Times continue to tumble at popular Rushmere parkrun

The free weekly 5k, which is open to people of all ages and abilities, welcomed 19 participants who were taking part in their first event, along with 20 others who had taken part in other parkrun events across the world.

Among the 87 people who had completed the two-lap circuit of the Country Park previously, a whopping 38 recorded their fastest time.

Kath Crawley was the biggest improver on the day, wiping more than three minutes off her time from last week to finish in 32 minutes 26 secs.

Lois Vickery was more than a minute faster in 32:36, as was Ruri Himeno in 33:46 and Georgie Zacharzewski in 30:48.

Emma Ellis also made a significant leap to stop the clock in 30:44.

Adam Piers topped the list of personal bests for the men, slashing three minutes off his best time to cross the line in 25:57.

Paul Hepworth (27:51) and Tim Johnson (29:55) recorded similar improvements as they broke the magical 30-minute barrier for the first time.

Dean Haywood was two minutes quicker in 26:37, along with Matthew Laker-Warner in 26:53 and Alex Eaton in 24:43.

In the junior boys Alessio Bagatti (32:21), Kieran Roadnight (31:32) and Eddie Cook (30:53) all posted personal bests. Alexia Lee (29:15), Daisy Giltrow (31:37) and Lucy Kelly (36:16) all posted their fastest times in the junior girls category.

Diane Sandover was the fastest female in the over 60s in 28:09, ahead of Angela Kerr in 32:04.

Frederick Watt was the fastest male in the over 65s in 27:57, followed by Paul Thomas in 31:55 and first-timer Martin Kerr in 33:43.

Rushmere parkrun takes place in Rushmere Country Park at 9am each Saturday and is open to everyone.

Registration is free at www.parkrun.org.uk/rushmere