THE 500th edition of a countrywide fitness phenomenon has taken place in Winchester.

A total of 810 runners of all ages took the starting line on Saturday, November 16, at the North Walls recreation ground before completing the five-kilometre course around the park. 

The day's winner was Jacob Ainslie, who ran a time of 17 minutes and 12 seconds.

Some were gunning for PBs, but many of the participants took a more leisurely pace, with some even strolling.

READ MORE: Winchester Parkrun runners celebrate event's 20th birthday

Volunteer, and some-time Parkrun participant Tony Hurlin, 81, of Winchester, said: "I think the whole of Parkrun is just a miraculous movement, I can’t believe it’s been so successful. I started at the age of 76 and I was welcomed here after I retired from a career in club running."

Tony explained how he reached a high level through his club after having started aged 40, once clocking a 34-minute 10k, but that Parkrun provided the ideal way to wind down and enjoy the sport a little more.

Pointing out a couple strolling around the five-kilometre course with their baby, he said that the event really is for anyone and everyone.

Another volunteer, Carol Pusey, 68, said: "I love doing it. I run sometimes and I volunteer sometimes. It’s really nice because it brings together all ages. You have everybody from babies to people over 80. It’s also quite a simple thing – you just have to turn up."

Parkrun, which recently celebrated its 20th birthday, has grown from a time trial with just 13 competitors into an international event with millions of runners.

In 2023, new milestone clubs were created for volunteering and walking or running to show that all participation is equal.

SEE ALSO: Timeline: How parkrun grew from time trial with just 13 runners

A parkwalk campaign was also launched to encourage more people to attend the event.

That year, more than 2,300 events occurred worldwide and there were more than nine million participants.

The Winchester edition has been running continuously now for more than a decade.

As well as participants there have been 1,340 different volunteers with the success of the event relying on run directors, who set up and clear up the course, timekeepers, barcode scanners, and marshals who give up their time for free.

Parkrun takes place every Saturday at the North Walls recreation ground.