NEARLY 300 people turned out to try their hands - or legs - at Colchester’s newest parkrun course.

The event took place for the first time in Highwoods Country Park on Saturday.

Runners, joggers and walkers from as far afield as Yorkshire braved the challenging course which included a muddy mixture of woodland paths and grassy hills.

Run director Paul Neville said: “We were delighted with the turnout.

“With any new parkrun it is difficult to predict numbers but we had 280 people running, jogging or walking the course.

“The runners were under starters orders and it was councillor Tina Bourne who set them off around the country park course.

“It is a hilly course, with a mixture of paths, woodland trails and off-road but does take in some beautiful views across the town.

“The runners’ verdict was that it was a tough course but enjoyable.”

Mr Neville added parkrun is all about participation and getting active.

“Of the 280 attendees we had at least 17 people who had never done parkrun before. It brought visitors to the town from as far afield as Yorkshire, who travelled down for the event.

“We had a real mix of runners on Saturday, from elite athletes flying around the course, with the first finisher Ramadam Osman, completing the 5km course in 16 minutes and 37 seconds, through to a man completing the course in a suit of armour.”

Colchester Council, Active Essex and parkrun UK provided the funding for the equipment and set up.

Highwoods parkrun will be held every Saturday and is free, participants just need to register online and print a barcode off so their results can be recorded.

Mr Neville added: "We were also presented with a defibrillator that was paid for by Colchester Harriers, a defibrillator is a requirement for all new parkruns and it was fantastic that Colchester Harriers stepped in to provide this.

"As well as 280 people at Highwoods, there was also 364 at Colchester Castle parkrun and 90 at Mersea Island parkrun, which just shows buoyant running is within Colchester borough."

For stalwart runner Arthur Whiston, 68, the event was his 200th parkrun.