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'Why I've taken part in almost 300 Parkruns'

Jo Yarnall A woman wearing a yellow Parkrun vest and a multi-coloured striped t-shirt and leggings kneels in front of a purple Parkrun sign saying Zielony Jar, on a concrete floor in front of a graffitied wallJo Yarnall
Jo Yarnall has even travelled to Poland in an attempt to run a Parkrun for every letter of the alphabet

A woman is set to complete her 300th Parkrun next weekend, having taking part in an event starting with every letter of the alphabet - apart from one.

Jo Yarnall from Aldridge did her first Parkrun in May 2012 at Walsall Arboretum, after being convinced by her running club, and it is where she will complete her 300th next Saturday.

Ms Yarnall even travelled to Poland to complete the Zielony Jar event, ticking off Z from her list of alphabet Parkruns.

The only letter she has been unable to do is X, as she said there was no Parkrun beginning with that letter.

Jo Yarnall Two women and a man stand on a beach in running gear, with one of the women holding the lead to a small brown dog. They stand next to a purple Parkrun sign saying Y Promenâd, AbermawJo Yarnall
Jo Yarnall took part in a Parkrun in Barmouth, to tick off the letter Y on her Parkrun alphabet

For the tricky letter Y, she ran the Y Promenâd, Abermaw event in Barmouth.

Excluding the letter X, Ms Yarnall finished her Parkrun alphabet in April this year at the Jersey Farm near London.

Completing the alphabet has brought another element of fun to the Parkruns for the 56-year-old, who also loves to dress up in costumes for the events.

Speaking about why she loves Parkruns, Ms Yarnall told BBC Radio WM: "It's just the taking part that counts, there are so many wonderful people and it's a lovely lovely feeling."

Jo Yarnall A woman dressed as Princess Leia in a white flowing top, with her hair in two big buns at the side of her head, holding a blue toy lightsaber, which is crossed with a red lightsaber held by a man next to her in black clothing. They stand in front of the river and a row of red brick buildingsJo Yarnall
Jo Yarnall dressed as Princess Leia from Star Wars for the Shrewsbury Parkrun

When Aldridge Running Club convinced her to go to her first Parkrun in 2012, Ms Yarnall was initially hesitant.

"At the time I thought what's this getting up on a Saturday morning [for], what's this all about, there's no medal involved," she said.

"As soon as I went and met people there I realised the importance of the community and how important Parkrun is and meeting other like-minded people.

"The Parkrun community welcomes people of all abilities, it's a great way to make friends, it's a great way to get exercise, it's good for your mind, and it's good for your health."

Ms Yarnall also loves how anyone who is completing their first Parkrun will get a round of applause at the end.

Jo Yarnall A woman jumps in the air in pink clothing, with a pink inflatable flamingo ring around her waistJo Yarnall
Dressed up as a flamingo for a Parkrun in the Walsall Arboretum

For her 299th Parkrun at the Epworth Equestrian Parkrun, Ms Yarnall and her friend will complete the event with hobby horses and equestrian hats.

She has previously dressed as a dinosaur, a flamingo, Princess Leia, and Mickey Mouse.

"I love dressing up, any excuse, it doesn't take much for me to go in fancy dress," she laughed.

Listen on BBC Sounds: Graham Staplehurst welcomes about 250 runners to Edgbaston Reservoir most weekends

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