A WEEKLY race that attracts runners of all ages and abilities from across the region celebrated its first birthday at the weekend.

Sedgefield Park Run was launched on March 17 last year and, since then, 1,061 individuals have completed the timed 5km route around Hardwick Park in County Durham.

Many runners return again and again, with the event attracting an average of 81 entrants per week from County Durham and beyond.

At a celebratory party held after the run today (Saturday, March 16), runners were treated to birthday cake alongside the usual tea and coffee.

Awards were also presented to Angus Hearman, who was named runner of the year, and Val Newton, who was named Volunteer of the Year.

The family-friendly race is one of more than 15,000 free Park Runs in the UK and is organised by a team of committed volunteers, including Jane Spink, a PE teacher from Sedgefield.

“It has been amazing,” she said. “So many people have contributed and their efforts have come together to produce a weekly event that caters for everybody.

“I think people come back each week because of the warm welcome they receive and the encouragement of the volunteers.

To fully enjoy the benefits of Park Run, which starts and finishes at Hardwick Park Visitor Centre at 9am on Saturdays, runners are encouraged to register online at parkrun.org.uk

They then receive a barcode, which can be printed out and scanned at the end of the race to allow runners to track monitor their time.