AN INTERNATIONAL running event which has exploded in popularity is to be introduced at Towneley Park, in Burnley, this weekend.

Parkrun is a weekly, timed 5km run designed to offer a free, non-commercial event for all levels of runners.

Burnley Council’s sport and play development team has decided to bring the first Parkrun to Burnley, with the inaugural run this Saturday at 9am.

Each Parkrun event is run entirely by volunteers, who give their time freely, time the runners, process the results, and clear away afterwards.

To assist the volunteers, Parkrun headquarters provides computer equipment, timing devices, barcode readers, signs, and the web hosting of the results.

Coun John Harbour, executive member for leisure and culture, said: “This is a great initiative, and we’re really pleased that we are now able to offer this event for the people of Burnley and surrounding areas.

"It is the perfect opportunity in the Olympics year for people to get active, for free, and in one of our award-winning parks.”

To take part, runners need to register on the website at www.parkrun.com They will then receive a unique barcode to take to each run.

Paul Foster, leisure development manager for Burnley Council said: “It has proved extremely popular all over the country, and we are lucky to have the perfect setting for it in Towneley Park.

“Anyone can take part – people training for events, inexperienced runners wanting to get more involved, or athletes looking to improve their times.

“All you have to do is be at the playground, at Riverside car park, Towneley Park, before 9am on Saturdays.”

All runners who sign up to Park-run will be emailed results on the same day, and sent weekly newsletters.