For almost three years, while most of us were curled up in our warm beds, more than a hundred people have been getting up and going down to Dolerw Park in Newtown on Saturday mornings.

parkrun is a global phenomenon that brings people of all ages and abilities- from pensioners to pram pushers - to their local green space for a free, timed 5km run.

“The big thing about parkrun is support and community,” joint race director Cath Sherlock said.

“It’s inclusive. This isn’t a race, it’s to enjoy yourself.

“When one runner started parkrun, it took him over an hour to complete the course. Now he can do it under 50 minutes. People do see improvement every week. It’s perseverance.”

Newtown parkrun was the first in Powys to get running. Almost three years later, there have been hundreds of people taking part and it has only been cancelled twice during that time. Even the ‘Beast from the East’ of 2018 could not stop the event from going ahead.

“It’s bloomed!” Cath said. “It brings people to Newtown. We’ve had people come from Australia, New Zealand, America, all over.”

Newtown parkrun regular Caroline Orrells said the event has grown from strength to strength with the help of race organiser Helen Owen.

“It’s encouraging people, families and their dogs to come out and do whatever they can do,” she said.

“Some might just do a bit of the course and then next week do a bit further. It’s not about doing all of the three miles.

She added: “As a runner, if you’re having a bad day there’s no pressure to run it all.

“People feel so much better after completing it. They’re finished by 10 o’clock and then they can do what they want to do.

“Just come and have some fun!”

Newtown parkrun starts at 9am in the Back Lane car park.

Register for your first parkrun at www.parkrun.org.uk/

To keep up to date with Newtown parkrun, go to their Facebook page.