IT’S the running craze which will probably never die out – at least, certainly not in Colchester.

The parkrun, which started 20 years ago in south London, has become a huge running movement which gets thousands of runners out of bed and onto the start line every Saturday morning.

Gazette: Community – two friends take on the parkrun togetherCommunity – two friends take on the parkrun together (Image: Neil Wray)

Colchester Castle parkrun, which hosted its first event in 2013, celebrated its 500th edition of the event on Saturday, March 30.

Gazette: Commitment – one keen participant ran the course whilst pushing a buggy for the 5kCommitment – one keen participant ran the course whilst pushing a buggy for the 5k (Image: Neil Wray)

The unique thing about the parkrun concept is that a world-beater can line up against a first-timer, as was the case when former world 1500m champion Jake Wightman ran the Bushy Park parkrun shortly before Christmas last year.

Practically every town and city as their own version of the parkrun, and Colchester is no different with courses in Castle Park, High Woods country park, and Mersea Island.

Gazette: Friendly – two runners share a joke during the 5kFriendly – two runners share a joke during the 5k (Image: Neil Wray)

Since Colchester's first parkrun 11 years ago, the event has gone from strength to strength – as has the parkrun movement in general.

Colchester's 500th parkrun was not the only milestone to be marked on Saturday.

Gazette: Home straight – runners make their way to the finish lineHome straight – runners make their way to the finish line (Image: Neil Wray)

A record number of participants turned out as more than 600 runners made their way around the 5k course.

Every course around the UK has its own idiosyncrasies, and Colchester's is no different.

Gazette: Milestone – Colchester Castle parkrun has now taken place more 500 timesMilestone – Colchester Castle parkrun has now taken place more 500 times (Image: Neil Wray)

The course consists of two large laps, two small laps, and ends with a 50-metre home straight leading runners back to the bandstand, where they started.

Not all of the runners are from Colchester, of course – where you are from or how fast you are has no bearing on whether or not you can take part.

Gazette: On time – Colchester Harriers has pacemakers who can guide runners to specific timesOn time – Colchester Harriers has pacemakers who can guide runners to specific times (Image: Neil Wray)

Some of the 622 participants in last Saturday's parkrun were from Norfolk, Barnsley, and Edinburgh, for example.

 

Gazette: Participation – more than 600 runners took park during the 500th eventParticipation – more than 600 runners took park during the 500th event (Image: Neil Wray)

The winner of Saturday’s race was Thorpe-le-Soken’s teenage Matt Plummer, who fittingly set a course record when he crossed the line in a time of 15:51 – another milestone.

Gazette: Talented – Sam Plummer, who has represented England in cross country, came home a comfortable winnerTalented – Sam Plummer, who has represented England in cross country, came home a comfortable winner (Image: Neil Wray)

About 30 seconds behind him was veteran athlete and Colchester Harrier, Adrian Mussett, with teammate Ben Whyte finishing in third.

Gazette: Starters – runners get underway during the 500th parkrunStarters – runners get underway during the 500th parkrun (Image: Neil Wray)

The hugely talented Lyla Belshaw, the Commonwealth Youth Games bronze medallist in the 1500m, finished in fourth.