A COUNTRY park in Wokingham will be hosting a running and stand-up paddle boarding (SUB) race later this year, which will be the first of its kind.

The SUPathlon race will take place at Dinton Pastures Country Park on Sunday, July 14 and will mix running and SUB. It is believed to be the first event of its kind in the UK.

It will be organised by Bracknell-based Barnes Fitness and will start with 1km of paddling on Black Swan Lake.

Participants will then complete a 5km run along the course, which is used for Dinton Pastures Summer races.

Ellie Barnes from Barnes Fitness, who has organised the race believes that the race is unique because it is the only one that mixes SUP with running.

She said: “We’re really excited to be bringing the SUPathlon to Dinton.

"There are a few races elsewhere in the UK linking standup-paddleboarding and cycling, or SUP, swimming and running, but as far as we’re aware we’re the first to stage an event just focusing on a SUP challenge followed by a run.

"The SUP course involves two laps of a 500m course, and we’ll have full on-water safety cover. It’s not a difficult course, but it’s also not for complete novices — we are asking that anyone wanting to take part in the race confirms they’ve had some SUP experience."

The race has already attracted a wide range of people from outside of the Wokingham borough.

Ellie added: “We’re already attracting entries from outside the immediate Wokingham area as well as from some of our regular Dinton runners who want to test themselves in a new context.”

Tanya Lee, the activity centre manager at Dinton Pastures believes the event is a great introduction to SUP.

She said: “We’re delighted to be hosting this new event which we hope will serve as a great introduction to Dinton Pastures as a centre for stand-up paddleboarding.

‘In the run-up to July, we’re offering SUP taster sessions every Saturday morning — ideal for anyone who wants to take part but has yet to try paddleboarding. We are also hosting two Paddleboard Proficiency Award full-day session.”

Entry costs £20 for participants with their own SUP boards and £25 for those who will want to hire a board and a paddle on the day from the water sports team.

The minimum age to enter is 15 and there will be commemorative medals for all participants.

Changing facilities with hot showers and refreshments will be available at the finish.

For more information about the park, visit: https://www.dinton-pastures.co.uk/.