Having completed his 500th parkrun at Great Lines parkrun on Saturday, KSN’s Darrell Harman looks back on 13 years of running 5km.

I started my journey down in Whitstable on the 5th of January 2013 when a colleague asked me if I would like to try this new run, I said yes and since then I have continued to do most Saturdays.

As stated I did my first at Whitstable and then went to Maidstone River Park (which I helped set up by volunteering).

I then went to the Great Lines Heritage Park and have stayed there. I have been a tourist on a few occasions but in reality I prefer the Great Lines Heritage Park.

Saturday was my 500th and on a freezing morning the questions asked was why am I doing this and the easy answer is the people here are so friendly and make you welcome.

The run starts at nine o’clockish after the run director has done his deed and today was Dan Gower-Smith, three, two, one, go and off I went, I was running with a few friends, we reached the first corner and was met with a few of the volunteers cheering us on, I then went along the grass to the next corner and I had a lot of people congratulating me on my milestone.

I then carried on and then went up the Alps (up the hill), again people were congratulating me and the volunteers were cheering me on (they are the best).

I then went round the monument and then behind it, again with the volunteers cheering everyone on. I then turned up the path and again we were all cheered.

The run then went towards the school and down the grass, then we hit the path down to the finishing area but one more lap to go.

As I went down to the corner I usually have a little jig for one of the volunteers then have a laugh with the next volunteer.

I then went up the grass towards the path and again up the Alps, again we turn right and go past the memorial where the volunteers are still cheering us on.

I then go halfway along the path before turning up the path. Once up the top of the path we are on the way home. We go down past the school and then we have the last 250 metres approx before we finish. 

I went through the finishing line and again the volunteers said well done on my milestone. I think the theme is that the volunteers are great and we would not have a parkrun, also the people who run are so friendly and I have made some great friends in the process so what I am saying is on Saturday mornings find your local parkrun and give it a go whether you run fast, slow like me or walk it is great for you mentally and for your health.

Picture supplied by Great Lines parkrun.