Macclesfield runners revelled the occasion of celebrating Parkrun's 20th birthday on Saturday.

While Parkrun in Macclesfield has not been going since 2004, the first Parkrun took place in London 20 years ago, and Parkruns across the globe were marking the occasion.

The 5K run, which takes place every Saturday morning, is a free way to get fit and make friends.

This 20th birthday celebrations were accompanied by a free magazine celebrating Parkrun, for all attendees, and a celebratory playlist.

The 3.1-mile course can be walked, jogged, or sprinted by those taking part. And volunteers help make the run safe, and smoothly-organised.

Macclesfield's Parkrun has been held 258 times. The course takes a scenic route through the park, which opened in 1922.

The once-a-week run has been held every Saturday for almost five years, barring a brief absence during COVID-19 restrictions.

Macclesfield's Parkrun, has an average finish time of 29 minutes, 45 seconds.

In total, 9037 runners have took on the course, from Macclesfield and all over the country.

If you count repeat runners - those that run the course again - there has been 56,432 finishes of the 5K circuit.

That totals a distance of 282,160 kilometres people have walked, jogged, and sprinted the Parkrun course.

That is the equivalent of 175,326 miles.

For context, the circumference of the Earth is 24,901 miles.

So Macclesfield Parkrunners shoes have covered over seven times that!

Runners register for a free barcode, where they can keep track of their time. You can register on THIS LINK, and then simply turn up this Saturday morning to take part.

Manny runners enjoy a taste of South America or a bacon butty at South Park coffee vendor Tatama Coffee afterwards, next to the Pavilion.

The Park Tavern also opens early on the last Saturday of every month, for Parkrunners.

Macclesfield parkrun takes place every Saturday at 9:00am.

At the same time, another Parkrun takes place at Alderley Park.

Overall, the average time to complete a Park Run is getting slower. And according to Parkrun founder Paul Sinton-Hewitt, that is because more and more people are getting involved, including those who previously did not think that Parkrun was for them.

Paul started Parkrun after he got injured, and could no longer run. But found fun and friendship in hosting a time trial for others. The first-ever Parkrun was at Bushy Park, in London.

The free event takes place at South Park, Park Vale Road, Macclesfield, SK11 8AD.

Children came come too, if accompanied by an adult. One dog on a short lead is also allowed to do the Parkrun with you.

If you do not fancy trying out Macclesfield Parkrun at South Park, there is also a nearby Parkrun in Alderley Park.

Macclesfield Nub News reached out to Parkrun Macclesfield for a chat, but has yet to receive a reply.

You can find more about Macclesfield Park Run on Facebook and THIS LINK.