Castle Point Joggers celebrate 40 years of fun, fitness, and friendship

Castle Point Joggers kicked off a summer of events recently to commemorate their 40th year since they were established in 1975 by local runner, Alan Perkins - which makes them one of the oldest jogging clubs in existence and certainly the oldest in the area.

The club held a BBQ at the Barge Gladys on Benfleet Creek for members, friends and family which was preceded by a run around the Castle Point area of either 5 miles or 10 miles which took in all the familiar landmarks such as Hadleigh castle and the downs.

Club members were given free t-shirts in the club colours of Royal Blue to commemorate the occasion that featured a specially designed logo. The design was the result of a competition among the members to come up with the winning design and slogan. ‘Forty years of Fun, Fitness and Friendship’ was the winning slogan.

The celebrations will conclude in October with a dinner dance and a walk (jog) down memory lane with past and present members getting together at the Chalkwell Rooms.

The club Chairman, Mike Hayward commented, "We had a great day on Sunday, the sun shone and we were delighted to see so many turn out to show their support. Everyone looked great in their new 40th shirts too. In October for our more formal evening event we would like to invite as many of the original founders of the club along so if anyone can help us by tracking them down we would love to hear from them."

The club continues to go from strength to strength and is currently halfway through a programme to introduce new runners to the sport through its Run England initiative which has seen over 50 beginners sign up.

You can get in touch by email info@castlepointjoggers.co.uk or via their twitter page @runcpj or Facebook