A RECORD- breaking attendance ensured Thurrock Park Run's 500th today (Saturday, 15 August) was a memorable event.

Regular runners and visitors turned up at Orsett Heath in droves.

Local runner Graham Twigg arrived home from today's event feeling creative and penned this poem about today's event:

It was Saturday 15th August,

Time for another Parkrun,

Volunteers had got there early,

To set up bunting and balloons in the sun,

Lots of runners kept arriving,

The busiest run by far

Some had walked or cycled,

Whilst others came in their car,

This was Parkrun 500 for Thurrock,

A really great milestone to make,

They'd gone the extra mile,

With cookies and plenty of cake,

A lot of stretching and chatting,

The time now approaching nine,

The run director saying some words,

Whilst the runners await at the line,

They did the birthdays and milestones,

The atmosphere was great,

All the first timers had been briefed

and then for the final wait,

The eager runners all ready to go,

With achievements they wanted to make,

Some were running just for fun

and some had times to break,

There were those who ran it with their dogs

and those who enjoyed the walk,

Whatever the reason for running,

Making friends or wanting to talk,

The Parkrun gives so much to many,

Whether you run it fast or slow,

It's there for us all to take part and enjoy,

At nine when the starter shouts go.

There were 346 who finished

and plenty of personal bests,

There were quite a few first timers who took part

and lots of regulars made up the rest,

Another great Thurrock Parkrun,

We say thanks to the volunteers,

Who keep this event occurring

and have done so over the years.