SALISBURY’S popular parkrun has marked its 333rd edition.

The event, which has been running since 2015, has attracted more than 14,000 different runners since it launched.

More than 300 runners gathered for the milestone morning run around Churchill Gardens.
The regular group run starts at 9am every Saturday, come rain or shine, frost or snow.

Parkruns are popular all around the world. They take place on Saturday mornings and always over a 5km distance. The idea is that the runs are friendly, fun and free.

There are hundreds of parkruns organised around the UK, but only seven in Wiltshire and one in Salisbury.
Over the years, the 14,000 different runners in Salisbury have covered more than 600,000 kilometres altogether.

This was Salisbury’s 333rd parkrun and there were 322 striders, power-walkers, joggers and runners. They were of all ages, from eight to 80, with even a few infants in strollers pushed by energetic parents.

“We try to cater for everyone,” said Jef Hutchby, the event director. “We have locals, of course, and regularly have runners from as far away as Australia and North America. Some are fast elite runners, but most are here to keep fit and have fun.”

He paid tribute to the volunteers who turn up each week to help organise and steward the run.

“We could not exist without their help,” he said. “We have had 972 volunteers since the start in 2015 and between them they have volunteered 10,797 times.”

Register for the free run at parkrun.com and arrive in the park, where there is free parking, before the 9am start.

Mr Hutchby said: “There is no need to book a place, and there is always room for a few more runners.”