PICTURES: Elgin parkrun takeover in tribute to former Moray Road Runners champion runner
One of the biggest fields in Elgin parkrun history turned out in force to pay tribute to a local running legend.
Saturday's 5k event round the Cooper Park was taken over for the day by Hereford Couriers Running Club, home club of former RAF Lossiemouth serviceman Jon Ward who made Moray his home later in his life.
Jon was an RAF corporal who was a supreme runner at all distances and he had completed 100 marathons.
Sadly, he died in June 2020 just days before he was due to run with friends and family in the 100-mile Moray Way.
Friends north and south of the border joined last weekend in honour of their former colleague.
The race included the virtual option for the Jon Ward Memorial 5k race that Hereford Couriers organise each year.
Jon was a member of Moray Road Runners and last week's Elgin parkrun was taken over by members who took on volunteer roles at the Saturday morning fun event.
Many more were among the runners on the day and were joined by friends from Jon's home area of Hereford.
Clubs such as the Shropshire Shufflers, Lincoln Wellington AC and the Couriers were represented among a bumper field of 227 runners.
One of Jon's friends, Hereford visitor Jonathan Edwards said: "Thank you to all the Moray Road Runners at Elgin parkrun for making us feel so welcome this morning, it was fantastic to meet so many of you.
"You did a brilliant job and l’m sure Jon would have been blown away by the amazing support. We love hearing all the stories and sharing our memories."
Visiting athlete Alexander Hamilton from Basingstoke & Mid Hants AC won the race in a time of 17 minutes, 38 seconds.