THERE was a record-breaking turnout for the Parkrun at Queen Elizabeth Country Park on New Year’s Day.

An impressive 424 people ran, jogged and walked the course, including 150 first timers. Thirty-nine people recorded new personal bests.

James Baker won the event in a time of 17min 11secs.

Visitors travelled from far and wide and came from Hedge End, Winchester, Hinckley, Leicestershire, Wimborne, Bideford, Bristol, St Albans, Basingstoke, Reading, Clapham, Farnborough, Kent, Peterborough and Gloucester.

The event was made possible by 18 volunteers. They were Marie Wiles, James Leighton, Beth Pirie, Kevin McTaggart, Dwayne Bartram, Penny Johnstone, Duncan Johnstone, Peter Bond, Jack Bartram, Neil Store, Tanya Roberts, Matthew Hanlon, Andrea Budden, Justin Fielder, John Roberts, Michael Ehrlich, Jan Bosch and Alexandra Nightingale.

On Saturday, Queen Elizabeth Country Park Parkrun was back to its usual participant levels as 115 people ran, jogged and walked the course.

Twenty-two were first timers and 13 recorded new personal bests.

The first finisher was Mike Newnham, who crossed the line in a time of 19min 28secs.

The first female runner home was Caroline Brown, who finished in fourth place overall in 22min 01secs.

The first junior runner home was Marcus Taylor, who finished in eighth place overall in a time of 22min 38secs.

Visitors came from Aylesbury, Staffordshire, and a large number from Watford.

The event was made possible by 12 volunteers who helped out on the day. They were Dwayne Bartram, Jamie Lewis, Joel Lewis, Harry Woodroof, Tom Russell, Tanya Roberts, John Roberts, Donna Flannagan, Megan Russell, Abigail Riches, Ben Riches and Alexandra Nightingale.