At Active Essex, we know that creating active communities starts with people, places and partners coming together around a shared goal. When local spaces are brought to life and communities are given opportunities to move more, incredible things can happen.
That is exactly what we saw at the first-ever Omnia Community RunFest in Rayleigh, held last month on Sunday 12th July.
For one day, local roads, parks, and community spaces became part of something bigger, creating opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to get active, connect with others and experience their local area in a new way. What began as an ambitious idea, quickly grew into a celebration of movement, wellbeing and community spirit.
At the heart of the event was King George V Playing Fields; a valuable local green space that became much more than a venue. It became a place where families came together, neighbours connected, children completed their first organised run, and local organisations engaged directly with residents. Alongside the running events, a vibrant community festival showcased a range of health and wellbeing services, highlighting the wealth of support and opportunities already available within the local community.
The response was overwhelming. Nearly 800 runners aged between 5 and 74 took part across the 2.5k, 5km and 10km events, exceeding expectations and demonstrating the appetite for inclusive, local opportunities to be active.
Importantly, the impact extended far beyond the finish line.
Feedback from participants showed the positive difference the event made, with 89% saying they felt happier after taking part, 80% feeling inspired to stay active and 63% reporting a stronger sense of connection to their community. These findings reinforce the important role that local parks, green spaces and community-led events can play in supporting physical and mental wellbeing, while helping to create stronger, resilient, and better-connected communities.
For Active Essex, Omnia Community RunFest Rayleigh is a great example of the power of a place-based approach in action. By working collaboratively with local partners and making the most of community assets, it created meaningful opportunities for people to move more, connect with one another and feel a greater sense of belonging.
After all, lasting change often starts with a simple idea: bringing people together in the places that matter most to them.
Bash Mahmood, Relationship Development Officer, Active Essex commented; “It was inspiring to see so many people experiencing their local environment in a different way, whether that was taking part in their first organised run, volunteering, supporting friends and family, or connecting with local wellbeing organisations. Community RunFest showed how the spaces on our doorstep can become powerful assets for improving health, strengthening community connections and helping people feel they belong.”
