The Wānaka Parkrun is a 5km run, open-to-all event that has been held each week since February, 2018.
The 250th run saw 95 participants and 11 volunteers gather at Wānaka Station Park at 8am. Saturday’s winner and parkrun enthusiast Ben Grant said the event had numerous benefits.
"It’s really good for physical health, mental health and wellbeing," he said.
"It is a really nice sense of community and it is all run by volunteers which is awesome."
Wānaka parkrun director Katy Macpherson said the event was very positive and the turnout was great.
"Beautiful setting, beautiful day, awesome community," Ms Macpherson said.
"Loads of people doing it for the first time and lots of tourists from Bristol to Brisbane to Blenheim."
Mr Grant said he thought social isolation was an issue in society today and these runs were a good way to counter that.
"Populations are higher than ever but I think people are keeping to themselves more,
"So forcing yourself out for a run, you don’t have to talk to anybody here but you naturally end up doing so."
He said he had taken part in 150 parkrun events between Australia, New Zealand, Wales, the United Kingdom and Scotland.
"It was one of my favourite ever parkruns," he said.
"I actually slowed down and looked at how beautiful it was.
Normally I’m trying to go as fast as I possibly can and it was just a really different and positive experience. So slow is the new aim."
The Aspiring Medical Centre doctor encouraged people to attend parkruns.
"I recommend people come down ... and see what it’s all about.
"It’s like social medicine recently."
— Milo Long, PIJF Cadet reporter
