On the run: spotlight on the Ipswich parkrun

A field of more than 400 runners, joggers and walkers took part in Saturday's Ipswich parkrun. Picture: IPSWICH PARKRUN FACEBOOK (Image: Archant)

The Ipswich parkrun has moved from its regular Chantry Park venue to its winter course at Christchurch Park, to allow the saturated and in some cases waterlogged parts of the Chantry Park route to recover.

Thomas Adams, of Ipswich Harriers, led home a field of 408 at the 282nd event on Saturday morning. Adams clocked 17mins 52secs for the 5K distance, around a two-lap anti-clockwise course, which started and finished near the Mansion House cafe.

Young Tilly Aldis, in the 11-14 year-old age bracket, was the first female finisher in 19:16. She was an excellent 12th overall. Fellow junior Katie Challinor, of Ipswich JAFFA, was second in a personal best (for the Ipswich event) of 19:54, a good effort on a course that has some testing inclines.

Many were running their first-ever parkruns, including Gian Lugi Di Franco, Megan Andrew, Ken Howe, Valerijia Tarasenko, Owen Davis, Emma Deakin, Tom Rees, Isaac Finbow, Darren James, Cheryl Knights, Francesca Russo, Charmaine Davis, Karen Fairweather, Raiza Simms, Kelly Wade, Ellen Marsh, Abigail Pipe, Rhiannon King, Rebecca Anderson, Clare Lay, Victoria Addison, Sam Chambers, Helen Turvey, Katherine Addison and Emily Chambers.

Veteran marathon runner Phil Nutley (white vest) was one of 408 to finish the Ipswich parkrun on Saturday. (Image: Archant)

Runners into their stride at the 282nd staging of the Ipswich parkrun (Image: Archant)

All smiles at the Ipswich parkrun, held in Christchurch Park (Image: Archant)

All ages took part in the weekly Ipswich parkrun over the weekend (Image: Archant)