People taking part in the weekly Ipswich parkrun have clocked up more than 80,000km since the event launched nearly two years ago, a distance equal to circumnavigating the world – twice.

Organisers of the popular 5km event, currently based in Chantry Park, have hailed the latest milestone, saying it shows how popular the project has continued to be.

The parkrun initiative was started 10 years ago and began in Ipswich after the 2012 Olympics in London. Scores of people now take part in it every week.

Rory Marriott, event director, said: “It has been going unbelievably well.

“The first navigation took 15 months and the second one was done in just under eight months. It shows how much it has increased and the sheer volume of people now taking part in the event, which is fantastic to see.”

The second navigation milestone was reached at the end of last month and has come ahead of the initiative’s 100th run and its second anniversary.

In addition to the successes of the Ipswich parkrun, a junior parkrun is now being organised in the town and at the end of next month, a parkrun in Kesgrave is due to launch.

Ipswich borough councillor Alasdair Ross added: “The weekly Ipswich parkrun is a fantastic example of what can be achieved by working together and this is a great achievement for everyone involved.

“The volunteers that make this event happen in Chantry Park are crucial and really motivating, without them hundreds of people would not have been able to enjoy the weekly exercise sessions and some have gone on from the Saturday 5k to bigger and more inspiring running achievements too.”

The Ipswich parkrun meets at Chantry Park every Saturday, with the run beginning at 9am.

Mr Marriott added: “We really are inclusive.

“It doesn’t matter how long it takes someone to complete the 5k, we will be there for them and they will get as big a cheer as anyone else.”