Runners put their best feet forward to celebrate five years of Weymouth’s Parkrun.

Saturday marked five years since the event started at Lodmoor Country Park and 14 years since Parkrun was launched in the UK.

Despite the wet weather, runners took the 5km track with volunteers cheering them on - See our picture gallery.

Graham Sherwin of Egdon Heath Harriers was the first across the finish line.

He’s been taking part in Weymouth’s Parkrun for years and added: “It’s a good weekly event which inspires everyone to get out and run. It’s not just for people who’re fast.”

Ian Martin got involved with Weymouth’s Parkrun to lead a healthier lifestyle. He will complete his 100th Parkrun next Saturday.

He said: “I started in March 2016 and lost six stone. My friend Dan encouraged me to get involved. I was lazy and used to drink a fair bit, but now I don’t drink anymore. Everybody who’s here has changed their life, each week they’re pushing for different times.

“It’s addictive because of the people. I have met so many friends through it. I am here each weekend and sometimes in the week. I’ve got the bug. I won’t stop, that’s it now.”

Nicky Noyce, from Beaminster, was taking part for the first time.

She said: “I have never been before but thought I would go for it today on Parkrun’s anniversary. It’s been absolutely brilliant. The volunteers are fantastic, they were really encouraging.”

Mike Askew said: "I started parkrunning three years ago. I was new to the area, didn't know many people and was pretty unfit. Right from my first run, I loved the atmosphere and the fact that plodders like me were made to feel as welcome and valued as the really fast runners at the front. I remember coming home and thinking that I might go again the following week. Three years on, I've now done 107 runs, met some amazing people and made countless friends. I've loved every run, even the cold, wet rainy ones when everything hurts.

"I've also become a core volunteer – working with a fantastic team of people that make sure Parkrun happens week in, week out - rain or shine, sun or snow. We get a lot of Parkrun tourists every week, and it's always great to welcome new runners to Weymouth. I'm sure some people choose Weymouth as a destination because our Parkrun has such a great reputation - which is great for the town."

Carole Latimer said: "I completed my 50th run last week with a new PB. Big thanks to all you lovely parkrunners who, over the last 50 runs, cheered me on, shouted at me, ran with me and generally kept me going. As a lifelong smoker, I ditched the habit in January 2017 and when my friend Lisa Birch dragged me to my first Parkrun, little did I know I'd be here 49 runs later, affiliated to a running club and completed a half marathon!!!! The camaraderie and community of Parkrun is fabulous. Long may it continue "

Sarah Bibby said: "As a family we love Parkrun and are there most weeks. My husband and two of my sons are fantastic runners and really enjoy the social side of running with other people. I'm doing Couch To 5K so am usually closer to the back than they are, but I get an enormous amount of support from all the runners on course and the volunteers, and that makes such a difference and keeps me going. It really isn't about racing, more about taking part, and on weeks we don't want to run or can't we love to volunteer instead. Volunteers are what makes Parkrun work, they're the glue that holds it all together and it's fun watching everyone out there enjoying themselves and doing well knowing you're making that possible for them. Whether you run it, walk it or volunteer I'd highly recommend getting involved as it's a wonderful community to be a part of."

Michael Wilkinson helps organise the weekly Parkrun alongside Kathy Davis. He said: “We wanted to do well, but you never know how these things will go. In our first week in Weymouth we had around 120 runners, but that went down to 40 to 50 people the week after. Now we’re getting close to 500 runners at times, and By early next year we’re hoping to have around 400 regular runners.

“It’s a community event more than a run. It’s about people coming here and having fun.”

Mr Wilkinson thanked all the volunteers who support the event each week.

He said: “You can’t do it without volunteers, every week we have around 25 volunteers who give up their time. It’s just as much fun being a volunteer. You meet so many people you didn’t know before.”

Mr Wilkinson added: "Since we started in August 2013 we have had more than 62,000 individual/participant runs, more than 1,000 runs made by ‘first timers’, and over 700 runs made by runners under 20-years-old.

"Weymouth Parkrun has had fantastic support from Parkrun UK, Weymouth and Portland BC and Friends of Lodmoor Country Park and in return have raised funds for a defibrillator for the park and the Friends group.

They also have support from the local running clubs including Dorset Sole Sisters, Maiden Newton Runners, Weymouth St Pauls Harriers, Egdon Heath Harriers, Royal Manor of Portland Running Club and RIOT, many of whom hold their couch to 5k course graduations at parkrun."

As well as the Saturday Parkrun. There is a junior 2km Parkrun which is held every Sunday.

Visit www.parkrun.org.uk/weymouth