ONE of York’s fastest growing running groups celebrates its third birthday next month.

A spokesman for parkrun, Stephen Wilson, said it had come a long way since being launched in January 2012, regularly attracting more than 300 runners of all abilities.

York parkrun is a 5km run with participants running against the clock every Saturday from 9am at York Racecourse. It is free to join but people are asked to register before their first run.

“It really has a great, inclusive, community spirit and I’m sure has made York a fitter city overall,” he said.

“We’ve had a special Christmas Day parkrun and have another special run on New Year’s Day at the later time of 10am to allow recovery from the previous evening’s excesses.”

The group will celebrate the anniversary on Knavesmire at 9am on January 10.

For more information, go to parkrun.org.uk/york.