Staffordshire welcomed its newest parkrun on Saturday (29 November) as Perton Playing Fields hosted its inaugural 5K event, attracting 138 finishers despite wet and slippery conditions. The launch marks a milestone for the county, as every local authority area in Staffordshire now has at least one Saturday morning parkrun.

The course follows two laps around the perimeter of Perton Playing Fields in Wolverhampton, combining grass, gravel, paved paths and a woodland trail, before finishing with an extra 400 metre stretch on grass. Runners and walkers set off from the Pavilion and enjoyed a route that mixes open field sections with a sheltered trail through the trees.

The weather did little to dampen the enthusiasm of the 36 volunteers who helped stage the debut event, many of whom took on multiple roles to ensure everything ran smoothly. Participants also brought a celebratory spirit, with several marking personal milestones. Sarah Fellows completed her 100th parkrun alongside her 50th volunteer stint, while Nicola James celebrated her 50th different event venue and Rob Foster completed his 100th different venue. Richard Wortley was first finisher in 19:49, with Stacey Hawkins leading the women home in 22:18.

The event team is already looking ahead to future Saturdays and is encouraging anyone interested to join the volunteer roster. One of the organisers said they were proud of the friendly, welcoming atmosphere and keen to build a strong foundation in the early weeks of the event. As with all parkruns, participants and volunteers rounded off their morning with a post-run coffee at Burgy’s Cafe and Coffee Lounge.

If you'd like to know more, visit the parkrun website.

Image: Perton Playing Fields parkrun Facebook