping to get £1,000 each from from the Melksham Area Board and the town council, said the King George Playing Field is likely to be Melsham parkrun’s focal point.

“The response from people towards this idea has been fantastic. We already have six very keen volunteers so we just need four more – it is a very exciting time,” said Mr Goodhind, chairman of the Melksham Community Area Partnership.

“Many very enthusiastic locals have said they want a parkrun closer to home and if this came together I know it would be a wonderful addition to the town.

“We are still working on finalising the start-up funding required, confirming to Parkrun HQ that we have the 10 volunteers and then the proverbial ball can really start rolling.”

Cllr Jon Hubbard was full of praise for Mr Goodhind’s almost single-handed efforts in making this venture possible.

“I think Colin has done a brilliant job and I will do whatever I can to convince the town council to get this up and running,” he said.

“This will be heard at the area board in September and hopefully that can be the final bit of funding to make this come to fruition.

“It would be amazing to have a parkrun in Melksham, the benefits would be enormous. Not just health wise, but the footfall you would get into the town after the event would likely increase too which is great for the local economy.

“I am really encouraged by the steps taken so far, the enthusiasm shown by people towards this and hopefully it is just a matter of time to get this going.”

The county’s closest parkruns to Melksham in Wiltshire are Southwick Country Park, Trowbridge, and in Monkton Park, Chippenham.