THE success of the Bolton parkrun continued on Saturday as the event attracted its third highest ever number of runners.

With the attendance at the free, timed 5k run around Leverhulme Park constantly increasing, the event is becoming an established part of the weekly schedule for many Bolton's athletes, fun runners and people who just want to do some exercise.

This week – just over four years since the first event was held in Bolton – the 325 runners who turned out on a nice day was just eight short of the all-time record, and they were bolstered by a team of 25 volunteers who made it all possible.

The lighter mornings and the ever-so-slightly milder temperatures are a clear reminder that spring is right around the corner, and that can only mean one thing: no more standing in the cold and freezing rain, losing the feeling in your fingers, whether running or volunteering.

Another 35 people tried Bolton parkrun for the first time this week with 76 recording personal bests and representatives of 18 athletics clubs taking part.

In the men’s placings, someone sans barcode, Martin Reid and Anthony Valentine were first home, and all amazingly under 17 minutes.

First ladies home were Janet Kenyon, Paula Pilling (who achieved a new PB) and junior runner Isabella Merritt (who also set a new PB in the process).

For the statisticians out there, Bolton parkrun started in February 2011 since when 4,514 different runners, including participants from 211 athletics clubs, have completed 36,888 runs covering a total distance of 184,440 km, and there have been 7,150 new personal bests set. Phew!

Runner of the week this week is Bill Vickers who completed his 50th parkrun and has missed only five runs since the start of November last year.