It's back!

Much to the delight of fitness fans across the county, popular parkrun events have resumed.

Alike many other sports, the runs were cancelled during the coronavirus pandemic to ensure public safety.

But now as restrictions ease, events are once again being held across the country, with many new and old participants getting back on the track.

Many people took to running during lockdown - perhaps trying it for the first time or taking in part in virtual challenges.

The Prudhoe Riverside parkrun has now made its comeback and here, we take a look back at its highlights. Hexham also stages an event weekly.

Director of Prudhoe parkrun Holly Kelleher told the Courant: "You can run, jog or walk.

"We have people in buggies or pushing prams. It is a timed run, but you are only competing with yourself at whatever level you want.

"The organisers have spent hours ensuring that runners will be safe. We have taken every precaution possible."

In June in a joint statement, directors of public health at the seven North-East authorities - including Northumberland - threw their support behind the resumption of the social sporting gatherings.

They said: "We’re pleased to be able to support the return of parkrun events.

"We all welcome the return of events that have been lost to the pandemic, but we still have a duty to stay safe and minimise the further spread of the virus.”

Junior parkruns have not yet resumed but are expected to soon.