FOR a long time I looked at joggers with a degree of disdain; how do they show such a public exhibition of fitness and in lycra, too?

Haven’t they read all the stuff about the damage that running can do to your knees etc…..?

A while ago, like many of you, I presume, I decided to try and get fitter.

Initially, I was encouraged to do so by the need to raise sponsorship funds for my son’s Explorer group visit to Iceland.

I ran 5km in over 33 minutes and nearly passed out at the finish. Somehow I managed to catch the running bug.

I believe this scenario is fairly common to headteachers who seem to relish the opportunity to pound out the miles, sweating away the stress as they go.

For 18 months I have been running three times a week.

Not long distances but enough to see my 5k times come tumbling down.

On New Year’s Day I ran my fastest ever 5k in 27 minutes 41 seconds at the Chipping Sudbury parkrun.

Alcohol is apparently good for running - who knew?

I run every week at the Worcester parkrun.

On Christmas Eve, the mayor started the event and more than 750 runners completed the course.

I was horrified when I heard that a council near Bristol were going to charge parkrunners for the use of a park.

Like many, I could pay to complete a parkrun but one of the reasons I get out of bed early on a Saturday to take part is exactly because it is a free community event, marshalled by volunteers and I almost feel obliged to take part.

Parkrun is, for me, a true community or, to use the ‘newspeak’, a big society activity.

I urge all to give it a go.