A SOUTHEND pensioner has become one of just a handful of runners to reach the incredible milestone of completing 500 parkrun’s.

Mick Staines, 75, took part in the milestone run at his home parkrun at Garons Park, Southend. 

Only 360 people in the world have completed the feat, in which on average almost half a million people run each week worldwide.

Mick, who did his first parkrun on June 26, 2010, said he is proud to reach this very special milestone.

He said: “When I first started there weren’t any parkruns in Essex, so I did my first one in Yarmouth.

“I started running in my 40s after I stopped playing football, and so I thought I would give the parkrun a try.

“I used to race other races too, and I enjoyed running.

“I haven’t looked back since, I have now done parkruns in England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland, as well as 135 different parkrun routes across the UK.

“My homerun is Southend, so of course I did my 500th parkrun there, it was very enjoyable.

“There wasn’t as many people as usual though, as it was a very cold day.

“I am very proud of myself to reach 500, and my times aren’t too bad for my age either.”

A parkrun is a collection of 5km events for walkers, runners and volunteers which take place every Saturday morning at more than 2,000 locations in 23 countries across six continents.

Mick averages around 26 to 27 minutes for each parkrun at aged 75.

He urged everyone to get involved.

Mick said: “parkruns are the best thing.

“It doesn’t matter how fast you are, or how slow you are, it is the community spirit.

“I recommend for anybody to do it, you can even walk too, or if you can’t take part, you can volunteer.

“It is a good thing to do each Saturday morning, keep fit, and make friends.

“My aim is to keep going, as I still hope to be running a parkrun at 100 years old. That would be amazing.”