Runners, walkers and dogs packed the start line for the crystal anniversary, many of whom dressed as Wally as part of the event’s “Where’s Wally” theme.
Rebecca celebrated her 300th run on Saturday morning (Image: NQ)
Rebecca, a GP, was taking part in her 300th parkrun.
“I’ve been doing it since 2013 and I absolutely love it,” she sad.
“I’m a local GP so I recommend it to all my patients when they’re looking for something to do or to improve their exercise.”
Starting from humble beginnings in 2011, Poole parkrun frequently sees 1,000 or more runners.
Mike Cure (right) has been involved in organising Poole parkrun since it started (Image: NQ)
Mike Cure, run director for the Easter weekend run who has been involved since it first began in 2011, said: “We didn’t expect it to come to this amount of people.
“Although it quickly rose, we started with 63 people, then it crept up to 100.
“We wanted 200. It reached 200, then 300.”
One of the 11 regular organisers, Anne-Marie, said it was important to recognise everyone who takes part in parkrun, regardless of ability.
“People who are lonely can come and have someone to talk to about something they’ve got in common on a Saturday.”
“Walking is as valid as running,” added Maxine another of the organisers.
“I think it’s for everybody. If you want to run, you run. If you want to walk, you walk.
“If you don’t want to do either of those things you can volunteer and there’s that community spirit.”
Michael Clemson, parkrun volunteer (Image: NQ)
Volunteer Michael Clemson said: “[Parkrun] is first and foremost about friendship, I suppose, without being too cheesy about it.
“The friends I’ve made from here have just been incredible.”