FAMILY doctors will take over one of the first Parkruns of the New Year in Keighley.

GPs and other health professionals will descend on Cliffe Castle Park for the weekly running event on Saturday, January 12.

As they join runners who regularly take part in the Parkrun, their aim is to encourage patients across the town to become more active in 2019.

Bill Graham, a spokesman for the GPs, said: “Come down and meet local GPs and health professionals who can advise you on suitable activites to take part in. We can do on the spot blood pressure tests and monitor heart rates.

“We will have lots of information about the amazing groups and sessions that are available in Airedale - you don’t have to run or walk, but it would be great for your health to take part in something positive in 2019!”

Keighley GP practices involved in the initiative include Ling House, North Street, and the Modality Partnership practices Holycroft, Farfield, Kilmeny, Haworth, Oakworth and Long Lee.”

Parkrun is a worldwide movement that involves thousands of 5 km runs open to anyone, with free entry, at the same time every week. There are currently almost 550 Parkruns each week in the UK.

Volunteers in each area arrange the runs in pleasant parkland surroundings and aim to get people of every ability to take part, from beginners to people training for the Olympics.

The first Parkruns in Keighley were held over the past couple of years in Lund Park, aimed at children, in the hope of finding enough participants and organisers to run the official weekly races.

Keighley’s first official Parkrun took place in September, attracting more than 450 people to Cliffe Castle Park. They take place at 9am every Saturday.

After the inaugural Keighley event, directors David and Carol Senior were approached by local GPs who wanted to include the Parkrun as part of their health and fitness programmes.

Among those present at the first event was Keighley MP John Grogan.