Five Arches Park Run has marked its first anniversary, celebrating a year of weekly community events that have brought together participants and volunteers from across the area.

The park run is a free, weekly community event that takes place in Radstock, across the UK and across the world in helping to bring people together.

With support from local organisations and businesses, Five Arches Park Run launched on September 23, 2023, and has now been running weekly. Since its launch, it has seen 4,404 participants from the local community and beyond, engaged 318 volunteers, and collaborated with 492 organisations and groups. Each week, it attracts 100 to 300 individuals and families.

On Saturday, September 28, Five Arches Park Run celebrated its one year anniversary with a special run full of fun, colour, and free cake.

Runners meets at Tom Huyton Play Park at the beginning of the Greenway route every Saturday at 8.45 am, with the run starting promptly at 9am. Further details can be found at: www.parkrun.org.uk/fivearches/

One participant said: “Since getting involved with Five Arches Park Run, I now know more people in my local community than ever before. I’ve even danced around in public wearing reindeer antlers and Christmas lights — and I’ve run 10K. But, just like Jaws isn’t a movie about a shark, we all know park run isn’t really about running.

"I got involved in Five Arches a month ago. The whole experience and atmosphere are extremely enjoyable and friendly, and you also get to meet new people as well. I had no idea how much hard work had gone into getting it set up and going. Hats off to the organisers, who arrive early to set things up in all winds and weathers, and marshalling at point 6 helps me get some steps in nice and early, which is an added bonus."

Another person said: "I'm four weeks into Couch to 5k after starting to volunteer with Five Arches park run in September.

The support from everyone has been incredible. The whole community gets what it's like to be a new starter, especially for someone who's never going to be an athlete. The support, random chats, and sense of community are what make me come back each week and keep trying to improve my health and fitness."

"I love parkrun. I never understood the appeal, and it's difficult to explain, so I just tell people to try it. I'm so happy Five Arches has started."