Prizes and cake are on offer as Whitehaven Parkrun prepares to celebrate its first birthday.

The event will mark the end of its first year on Saturday, June 29, when spot prizes from New Balance will be up for grabs.

The run will be followed by cake at the Top of the Shops community cafe.

More than 1,000 people have tackled the 5k Mirehouse to Moor Row course since it was launched last June, either running, jogging or walking the route.

Just over a third of the participants were first timers to parkrun.

Now, 592 people have registered Whitehaven as their local parkrun, with the remainder referred to as parkrun tourists, coming from other events across the county and beyond to take part locally.

There has even been one participant from Australia.

More than 70 people have also taken part as volunteers, taking on tasks such as marshalling, timing and resulting recording, along with behind-the-scenes work, to ensure the event can run.

The event takes place at Whitehaven Cycle Track, behind St Benedict’s Church, just off Whinlatter Road, at 9am every Saturday.

Richard Metcalf from Active Cumbria said: “We’re encouraging everyone to get involved in the first birthday event.

"We are very excited about how well Whitehaven Parkrun has established and the numbers that have taken part.

"It’s becoming a real part of the community now in Mirehouse and it’s been great to witness this first hand.

"Parkrun isn't just for runners, it's for all. We have seen a diverse range of people with all abilities benefitting from this parkrun whether running, walking, pram pushing, walking the dog or volunteering.

"I’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you to the volunteers because without them parkrun simply would not happen.”

Deborah Earl, Cumbria County Council cabinet member for public health and community services, said: “Over the last couple of years as cabinet member I have seen Mirehouse really come together as a community.

"I’m grateful for the support that Active Cumbria has given to this community in the delivery of a local parkrun.

"Whitehaven Parkrun has had a successful first year with thanks to the many volunteers who give their time week in week out and I hope to see go from strength to strength for years to come."

Parkrun in Whitehaven has been supported by Copeland Community Fund, Whitehaven Town Council, Prospect Union and Cumbria County Council.

Douglas Fielder was inspired to take up running when his son, who had never run before, entered the London Marathon.

Douglas’ first parkrun was during Storm Deidre in December when it rained non-stop but he said to himself: “If I can do it today, I can do it any day.”

Douglas has been a regular runner since that first week and has taken part in 30 parkruns, with his time shrinking by nine minutes.

He is very modest about his parkrun personal best but is confident that, with a little more weight loss, he can improve further.

He is well aware that diet plays a huge part in weight loss, but has found the exercise at parkrun to be of great benefit to him.

Douglas compliments the friendliness of Whitehaven parkrun. He said: “It’s very encouraging when I’m going up the track as other runners are always very supportive and shout out, ‘well done’."