Runners have been encouraged to lace up their shoes this October in celebration of parkrun's 16th anniversary with a month-long event: Parktoberfest.

This healthy take on the beer festival invites parkrun participants to log their 5kms - which they can even complete in stages - and get some enjoyable outdoor exercise.

Parkrun was born right here in Richmond borough in 2004 when Paul Sinton-Hewitt launched what was then called the Bushy Park Time Trial.

Some 16 years on, the concept has been rolled out to 1,500 locations across the globe and attracts as many as 280,000 runners a week.

Sadly, all of its 850 events in England have been suspended since March due to the pandemic.

And hopes that they might resume later this month were dashed, with parkrun global chief executive Nick Pearson saying the government was making decisions on "baseless assumptions and a culture of fear".

Enter Parktoberfest

The invite to take part in Parktoberfest is open to everyone. "You choose the course and decide when and how you want to take part," organisers said. "You could stroll or jog around a park, plot out a route around your local streets, or complete your (not)parkrun as part of your daily routine. You might clock up the distance whilst going shopping, dropping the kids at school, or when out doing some errands.

"It all counts, it all adds up, and it can all make you healthier and happier. You don't have to do it all in one go, you can stop for a cuppa in the middle, bring a dog or buggy, do it alone or with someone else. (not)parkrun can be whatever you want it to be."

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Once you've completed your 5km simply log your time via your parkrun profile. New runners can sign up with parkrun here.