Killing both birds with one stone is the parkrun, the modern-day phenomenon that has swept the nation and now occupies the weekly diary of hundreds of thousands of us.
It all started in 2004 when a group of 13 mates met to have a jog round their local park in Teddington, Greater London.
It ballooned into Parkrun, the collective name for more than 5,000 events that now take place every Saturday morning in 730 locations around the country.
Organised by local volunteers, all the runs are 5km in length, although they have different degrees of difficulty, and many routes follow picturesque surroundings.
The events are free and for everyone, whether you want to run, jog or walk. You can even take your dog (on a lead) and, at some venues, junior versions are set up for children, although under-11s must be accompanied by an adult.
If you fancy joining the parkrun craze in 2022, we’ve highlighted 11 of the best in and around the Mansfield and Ashfield area.
Please check the individual websites of each parkrun before you go along because some might have Covid-19 regulations in place.
5. Poolsbrook parkrun
Men, women, boys and girls all love it at the Poolsbrook parkrun, which takes place at Poolsbrook Country Park, near Chesterfield. There is a nearby Coffee Stop Cafe, where runners can grab a post-run cuppa and get a ten per cent discount if they show their parkrun registration barcode. Almost 200 runners flock to the park every Saturday to cover a course that mixes wide trails with grass. Photo: Submitted
6. Bestwood Village parkrun
The historic and picturesque Bestwood Country Park, just outside Hucknall, is the setting for this weekly 5K parkrun. About 100 people, of all ages, tackle the course, which is a mixture of gravel paths and forest trails, every Saturday and, so far, the best times have been clocked by Jimmy Kershaw for the men and Hannah Oldroyd for the women. Photo: Submitted
7. Rother Valley parkrun
Enjoyment is the name of the game at Rother Valley Country Park on Mansfield Road, near Sheffield. The course is a mixture of rolled limestone road, Tarmac paths and gravel paths, and attracts more than 220 runners, on average, every Saturday morning. Afterwards, many grab a drink in the nearby Stables cafe. Photo: Submitted
8. Gedling parkrun
It's not unusual for excited youngsters to join in the fun at the Gedling parkrun, which takes place at Gedling Country Park on Spring Lane in Mapperley, near Nottingham. About 140 people go along each week to tackle a course that is often muddy in the winter. Afterwards, The Willowbrook pub on nearby Main Road serves a warming a drink. Photo: Submitted