Jo Haywood laces up her trainers to find out about a new jogging tour of York

Some York tourists like to spend their days on the upper deck of an open-top bus chugging from sight to sight. Others like to trundle along under horse-power. But there’s also a new breed of visitor taking over the snickleways of this historic city – and this breed has a need for speed.

York on the Run is an innovative new way for more active visitors to up the pace of their sightseeing tour by joining a guide for a jog round the city and surrounding areas.

Led by knowledgeable individuals with a passion for health and history, the runs are tailored to people’s abilities, which means they can walk as well as jog if they need to.

This interesting new venture has been set up by Chris Acton, a former GP practice manager, who now leads runs around the city starting from the west door of the minster every morning at 8am, except Fridays, and every evening at 5pm, except Wednesdays.

Groups of three of more can also arrange their own runs at other times to suit their schedule.

‘York has so much to see within a reasonable distance,’ he said. ‘It’s a great way of orientating yourself at the beginning of your holiday. You get to know where all the interesting hidden bits of the city are so you can come back later at a more leisurely pace.’

Whether you are reasonably fit or not quite as fit you’d like, these accompanied jogs are a great way of getting the lay of the land in double-quick time while chatting informally with a guide in the know.

Among the sites on route are Kings Manor, York Art Gallery, Dean’s Park, the National Railway Museum, York Brewery, Merchant Adventurers’ Hall, the River Ouse, Newgate Market, Clifford’s Tower, Castle Museum, Millennium Bridge and don’t forget York Racecourse.

‘Our routes are always changing, depending on what people want to see, so it’s not unusual for visitors to come back out with us again during their holiday,’ said Chris, who is about to launch a London on the Run franchise and has his sights set on further 2012 launches in Durham and Darlington.

A guided jog with York on the Run costs �10 for adults and �6 for 12-17 year olds, including a drink and a well-deserved treat at the end of each run. Discounts are available for families or groups of three or more, and if booking for two or more runs at the same time.

For further information, call Chris Acton on 07966 315770,email cj.1@me.com or visit yorkontherun.com.

The print version of this article appeared in the January 2012 issue of Yorkshire Life

We can deliver a copy direct to your door – order online here