WALKERS were in pole position at Greenhead Park.

The new craze of Nordic walking has hit Huddersfield.

And the first training walk proved so popular, that the council will now be putting on twice as many sessions.

Around 40 beginners walked 5km around the park yesterday and their reasons included getting fit, losing weight and a new year’s resolution to get out more.

Doreen Hoyle retired from her role as a nursery nurse in the neo-natal unit at HRI in 2008 and was looking for a new adventure.

“I read about it in the paper and I thought I would just come along and give it a go because it sounded interesting,’’ she said.

“Any way to improve the fitness is a bonus.

“I go to the gym, but don’t really belong to any other fitness groups.

“I come with my friend, Jackie Ledger, but no doubt there will be a social aspect to this too.

“After doing the initial training session, we are really looking forward to getting out there and walking round the park.

“It has obviously proved popular as when I arrived here I met another woman I used to work with.

Nordic walking is fitness walking with specially designed poles.

It developed from an off-season ski-training activity to become a way of exercising year-round.

Helen Pearson and Pat Eddie are both in their early 60s and completed the 5km route.