SOUTH Cumbria parks were filled with activity as hundreds of runners donned their trainers to enjoy some fresh air and exercise.

Ulverston's Ford parkrun celebrated its sixth event with a dryer day than the last and organisers said it showed with an increase of participants.

There were 16 debutantes and 35 people achieved a personal best, with 20 of those PBs belonging to the ladies and 15 to the Men.

The first finished was David McNally in 20:06 and the first lady and junior runner was Jessica Bailey in 22:05.

If anyone thinking of taking part is concerned about being last or losing their way, there's no need to worry as our volunteer tailwalker stays at the back to ensure nobody is left behind. Rebecca Bleakley took on this role and finished in 106th place.

An Ulverston parkrun organiser said: "A well deserved mention to Helen Rastelli who ran her milestone 50th parkrun. Helen has taken part in parkrun events across the country and the globe."

A tremendous 182 people enjoyed a warm morning at the Barrow parkrun. This number included four new runners and 32 people recorded a personal best.

Andrew Dorrian was first in 18:36, David Harker second in 19:16 with an unknown runner in third in the men's race.

In the ladies, Karen Oldham came home first in a new PB time in 22:07, with Kerry Travers second and Sandra Garnett third, also recording a new PB in 23:34.

Next week will be Barrow parkrun's anniversary and we are having a party in the evening at the Soccer Bar from 7.30pm.

Tickets are available and include DJ and pie and peas. We will be running on the alternative course next week because of another event in the park so remember bandstand four times and the cenotaph three times.

Millom parkrun was even more exciting this week after the course was redesigned by course designer Jonathan Bailey.

The usual five lap course had some interesting tweaks including a wheelie hair pin bend.

Race Director Shelley Myers gave a vote of thanks to Jonathan along with the volunteers; Dawn Attwood, Gemma Bosanko, Andy Burn, Yvonne Davies, Stephen Hancock, Sarah Lupton, Penny Moreton, Rachel Read, Andrew Rigg and John Roberts.

She welcomed visitors Mick Conway and Teresa Raynor from Far Cotton and Gary Davies from Rochdale who were visiting our course for the first time, also first timing Carolyn Burn, Roy Jones and Gillian Steffert.

Congratulations were extended to Rachel Read, Jane McFie, Dawn Attwood, Carolyn Burn, Tim Miles and Katy Leece who successfully completed the Great North Run after beginning their running journey through parkrun.

Millom parkrun volunteer Penny Moreton said runners relished the new course as plenty of smiles greeted the timekeepers.

She said: "Mick Conway led the pack of Dave Bridges, John Rodgers and Lee Thompsett. Calvin Singleton was determined and succeeded in beating Jonathan Bailey, while there was a new lady winner this week; Carolyn Burn swiftly followed by Holly Singleton."

Milly Wilson a recent beginner at Millom parkrun took her new-found fitness on holiday as she completed a continuous 5km along the promenade in Benidorm. Personal bests were achieved by Sarah Pinney, Shara Elias and Emma Gandy, Susan Southward.

Results Mick Conway 21.11, 2nd Dave Bridges 21.19 3rd John Rodgers 21.52. Women’s Carolyn Burn 28.52, 2nd Holly Singleton 29.28, 3rd Karen Moore 32.22.