Radstock's own Five Arches parkrun enjoyed its 17th event since starting in September.

After an additional event held on New Year's Day, supplementing the weekly Saturday runs, some of the core team of volunteers had really earnt a weekend off.

Thankfully, local running club Somer AC volunteered to step in, organising a friendly takeover of the event on 6th January.

In the cold, Somer clubmates wrapped up warm and took on many of the roles behind running a successful event. They efficiently marshalled the Greenway course to ensure that runners were aware of pedestrians, dogs and cyclists so that the path was shared safely, as well as managing timing and results collation.

So many volunteered to support, it allowed some clubmate to run the course with Somer speedster Tyler Maule leading the field of 207 runners home.

Many local residents completed the weekly, free 5km run as New Year commitments to healthier lifestyles began to be fulfilled.

They were joined by many visitors; Parkrun tourism is a well established phenomenon with one person flying in from Ireland, staying overnight in Radstock. Runners from across the West joined locals in post run coffees and more, providing the local cafes in Radstock and Midsomer Norton with valuable post-Christmas trade.

Somer AC's volunteers stayed until the final runner had their time recorded, closing the week's event and then heading for warmth.

Do you want to kickstart your running journey through their Couch to 5k course? Perhaps parkrun has inspired you or your children to develop your skills further? Somer AC would love you to contact them at [email protected] or via their Facebook or Instagram pages.