In our weekly look at the ever-popular parkruns across Suffolk and North-East Essex, we feature Saturday’s Colchester Castle parkrun from Castle Park

East Anglian Daily Times: Runners receive their last-minute instructions from organisers before Saturday's Colchester Castle parkrun. Pictures: LW PHOTOGRAPHYRunners receive their last-minute instructions from organisers before Saturday's Colchester Castle parkrun. Pictures: LW PHOTOGRAPHY (Image: Archant)

Just a week before Colchester Castle parkrun celebrates its fifth anniversary, a field of 414 tackled Saturday’s 263rd staging of the popular 5K event in Castle Park.

Angus Holford, who runs first claim for Woodford Green but second claim for Colchester Harriers, led everyone home in 16mins 53secs, just 21 seconds slower than his personal best for this undulating two-lap course.

Colchester Harriers’ Nate Filer did celebrate a PB (17:15) in second spot, in his 45th parkrun, while club-mate Danny Millward, who is in the 15-17 year-old age group, was third in 17:17, which equalled his PB for the event.

Fellow Harrier, Andrea James, was the first female finisher in 20:13, followed by Jordi Moat (PB of 22:14) and Great Bentley RC’s Gemma Camp (PB of 23:19).

East Anglian Daily Times: Runners enjoying the weekly 5K challenge at the Colchester Castle parkrun, at Castle Park. Picture: LW PHOTOGRAPHYRunners enjoying the weekly 5K challenge at the Colchester Castle parkrun, at Castle Park. Picture: LW PHOTOGRAPHY (Image: Archant)

The event was made possible by 29 volunteers, and first-time parkrun participants included Richard Bunce, James Anderson, Hugh Stanton, Ben Sayles, Guinoc Salira, Liz Bright, Steve Goatman, Alice Grieve and Andrew Hollock.

The first event was held back on April 6, 2013.