The weekly parkrun is a modern-day phenomenon which has swept the nation.
Every Saturday at 9am, people of all ages and abilities drag themselves out of bed to tackle a five-kilometre route – running, jogging or walking – at a venue nearby to help them keep fit and healthy.
It begain in 2004 when a group of 13 friends got together in their local park in Teddington, Greater London, and ballooned to such an extent that more than 2,000 parkruns now take place across 22 countries.
Several parkruns are staged in and around Mansfield and Ashfield and our photographer Jason Chadwick was out and about among the runners on Saturday when the Mansfield Parkrun took place at Manor Park Sports Complex, Kingsley Avenue, Mansfield Woodhouse.
Other runs nearby include Sherwood Pines, Brierley Forest and Clumber Park.
The fastest woman was Rebecca Sprowell, who was ninth overall in a time of 23:39.
Hayley Mason, race director, said: “It was rainy, but we still had a good turnout.
“Parkrun isn’t a race so placings are not important – the timings are more used for people to be able to keep track of their times and a lot of them like to try to beat their times week to week.
“I think the reason Parkrun is popular is because everyone is welcome.
“You can run, jog or walk which means it’s suitable for a range of people.
“If people don’t want to physically take part they can volunteer to help with the running of the event – in Mansfieldm a lot of our volunteers are non-runners, but they can still take part by volunteering.
“People should get involved as it’s a great way to spend a Saturday morning! You can use Parkrun to keep fit, get fit and meet new people! There is no pressure and no judgement, you go at your own pace.”
To volunteer, or for more information, email Hayley at [email protected]
