RUNNERS from all over the country descended on Fell Foot park at Newby Bridge for the first Parkrun on Saturday.

A large field of 247 runners took part, and the new event was hailed a great success.

Parkruns are free, five kilometre events staged in parks all over the world, always starting at 9am on a Saturday. The Windermere organisers were thrilled with the turnout – and the compliments for their challenging and scenic route.

“The Fell Foot Parkrun is another fantastic addition to the Lake District’s portfolio of outdoor activity,” said Matt Leigh, one of the organisers. He and a team of volunteers had worked with the National Trust to create the route.

“It’s an accessible event for all, designed to cater for all abilities from first time runners to top class club athletes and we’re confident we’ll end up developing a strong running and social community as a consequence.”

First to finish was James Kraft, of Scarborough AC, in a time of 17.15. The first woman, and 13th overall, was Heidi Murray of Kendal AAC in 20.35.

Several family groups took part, and among the finishers were runners from Cambridge, York, Durham, Newcastle and Liverpool.

Sheila Jones, from Radcliffe AC in Manchester, brought a box of chocolates for the finishers on behalf of her home Parkrun, Heaton Park. She was taking part in her 205th Parkrun. “It’s a great route,” she said.

Katy Thompson, of Lancashire’s Clayton-le-Moors Harriers, and usually a long-distance fell runner, took part on her way to the Joss Naylor challenge dinner. “It’s a lovely cross country route, really scenic with great views of the lake,” she said.

The organisers paid tribute to the assistance of Stuart Wallace, a Parkrun ambassador from Barrow who was their mentor during the planning stages. A big group from Barrow – which has its own successful Parkrun – came over for the first Fell Foot event.

Runners who want to take part must register online at www.parkrun.org.uk and print off a barcode which has to be presented at the finish. The barcode can be used at any event.