A SPECIAL event to celebrate the second birthday of the Banbury Parkrun is being held this weekend in Spiceball Park.

The weekly running challenge features scores of locals, from children as young as four to pensioners in their 70s, running at their chosen pace around the green space.

For its second anniversary on Saturday participants are invited to arrive half an hour early at 8.30am to hear speeches and take part in an awards ceremony celebrating the achievements of those who regularly take part.

Michael Dobson, a local personal trainer and Banbury Parkrun event director, said a variety of awards will be handed out.

He added: “Awards are not necessarily for the best runner.

"It’s also for those who have been there every week, for those who have got a new personal best and also if you volunteer."

Parkrun relies completely on volunteers and every week between 15 and 20 people turn up to help martial the event.

Mr Dobson said: “Without the volunteers it wouldn’t run. It’s great we get so many. It’s such a community event."

Although those taking part are timed so that they can try to improve their speed each week, Mr Dobson said the Banbury Parkrun is categorically not a race.

“It’s very similar to a race. But what makes it different is that it’s inclusive. Anyone can enter to take part from the age of four.

“The whole point of it is the social appeal. No one should be put under any pressure”.

When the run first began two years ago, around 80 people took part.

Since then that number has more than doubled to approximately 200.

Helen Roberts, 51, who regularly runs with her partner Grant Goodings, 55, and son Barnaby, 10, has taken part from the very start.

She said: “It’s much bigger now compared to when it started and whole families and people of all ages go.

"It’s a very friendly atmosphere and there are people you see about town who recognise you from the Parkrun."

Anyone who wants to take part in the Banbury Parkrun is invited to bring along food or cake to share at the end and socialise with others.

For more information visit facebook.com/banburyparkrun/?fref=ts

By Dan Falvey