LYDNEY Parkrun celebrated its first anniversary with cake, an awards ceremony and a run in which 120 runners crossed the line.

Event director, David Price, said: “Parkrun is a free 5K timed run every Saturday morning at 9am.  Starting and finishing at the garage block at Lydney Boating Lake, the route takes in the picturesque scenery of Lydney Lake, the canal and a well-used, newly-created path through the woods.

“The event went well and the highlight was the fact that volunteer marshall Sandra Hawkins was able to complete the whole course for the first time. Sandra was acting as a tail runner, ensuring no one was left behind and it was a great achievement. We had a total of 18 volunteers at the event and rely on them for time-keeping and marshalling.

“Lydney parkrun was set up by a group of us when the Forest parkrun got a bit too big. Over the year 1,255 different runners have covered a total of 24,535km.  Congratulations go to our course record holders Scott Campbell with a time of 16mins 56secs and Victoria Baker with 19mins 18secs.

“We have welcomed visitors from all over the world, and parkrunners have been very generous in raising around £300 towards repairs at Bathurst Pool, Macmillan Cancer Support and Cancer Research.

“In the past few weeks, hundreds of spring flowering bulbs have been donated and planted by runners. around the lake, to bring a splash of spring colour and enhance the council’s work in the area. 

“We also secured funding for an automated external defibrillator thanks to a donation from the Forest of Deans Lion Club, and it is now available during our runs.”

“It’s great to see so many people each week enjoying this free event, seeing the smiles as they come over the finish line, hearing their stories and celebrating their personal bests.

“We’re offering a nine week 0-5K course at 6.30pm on Mondays at Lydney Boating Lake. Otherwise if you want to join us, you can just turn up on Saturday mornings for 9am.”

To find out more go to www.parkrun.org.uk/lydney or search Lydney parkrun on Facebook.