Kentish Express Ashford & District
High-fives for runner Harry in his first race
A disabled boy completed his first ever parkrun alongside scores of other children at the weekend.
Harry Brown, aged six, has Down’s Syndrome, and when he was born his mum, Sarah Brown, was told by doctors that he might never be able to walk or talk.
But fleet-footed Harry, from South Ashford, was among the 94 runners to complete the 2km course at the weekly event at Victoria Park.
Mrs Brown said: “It was hard work getting him around, but it was lovely. He had so much support given by the volunteers and other children, it was wonderful.
“When he was born, we were told that he wouldn’t ever be able to walk or talk but he is doing both of those things.
“It was quite a bleak outlook for him to start with.
“He does have his problems and is not on par with other children but he has come a long way – it’s been quite a journey.
“We try to give him as much opportunities as our other children, so when he finished, I can’t put that moment into words. It was amazing.”
Meanwhile runners from the Kingsnorth and Park Farm Brownies group also took part in the event, which has been running every Sunday since October 2015.
Race director Andrew Smith said: “It was a really good day, though we fell just short of having our record attendance.
“The kids respond really well and after a few runs they understand the idea of setting new personal bests.
“It is exercise at the grassroots level and means they are not stuck indoors watching television or playing computer games.”
The junior parkrun starts at 9.30am every Sunday at Victoria Park.