Royal Navy Parkrun on HMS Queen Elizabeth sees sailors battle it out
A FLIGHT deck in the middle of the North Sea was the unusual scene for a popular Parkrun running event.
Portsmouth-based HMS Queen Elizabeth hosted her first Parkrun at the weekend – with 143 members of her crew signing up to take part on a windy day.
The ship has been at sea for weeks having completed operational sea training but was transformed with sailors donning sports gear when undertaking the five-kilometre run.
Organiser of the event, officer-under-training Midshipman Katie Synge-Curtis said: ‘After 10 weeks at sea I thought introducing some friendly competition and fresh air would help people along before we begin the final stretch home.
‘Hopefully it will inspire some of them to attend their local Parkrun when we get home and Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.’
Runners completed 11 laps around the deck with the fastest time achieved by an officer cadet, who registered 17 minutes 50 seconds.