Hundreds drawn to track

Donna Fraser, World Championships 400m bronze medallist and member of the Board of The London Marathon Charitable Trust, officially opened the renamed London Marathon Athletics Track – Finsbury Park in June 2018 following a grant of £608,000 from the Trust. Donna said: “Everyone involved has worked really hard to create an inspiring place and welcoming atmosphere, so it’s wonderful to see local adults and school children getting excited to give sport a go and reaping the benefits of physical activity.”

London Heathside is a friendly community athletics club that warmly welcomes runners and athletes of all standards and ages. It is run entirely by volunteers. Chairman Jerry Odlin said: “Finsbury Park now has a running track that is not only attracting top-rate athletes but is also drawing hundreds of children and adults from all over north London. Already, London Heathside Athletics has witnessed widespread positive impacts of the project. There has been a complete culture shift," Odlin said. "Our members are able to train more technically and have gone on to achieve outstanding results.

“In April our women’s team became the England and British Champions at the 2018 Virgin Money London Marathon and last month we hosted and won the Middlesex Young Athletes league match for the first time. The club is also growing as a result. We’re really establishing ourselves on the athletics circuit in London. Most importantly, more and more people are getting involved in an inspiring sports partnership and are feeling the physical and mental benefits of activity.”

Could your local community benefit? Find out how to apply for a grant from The London Marathon Charitable Trust.