MORE than 130 joggers dusted off their trainers for the first in a series of weekly runs around a Darlington park.

The inaugural Darlington Park Run was held in South Park, on Saturday (December 15).

It is part of a national campaign aimed at getting people more active and attracted club level runners, as well as weekend joggers and those looking to build up their fitness levels.

The run, over a 5km course, will be repeated in the park every Saturday, at 9am.

Event director Ian Barnes said anybody was welcome to take part, but they would need to sign up online in advance, rather than just turn up on the day.

Similar events are held every week in parks across the country, including in Sunderland, Newcastle, Middlesbrough and York.

On Saturday, in Darlington, Quakers Running Club member Dean Newton finished first, in 16 minutes and 47 seconds.

Darlington Harriers member Katie Noble was the fastest woman, finishing in 20 minutes and 32 seconds.

Mr Barnes was keen to stress that the event is held as a ‘run’, rather than a ‘race’, with the emphasis on participation, not competition.

To sign up for the Park Run, visit parkrun.org.uk