The first parkruns of the year are due to kick off across Suffolk and north Essex this morning.

East Anglian Daily Times: The first 'parkrun' taking place in Clare Castle Country Park on Saturday morning. Picture: ANDY ABBOTTThe first 'parkrun' taking place in Clare Castle Country Park on Saturday morning. Picture: ANDY ABBOTT (Image: Archant)

Hundreds of people are booked in to attend events in Ipswich’s Christchurch Park, Kesgrave’s Millenium Field, Colchester’s Castle Park and Clacton seafront.

Other courses include Mersea Island, Great Cornard, Harwich and Sudbury.

Some parkrun organisers across Suffolk held events earlier in the week as runners kickstarted a healthier January.

Each run begins at 9am – the weekly timed courses give participants scenic tours of their communities while helping them to keep fit and improve their run times.

Organisers say parkruns are free to join and everyone is welcome.

Ipswich race director Graham Rodgers said: “parkruns are free, weekly timed 5k community running events, on a Saturday morning. parkrun events are open and inclusive to all.

“Would you like to get more active, improve your health and happiness, to walk, jog and run and volunteer? Then come along to a parkrun.”