It was celebration time in Greenhead Park.
And as hundreds enjoyed an extra special parkrun through the historic park, the message was: “Here’s to the next 200”.
The Huddersfield event saw its 200th run attempted by 581 people, many of them in fancy dress for the landmark event.
The parkrun in Huddersfield has grown to be one of the biggest and best in Britain and has also spawned a hugely-successful junior version.
This weekend, many hundreds are again expected to pack into the Park for Saturday’s parkrun over a 5km course and Sunday’s junior version, over a 2km course.
Hosted by Huddersfield parkrun, the anniversary event saw a flamingo, a runner in a three- piece suit, tutus and bunny ears among the sea of festivities and balloons at the timed workout just before the race start.
Regular runner Dave Watson, of Holmfirth Harriers, was first across the line 16:18 minutes. It was his 63rd first place in the 80 parkruns he has done. His personal best is 15:44 minutes.
But organisers are quick to stress that it’s not all about the serious athletes.
Many of those who run do so purely for fun.
A staggering 7,109 runners have taken part in the 200 runs, travelling from all across the world and amassing 64,210 runs between them.
Double heart attack survivor Sean Doyle, 47, from Brockholes was amongst the crowd for the 200th run. Sean , a father of two, survived a double heart attack after collapsing at Huddersfield’s parkrun in May 2013.
The keen runner was incredibly lucky as he happened to be surrounded by a host of medical professionals who were also doing the Greenhead Park run.
And his good fortune continued after he was the first person saved by blood oxygenation equipment that Huddersfield Royal Infirmary had only purchased a few days before his brush with death.
Sean said: “I’m so proud of all of what Huddersfield parkrun has achieved and the good folks who picked me up off the tarmac gave me a third chance at life.”
Huddersfield parkrun event director, Simon Brass, started the proceedings and gave the runners his “unique” encouragements on the laps around the park.
Simon said: “It’s truly humbling to be part of such an amazing event.
“There is a real family atmosphere in the park every week, and it’s lovely to be able to make everyone feel welcome no matter their speed, age or background.”
The parkrun starts every Saturday at 9am in Greenhead Park and will be celebrating its fourth birthday on April 4.
