The Bromley Fun Run is a great way of keeping fit while enjoying yourself. It’s also become one of the biggest annual events in the borough. In the final part of a series of articles on the event, reporter MICHAEL PURTON looks at the many benefits of taking part.

EVENTS which bring the community together while giving people a chance to keep fit, achieve personal goals, bond with others and raise money for charity are rare.

So it is no surprise more than 500 people have already signed up for the Bromley Fun Run in Norman Park on April 10.

People are taking part in the 5k run and 2k family run or walk for a variety of reasons, and there are sure to be many more signing up for the challenge before the March 20 deadline.

Janine Barber from Swiss Cottage in London is taking part in the 5k run to challenge herself and raise money for charity Macmillan Cancer Support.

The 56-year-old said: “This is the first time I have taken part in a race like this, and I decided to do it to see if I can, to challenge myself.”

This year’s run takes place on Margaret Woodrow’s 78th birthday, and she says she will be there as a volunteer to bask in the “lovely atmosphere”.

The great grandmother of 10, who took part in the first run in 2009, will be handing out water and medals as well as working at an information stall giving out details about Bromley Mytime.

Mrs Woodrow, of Lockesley Drive, Orpington, said: “There’s a lot of community spirit. You get mums, dads, small children, older people. There are a lot of people joining in.”

Stephen Hollingdale, from Bickley, found he bonded with his sons when they all took part in the run.

The 60-year-old said: “It added an extra element to it [and] it provided internal family competition and it was something we could take part in together. ”

The run is organised by Active Bromley, a partnership between Bromley Council and leisure company Bromley Mytime which aims to increase participation in sport and physical activity across the borough.

Bromley Mytime’s head of communications, Brian Turpin, has been volunteering at the event since it began in 2009 and has seen all kinds of people take part.

He said: “We had a group of schoolgirls take part in their pyjamas one year. We’ve also had groups of people in their 80s finish the run.

“Last year there was a little lad who must have been seven or eight and when he got to the finishing line he just kept going because he loved it so much.”

Mr Turpin added: “A lot of people come to this thing with a bit of fear and trepidation, but there’s a great feeling of mutual help. There is a really good vibe about the event.”

He said: “When I see the delight on people’s faces as they cross the finishing line I am always struck by the sense of achievement they have.”

To sign up for the run, go to bromleyfunrun.co.uk