A feel-good event celebrating the power of running in the recovery from addiction will take place for the seventh year.
The Well Bay 5K Recovery Run is on Saturday September 6 on Morecambe Promenade.
Runners will descend on the Prom to run a stunning coastal 5k route from Morecambe Sailing Club, in what is now recognised as the biggest recovery run in the north of England.
Some of them are experienced runners, while some have only started running since taking part in a 'Couch to 5K' programme held by Morecambe Community Runners, who hold runs on the Prom every Tuesday and Thursday evening, and many are running as part of their recovery from addiction.
The award-winning Morecambe Community Runners was set up by Stuart Nevin to help get people off their couches and into running.
Stuart himself is marking 15 years of sobriety in his recovery from addiction. He says running saved his life.
LISTEN to Stuart Nevin, Debbie Doody and Peter Jones from Morecambe Community Runners talking about the Bay 5K Recovery Run
"I find myself very blessed and fortunate," said Stuart.
"The beautiful thing for me on the day, is that we get (people) whose loved ones have been through the fire, and you see them on the day, cheering them on. It's like, they've got their son or daughter back.
"They are running because they are proud because they know their parents are watching them. I get quite tearful watching them because I know how powerful it is. On that day we are cementing foundations to rebuild that family, to help them rebuild their lives.
"It's powerful. We know something magic is happening.
"When you go there, you can feel the vibe and energy. People who've not run for years, people who never thought they'd run again, people who have given up, have a new lease of life.
"It means a lot."
Peter said: "It's a positive community, it becomes a perpetual change in terms of behaviour, and that's the biggest part of recovery. Once you start to run, you get endorphines, and if I'm addicted to endorphines rather than alcohol, I'll take that any day of the week.
"It's a huge positive environment. It would be great to see more people doing it.
"It's about celebration of running and what running does for you physically, emotionally and spiritually."
Debbie said: "We encourage each other. We're constantly looking out for each other. I was a runner many many years ago, and it's really built me up in confidence.
"You meet all different kinds of people and it pulls you together as a community. It's an amazing event and I want to be part of it. It's made a real difference to me."
MCR is a fully inclusive running group in the community for all ages and abilities, running beginners' Couch to 5K programmes.
The group has already helped hundreds of people, who thought they'd never be able to run, to achieve their goals. Some have gone on to run marathons and even further distances.
Recovery Run organisers The Well Communities is a lived experience recovery organisation helping people to overcome addictions of various sorts.
Registration on the day commences at 9.30am and the race starts at 11am. There will be a free Bay 5K T-shirt for the first 100 people to register, and finisher medals for the first 150 across the line.
You can register HERE. You don't have to be in recovery to participate, anyone can take part.
Read more: INTERVIEW: Annual Morecambe Promenade run will celebrate recovery from addiction - Beyond Radio
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