FROM its humble beginnings in 2004, when 13 people went for a timed 5k run in a London park, the free to all parkrun phenomenon has now spread across the world with millions now taking part.

As well as Thornbury’s first race on Saturday, Eastville Park in the centre of Bristol had its first parkrun and both new events attracted over one thousand runners in total with a large number doing their first parkrun.

Thornbury Running Club were out in force to celebrate their local event and there were 22 club members amongst the 337 finishers as well as many volunteers, helping to make the first event a great success.

Thornbury Mayor and keen endurance athlete, Cllr Helen Harrison, set the runners on their way before completing the run herself – dressed in her mayoral robes to boot!

The runners of varying ages and abilities quickly spread out across the challenging Mundy Playing Fields course like one long hi-vis conga.

Thornbury RC’s Nick Williams could have been forgiven for missing it after competing in a 35 mile race the previous weekend.

However, he was up with the fastest runners from the start and was the third finisher in a very impressive 18:38 mins.

Lizzie Ormerod matched her husband’s achievement by finishing third female and 36th overall in 22:50 mins.

More Thornbury RC results from the day were Dylan Roberts 10th finisher in 20:18 mins, Andrew Darton 13th 20:36 mins and Rob Watkins 18th 21:18 mins. Jim Godden was back from injury in 26th 22:07 mins, Richard Philips 33rd 22:46 mins, Joanne Emerson 39th / 4th female 23:19 mins, Ross Phillips 42nd 23:41 mins and Stephen Hales 47th and 23:54 mins.

Hugh McPherson 87th 25:37 mins, Chris Foley 90th 25:50 mins, Colette Jackson 122nd 27:33 mins, Anthony Yates 125th 27:46 mins, David Palmer 134th 28:14 mins, Karen Carr 159th 29:03 mins, Richard Jackson 196th 31:55 mins, Nigel Hale 201st 32:19 mins, Richard Illingworth 225th 33:23 mins, Anne Palmer 236th 34:06 mins, Shona Howell 243rd 34:37 mins and Peter Blenkiron 268th 36:38 mins.

Thornbury RC’s Kevin Arnold ventured over the Severn Bridge into Wales for the parkrun at Rogiet which is near Caldicot, Monmouthshire, which he completed in 23:48 minutes.