The weekly run has seen runners of all ages set out and run or walk five kilometres around the university. 

Parkrun in Armidale was the 80th one in the country when it began in July 2014.

Event director Dale Murray set the local run up to encourage members in the community to get out and get fit in a friendly environment. 

Murray will stand down as event director after Saturday’s event and said he was proud of the way it had taken off in Armidale and the way the had community embraced it. 

“It has grown incredibly,” he said.

“It is going very well.

“The first one we had about 168 on our launch day. 

“On  launch day there were a lot of Parkrun tourists that come so that inflated our figures a bit.” 

Since its inception, 8,152 runners have crossed the finish line with children as young as four taking part. 

The local Parkrun event currently has more than 2,000 runners registered with an average of 134.4 turning up each week. 

Armidale can also lay claim to having the first Parkrun event held within the grounds of a university in the world. 

Murray said what drew people into participating in the event was the support they receive from fellow runners. 

 “People get involved because it is an all-inclusive event,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter what your ability is at running or walking. 

“You can either run it or you can walk it.

“Everyone is encouraged to participate.

 “It is a real sense of community, it is a sense of encouragement and also, it is a free event. 

“It is not the Olympics, it is just a community event where we are all encouraged by each other and that is why Parkrun is so successful. 

“We just encourage everyone, whether they are at the front, the middle or the back.

“Everyone encourages one another and that is the great thing about Parkrun.”

The Parkrun commences at 8am every Saturday. 

To register visit http:// www.parkrun.com.au/armidale/.