Who’d have thought running at 5:30am could be so much fun?
RUN 5.30, the early morning Italian 5k event that promotes an active lifestyle, saw hundreds of people take to the empty streets of Brighton
Last Friday, July 20, over 450 people ran, jogged and walked through the city centre and along the seafront after being waved off by Run 5.30 founder Sergio Bezzanti and Deputy Mayor Cllr Alex Phillips at 5.30am.
The aim of Run 5.30, which started in Italy ten years ago, is to promote a positive lifestyle centred on daily physical activity and healthy eating, proving that it’s easy to fit exercise into busy lives simply by waking up a little earlier.
Sergio Bezzanti, founder of Run 5.30, said: “After the very special welcome from the participants and local businesses in 2017, we decided to come back to Brighton to celebrate Run 5.30’s 10-year anniversary. The response has been fantastic; it’s been a wonderful event that brought the community together to enjoy some early morning exercise regardless of their ability. Everyone was full of energy and carried a big smile despite the early start. We loved it and we look forward to coming back in 2019”.
Participants enjoyed a closed road route through the Iconic South Lanes, and a locally sourced breakfast after finishing in the beautiful Royal Pavilion Gardens.
Sabrina Severi, nutritionist and the ‘mother’ of Run 5.30, explained about the importance of the final breakfast: “Eating well together with daily physical exercise is a perfect formula for a healthy lifestyle and that’s why we pay a lot of attention to the final refreshments. This year we sourced local produce: Delicious, fresh cherries from Kent and Organic pouring yogurt from Court Lodge Farm in Sussex. A simple, yet delicious breakfast full of nutrients to start the day in the best possible way.”
Run 5.30 raised almost £1,500 for Rockinghorse, the event’s official charity partner. All funds will be used to support the High Dependency Unit at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton. Everyone can still support Rockinghorse with a donation on the dedicated fundraising page.
Run 5.30 organisers are now working on the 2019 tour dates and Brighton is already confirmed for the UK.