DAMP weather did not reflect the enthusiasm of the scores of runners who descended on Darlington's South Park for International Parkrun Day.

Saturday marked the 14th anniversary of parkrun events nationally and Darlington's event celebrated its sixth year.

Since its introduction, Darlington's 5k run has gone from strength to strength, growing from 137 runners in its first outing to now regularly attracting more than 300 each week.

This morning was no different as hundreds pounded round the course despite the chilly, autumnal weather.

Among them was Danny Gordon, who at 74 was among the more senior runners taking part.

Mr Gordon, of Darlington, has been running for more than two decades and completed this morning's 5k in an impressive 25minutes 17 seconds.

He said: "It will be good for my age, I think it will be the fastest in my age group.

"I have been running competitively like this for over 20-years, I was a runner when I was a boy, I'd run cross country at school."

In describing the parkrun's appeal, Mr Gordon said: "It is because it isn't a race.

"Everybody likes to get their time but it is more like a fitness event and it is good to be able to compare your time not just within the event but also nationally.

"There are people walking, people running with dogs and buggies, it is a great social event."

Sarah Grant, 38, travelled to South Park from Barnard Castle to take part in the run.

And despite pushing round her four-month-old baby Jay Grant in a buggy, she still recorded a respectable 37minutes and 18 seconds.

She said: "I only started this run last week although I have run for a lot of years.

"I brought my dad last week, he is 67 and he pushed the buggy round.

"It is just a nice thing to do as a family and I will definitely be coming back, I do wish there was one in Barnard Castle."

The run is marshalled by volunteers including 79-year-old Will Gibson of Darlington who has volunteered at an assortment of runs for the last 12-years.

He said: "It is a social thing as well as getting people fit.

"It is lovely when people progress all the time.

"Some people struggle to run when they start out but you give them that encouragement and get to develop and it really helps.

"It is a fantastic atmosphere."

The Darlington Parkrun takes place every Saturday morning at 9am.