Wolverhampton runners celebrate anniversary of West Park event

The Parkrun is a weekly 5k run around West Park every Saturday.

As it does every week, the run started at 9am in the morning, with a group of dedicated volunteers having come earlier to set everything up.

But yesterday there were balloons and cake to celebrate the occasion.

The Wolverhampton Parkrun is part of an international Parkrun initiative, founded in London in 2004 by Paul Sinton-Hewitt CBE.

Parkrun events have been held in cities all over the country, and in 20 different countries around the world.

Since it has started, 10,856 different participants have taken part, covering a total distance of 432,858 kilometres in the process.

Some race competitively, others socially and for self-improvement, while some just walk it for leisure.

It is stressed that the Wolverhampton run is not a race, it is a social event, and after the run participants go for coffee and cakes together.

Lisa Eardly, the event director, regular runner and one of the run's core volunteers has talked about how it has helped people lose a lot of weight, overcome mental health issues, and even helped them through battling illnesses.

As part of the birthday celebrations past participants wrote on tags and put them on a special memory tree, writing how taking part in the runs have personally helped them.

"It's not a race, it's whatever you want it to be," she added.

"You're racing with yourself."

All participants are emailed their times after, and a bell is rung every time someone beats their personal best.

It started in 2013 with just over 100 runners, most of them race and club runners.

It is now more of an all-inclusive event, attracting four- to 85-year-olds of all capabilities - some do it on crutches and wheelchairs as well.

About 400 people now take part every week, with many regulars who take part every week since it started.

By Aradi Priyanto