Record-breaking turnout at Salisbury's parkrun

Published by Henrietta Creasey at 4:29pm 13th January 2019. (Updated at 9:14am 14th January 2019)

More than 600 people completed the event on Saturday, the biggest ever number of participants since it began in 2015.

The start of the New Year always inspires many of us to put on our trainers and this January has seen a real boom!

Yesterday (12th January) saw scores of first timers trying out the friendly 5k event held in Churchill Gardens.

A staggering 610 people crossed the line, beating the previous best turnout of 592 in April 2017.

Organisers have been keen to cater for lots of newbies by offering a number of volunteers people can follow to complete the course, for example a power-walker and a 1 minute jog then a 1 minute run.

Salisbury parkun 2019 — There was plenty of encouragement for first timers to Salisbury parkrun.

Jo Maslen is a newcomer and told Spire FM how much she enjoyed it:

"I’ve been meaning to start park running for months - as part of getting fit for the Stars Appeal Trek this spring. But what finally did it was the offer of a lift so I knew I wouldn’t arrive alone. I needn’t have worried - if you tag along with all the Lycra heading for Churchill Gardens you soon get chatting. There are loads of familiar faces and everyone is so friendly and encouraging. They make it really easy for first timers like me with pacers - I did 1min jog 1 min walk the first week and was amazed how soon I got to the finish line. I’ve been twice now and knocked 17 secs off my time!"

WANT A CHALLENGE? STICK WITH A PACER!

For regular runners and those trying to get new PBs pacers were provided by the ever supportive CoSARC (City of Salisbury Athletics and Running Club).

The group tend to vary between odd and even numbers.