Cheltenham has a new parkrun and it’s really taking off.

This Saturday at 9am, just like every other Saturday for the past few months, a group of people will turn up at King George V playing field near Cheltenham Saracens clubhouse and run for fun.

Cheltenham has had a successful parkrun at Pittville for a number of years now but a small group worked with Cheltenham Borough Council and Cheltenham Borough Homes to secure funding for the parkrun at King George V playing field and it’s been going from strength to strength since the first event in September.

“It’s free,” said one of the event directors Matt Polson. “Every week, people show up and enjoy themselves without paying anything.”

A parkrun is over five kilometres but Polson explains you don’t have to be a good runner to take part, far from it in fact.

“It’s not about running,” he said. “Every week someone volunteers to tail-walk the event. So nobody comes last.

“If you want to run super fast, then you can. If you want to have a walk, then that is also great.

“If you don’t fancy running at all, then you can always come along and volunteer or even just support. Everyone is welcome and it’s a great way to meet new people.”

The 5km course comprises three laps of the playing field but Polson added: “That may sound a lot, but doing it with other people where everyone supports each other, makes it far easier. And you can always start and see how it goes.”

And one of the reasons parkruns have been so successful up and down the country – more than 90 people on average have been turning up to King George V each Saturday – is that they really are for anyone and everyone.

“It’s for the whole family,” said Polson. “We love to see whole families coming down and taking part. We ask that under-11s stay with an adult, but the parkrun is for everyone who wants to give 5km a go on a Saturday morning.”

And there’s a special treat at the end as well.

“Every week the wonderful Sally from Cheltenham Saracens Rugby Club makes a fabulous array of cakes,” continued Polson.

“The Sarries don’t stop there as they put on bacon butties and hot drinks as well. It’s every parkrunner’s top secret – they do it for the cake!”

Anyone wanting to take part at the King George V parkrun is asked to register first.

“You only need to so this once,” said Polson. “Do this online (www.parkrun.com) and print out your own barcode, but that is quick and easy to do.

“If you don’t have access to the internet or a printer, come and talk to the Run Director one Saturday and we’ll be able to work something out for the next week.”

For more information, visit www.parkrun.org.uk/kinggeorgevplayingfield or email kinggeorgevplayingfield@parkrun.com