Stockport 10k run and ‘frog dash’ to raise money for homeless charity

Stockport’s army of decorated frogs have been given a special role at the town’s BIG 10k run which takes place in September.

The colourful amphibians, which have been in place on the streets of Stockport for the past two months, will mark the route for the ‘Frog Dash’, a special charity treasure trail organised for families.

The dash will take place on Sunday 15th September alongside the BIG Stockport Run, which starts and finishes in St Petersgate. 

Children of all ages are being encouraged to dress up as a frog for the event (although this is not compulsory) and follow a map around the giant decorated frogs, which were placed by some of the town’s historic landmarks as part of The Giant Leap Frog Art Trail, organised by Totally Stockport to engage visitors with the town centre.

The frogs, sponsored by leading corporate organisations in the town, symbolize Stockport’s “giant leap forward” – the town’s proposed  £1 billion regeneration plan. 

Totally Stockport’s BID Manager, Paul Taylor who has led on the Giant Leap project, said: “Stockport’s Giant Leap Frog Art Trail has been an amazing success. It’s created a massive buzz and since we launched the art trail of 19 giant frogs, sponsored by local businesses, the number of visitors to the town centre has increased by more than 20 per cent.

“Stockport’s 10k and family fun run always attracts huge crowds and we are delighted to be partnering with the team at Life Leisure to bring you the frog dash. This will be a family fun event with the frog dash following the trail around some of the frogs and the first three winners will be presented with a gold, silver and bronze miniature frog.”

Laura Mylotte, head of marketing for Life Leisure, which runs the annual event, said: “We are really excited to partner with Totally Stockport for this year’s event. It’s great to be able to add another event for families in our ever-changing town centre.

“Children and families will need to follow a treasure map to find out which frog they need to head to next – so it will take brains as well as brawn. It’s suitable for all ages and it would be great to see children dressing up as frogs for the occasion”.  

Life Leisure is a charitable trust and not for profit social enterprise company, which manages 13 sports and leisure facilities in and around Stockport and Barrow.

The frogs will be hopping off at the end of September, so event organisers hope the event will also be a great opportunity for people who haven’t had chance to visit them yet. 

Money raised from the event will go to the homeless charity The Wellspring. Entries cost £5 and include entry into the Big Stockport Family Fun Run (which kicks off at 10.15am) and the Frog Dash (which starts at 11.30am).

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