Runners will lace up their trainers for the 200th time tomorrow as part of a national phenomenon which has proved a hit in Workington.

Parkrun organises free timed 5k runs every week all over the country, with 4,371 clubs in 449 locations.

The Workington club started in 2013 and has grown from about 40 runners to almost 200 at its peak, with people from all over the West Cumbrian coast taking part.

Tomorrow will be its 200th run since starting and co-event director Shaun Cavanagh hopes its popularity will see it easily reach another 200.

Shaun said: "The key thing is that it's a run, not a race.

"It's grown from ground level by word of mouth and is something that's there for everybody to come and enjoy.

"We get ankle-biters and people in their eighties running, that's the spectrum of age.

"It's massively positive and everyone's got a smile on their face."

The club first started working with the leisure centre at Moorclose, running along the cycle path towards Whitehaven and back.

The opening of the new leisure centre in the town centre has led to a new route being created, with runners meeting at the bottom of Calva Brow by the River Derwent at 9am every Saturday.

The event is run by volunteers and caters for everyone from seasoned marathon runners to people who just want to get off the sofa.

Shaun added: "While it doesn't do anything to put off really super runners, it definitely reaches out to those who are getting back into it or trying it for the first time.

"We make sure we break down those barriers so if you need to walk, you walk.

"There have been so many heart-warming stories which have emerged from our club about people making that first step who want to manage their weight, have had health problems or just want the company and reassurance of a community."

Shaun stressed the social side of the event was crucial, with runners often sharing a coffee and a slice of cake afterwards while they have a catch-up.