ONE of the first junior parkruns in the world has just celebrated its 5,000th runner.

Forest of Dean junior parkrun launched six years ago and now sees more than 70 youngsters regularly tackle the 2km course every Sunday morning at Coverham Enclosure in Five Acres, opposite Lakers School.

Lewis Parsons, who has been doing the event since 2014. was the 5,000th runner in his 39th parkrun. And to mark the occasion, he set a personal best of 11 minutes 56 seconds.

Cam Breeze, aged five, also secured his marathon band for running his 50th parkrun.

Forest of Dean Athletic Club organiser Pete Compton said: “We switched to a weekly Sunday event at 9am in 2016. The event has been going from strength to strength with a record 356 children running in April.”

The runs are not races, and runners can go at whatever speed they like. Youngsters aged four to 14 can take part, and mums and dads can jog alongside them.

To join in, go to www. parkrun.org.uk/register/ to obtain your parkrun barcode, which provides you with your time at each parkrun.

The senior Forest of Dean parkrun takes place every Saturday over 5km, starting at 9am.