A SUPERHERO made a special appearance at Newent parkrun on Saturday (October 24), as one runner celebrated her 40th birthday in style.

Vicky marked her milestone birthday by dressing as Superman, complete with a flowing cape and a large birthday badge, joining friends for the 614th edition of the popular weekly event.

She was among 70 participants who tackled the course, with the field featuring an equal split of 35 men and 35 women.

Despite concerns about the weather, conditions improved in time for the runners to enjoy the challenging route around the school grounds.

Peter Stephens was the first male finisher, completing the course in an impressive 16 minutes and 50 seconds, earning an age grade of 84.26 per cent.

Gemma Brennan was the first female finisher, recording a new personal best of 24 minutes and six seconds.

Three runners achieved personal bests, with Simeon Daniels and Sarah McCarthy joining Brennan in celebrating improved times.

The event also welcomed 30 first-time visitors, including participants travelling from Birmingham, Newcastle, Oxford, Bristol, London and even New Zealand.

Visiting runner Charlotte Norridge, who wrote the event report, praised the welcoming atmosphere and highlighted the friendliness of regular participant Adrian Dover.

She described the course as having a mixture of cross-country and trail-running characteristics, with uneven terrain providing an additional challenge.

Norridge also revealed a personal connection to the venue, explaining that her mother had attended the school where the event takes place.

Ben Whittaker and Mandy Neufeld joined Stephens among the leading age-grade performers.

A team of 16 volunteers helped make the morning possible, supporting participants around the course and at the finish.

Organisers thanked everyone involved for contributing to another successful Saturday morning of running in Newent.

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