MORE than 1,000 athletes put on their Christmas clothes and running shoes to take part in parkrun events held over the Christmas weekend.

With events taking place in Bryn Bach, Cwmbran, Newport and Pontypool on Christmas Eve, 875 runners attended the four events on Christmas Eve, before their family festivities or last minute Christmas shopping.

On Christmas Day, just two events were held, but 281 runners stepped out in Newport and Pontypool.

Among the many first-timers over the weekend was Torfaen MP Nick Thomas-Symonds, who took part in one of the two events in Cwmbran on Saturday.

“I’m a bit tired but I thoroughly enjoyed it,” said Mr Thomas-Symonds afterwards.

“I came for the anniversary of parkrun earlier in the year and I promised then to do the event.”

In addition to completing his first timed-5k run, the MP also raised money for charity.

“I wanted to raise money for a good cause and I chose the charity Bowel Cancer UK,” he said.

“It is the fourth most common cancer in the UK and it is one of those cancers for which the survival rate depends so much on the point at which the cancer is discovered.”

“We want of course to get earlier diagnosis and the best treatment possible.

“I’ve managed to raise hundreds of pounds through this event alone for that cause and I am delighted to be able to that with support fantastic support,” the MP added.

According to his personal timing equipment, Mr Thomas-Symonds clocked 31 minutes and 22 seconds, but his official time was 33 minutes and 24 seconds, finishing in 136th place of 175 runners.

The MP said he was pleased with his progress.

“The first time I actually tried to do 5k nine weeks ago, it took me 48 minutes which is not good and virtually walking pace,” he added.

“You can see the distance that I’ve come in that time. In the new year, perhaps in the early spring around February or March, I will attempt the Pontypool course.”

“It was wonderful to run alongside a number of my constituents too.

“It seems to me that parkrun is almost like a family and when I’ve been previously and watched rather than participated, I’ve always been struck be the camaraderie of everyone who does it.

“Everyone has been so friendly and encouraging, both at the start and along the course, and the marshals were great as well.”

Event organiser Fiona Cross said she was glad to see the MP make good on his promise.

“For him to be so inspired by our anniversary event that he actually committed to coming to run, and doing it for charity as well, is amazing and brilliant,” she added.

“Hopefully he’ll continue to be an ambassador for us.

“I’m sure he’ll be the first to admit that he’s not a natural runner, and he’s proving to people that you can actually go from nothing to being successful.

“You can sit on the sofa and want things to change, but until you get up and make things change, nothing will.

“You need to make that decision to get out of the door.”

“That’s the thing about parkrun too, there’s no pressure and it’s not a race.

“It is just a case of coming along and giving it a go.”

“And what you find is you make friends along the way, and start to believe in yourself,” said Ms Cross.