Thousands of people have been supported to keep active at local parkruns over almost 13 years.

During June those giving up their own time to organise the now four local parkruns were celebrated as part of National Volunteer Week.

This area has four 5km parkrun events, open to those aged four and above, at Manor Park in Mansfield Woodhouse, Brierley Forest in Huthwaite, Sherwood Pines, and Vicar Water Country Park in Clipstone. They take place every Saturday at 9am.

parkrun volunteers at Brierley Forest (above), Sherwood Pines (below) and Berry Hill (top).

Vicar Water Country Park parkrun volunteers.

There are also two shorter 2km junior events, just for 4-14 year-olds, at Sutton Lawn and Berry Hill Park in Mansfield, on Sundays at 9am.

The parkruns have all been a volunteering success story since the first one launched in Manor Park in September 2012.

Since then, 3,358 different people have volunteered at the various events, carrying out a combined total of 25,838 different roles.

They have supported 50,132 different people to be physically active outdoors on 1,597 occasions, which had major health and economic impacts for the community.

Darren Whitworth, volunteer event director at Vicar Water Country Park parkrun, said everyone in the community is invited to give parkrun volunteering a try.

“parkrun is all about having fun in a relaxed and welcoming environment,” he said. “All the volunteer roles are super simple and there are a wide variety of opportunities, from welcoming first-timers and marshaling on the course to handing out tokens as people finish.

“We even have volunteers during the week, for example, who co-ordinate our volunteer roster and post on our social media channels. Our volunteer roster is never full and there is a role to suit everyone.”

parkrun is a UK-based global health and wellbeing charity, and events are free and open to anyone. People can walk or run the course, support their community as volunteers, or simply spectate and socialise. parkrunners can push a pram; take their dog on a short, hand-held lead; or take part with their family.

There is no time limit and no-one finishes last, thanks to volunteer ‘tail walkers’ who provide support and encouragement on the course.

A spokesperson added: “Every volunteer’s contribution matters and is recognised through volunteer milestones.

“These milestones celebrate the act of showing up and helping the community, whether it’s 25 times or 1,000 times.”

These events in and around Mansfield are part of more than 800 5km parkruns and 450 junior parkruns across the UK, with more than 580,000 different people volunteering at the free weekly events since the first in 2004.

parkrun founder Paul Sinton-Hewitt said: “Our volunteers give so much to parkrun and to the Mansfield area events.

“Along with our partners, funders, landowners, and those who are able to donate, they help to keep parkrun free, for everyone, forever. Thank you to each and every volunteer.”