First timers flocked to Felixstowe parkrun for the 17th staging of the weekly 5K event, held on the promenade on Saturday morning.

East Anglian Daily Times: Runners on the promenade during Saturday's Felixstowe parkrun. Picture: FELIXSTOWE PARKRUN FACEBOOK PAGERunners on the promenade during Saturday's Felixstowe parkrun. Picture: FELIXSTOWE PARKRUN FACEBOOK PAGE (Image: Archant)

In fact, the first three home from a field of 195 were all taking part in their first Felixstowe parkruns, spearheaded by Philip Boak, who reached the finish funnel in 17mins 11secs.

He was followed home by runner-up Craig Hardwick, who was just over a minute behind in 18:17, and Aidan Coughlan (18:49), who was representing Vegan Runners. It was actually Hardwick’s 150th parkrun, most of them clocked up at Worthing.

Nicola Ranson, an over-50 veteran from Springfield Striders, was the first female finisher in 21:51, which was a new personal best for the course. It was her 164th parkrun.

One of the big stories of the day was Danny Norman choosing Felixstowe to notch his 600th parkrun, a remarkable achievement. The Surrey-based runner was 12th home in 21:07.

East Anglian Daily Times: Young and the not-so-young took part in the Felixstowe parkrun, a weekly 5K challenge. Picture: FELIXSTOWE PARKRUN FACEBOOK PAGEYoung and the not-so-young took part in the Felixstowe parkrun, a weekly 5K challenge. Picture: FELIXSTOWE PARKRUN FACEBOOK PAGE (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: Action from the 17th staging of the Felixstowe parkrun. Picture: FELIXSTOWE PARKRUN FACEBOOK PAGEAction from the 17th staging of the Felixstowe parkrun. Picture: FELIXSTOWE PARKRUN FACEBOOK PAGE (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: A field of 195 took part in Saturday's Felixstowe parkrun. Picture: FELIXSTOWE PARKRUN FACEBOOK PAGEA field of 195 took part in Saturday's Felixstowe parkrun. Picture: FELIXSTOWE PARKRUN FACEBOOK PAGE (Image: Archant)