INTERNATIONALLY-acclaimed parkour group 3RUN have created a specialist indoor gym for people to practice the sport.

The new centre, in the Active Life Centre, in Stephenson Road, Houndmills, Basingstoke, will open today when a list of world-renowned freerunning stars are set to attend the launch.

The gym was designed by members of the Basingstoke-based group, and built with the help of a £100,000 grant from Sport England.

3RUN’s Chase Armitage, from Popley, Basingstoke, said the gym is the first of its kind in the UK.

“It is the UK’s first bespoke facility,” said Chase. “It is designed by freerunners, for freerunners. Even though we started on the streets, this is a good place to get a taste of freerunning and to find out what it is all about.”

The gym features a spring-loaded floor, and walls and bars for people to leap over. The centre will be formally launched today, and parkour athletes from Australia, Russia, and Germany are set to attend. The founder of the urban sport, Frenchman Sébastien Foucan, has also been invited.

The gym will be the base for 3RUN’s Evolution Academy which will offer classes and parkour-themed fitness sessions which the group hope will be a hit with people.

“Rather than just lifting weights, which so many people find boring, this is something different,” said 3RUN member Michael Wilson, 31, from Beggarwood, Basingstoke. “The classes, the new facility – there is nothing like this in Hampshire and it does put Basingstoke on the map.”

To find out more about the opening weekend and gym, go to www.3run.co.uk.