Throngs of fitness fanatics dusted down their running gear and limbered up for their first Parkrun since the start of the Covid pandemic.

It has been 16 months since the weekly fitness ritual was pulled, with hundreds missing out on taking part in organised 5km runs across Kent.

But now, after the lifting of Covid restrictions on Monday, outdoor sports event can resume, with Parkrun fans capitalising on their new-found freedoms in Folkestone, Maidstone, Sittingbourne, Whitstable, Minster on Sheppey, Walmer and Deal, Canterbury, Ashford and Margate.

"I flipping loved being back at Parkrun. It was such a treat to see so many friends and acquaintances again," Jae Hopkins said.

"I woke up to thunder and lightning this morning, but it was absolutely glorious for the run."

Hundreds of people have posted mid-run selfies, videos, photo-finishes and celebrations with their favourite post-training tipple on social media.

Since launching in 2004, it has grown to over 2,000 weekly locations across 22 countries, with 7 million registered members.

With the spread of the disease largely being down to droplet and aerosol transmission, all participants and volunteers are asked to undergo a self-assessment for any Covid-19 symptoms.

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