Runners returned for the eagerly awaited Parkrun with hundreds of joggers taking part in its first two events since lockdown.

Meanwhile, the popular Medway Mile event around Rochester will make its comeback next month.

Following 16 months off due to the pandemic, the Parkrun at the Great Lines Heritage Park in Chatham restarted on July 24.

At the latest event on Saturday morning, some 321 runners supported by 50 volunteers came back to enjoy the outdoors and staying fit by walking or jogging around the park.

Registering for Parkrun events is free and starts at 9am every Saturday with participants needing to arrive 15 minutes beforehand with their barcode at the ready. Anyone aged over four can join.

More volunteers have been required but organisers say the community has stepped up and filled the requirements for the event to run safely.

Dan Gower-Smith and Gary Smith, joint event directors at Great Lines Parkrun said: “It is amazing to see everyone back. The vibe was incredible and you could see that people are so pleased to be back. Medway Council and Medway Sport have been so supportive and worked with us to bring the event back.

"Parkrun is more than a run in a park, you can run, jog, walk or volunteer to take part, we have seen friendships made and blossom. Great Lines Parkrun is at the heart of the community and together we can make Medway a healthier and happier place to live, work and enjoy life.

"The past 16 months have been hard for everyone and it shows that our event means so much to people. The event helps with people’s physical health, mental health and a person’s general well-being. We should never underestimate what Parkrun offers people.

"We can only make it possible each week thanks to the amazing volunteers and our special thanks goes to Ricardo for ensure that we have the required numbers each week."

The Medway Mile returns after being put on the blocks for a year because of the pandemic.

The popular free family event on Friday, September 10, will see hundreds of runners, joggers and walkers flock to the town to keep fit with others in the community.

It started in 2012 to coincide with the London Olympics and has grown year by year based in and around the Castle Gardens.

As well as the mass family mile there was a competitive adult race, children's race and mascot race.

The fun programme includes children's and competitive adult racers a mass warm-up, have-a-go sports classes and inflatables.

There will also be a pop-up Covid-19 vaccination and a public health zone with activities and information.

Participants will get a souvenir tee-shirt.

It starts at 5pm and finishes at 8pm. Registration will open shortly.

Anyone can volunteer and training is provided for a host of roles including setting up the course, marshalling, scanning barcodes and packing up all the kit at the end.

For more information about volunteering email greatlines@parkrun.com and to register to take part visit www.parkrun.org.uk/register/form/

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