Northampton parkrun 'king', 83, cheered on 250th race

An 83-year-old man known as the "king of the Northampton Parkrun" received huge cheers from fellow runners as he completed his 250th race.

Bob Emmerson started taking part in the event, on the Racecourse, in Northampton, five years ago.

He was applauded as he crossed the line during the weekend's 5km (3.1-mile) jog with a time of 44 minutes and 12 seconds - his 250th out of 260 held at the Racecourse.

"It really makes you a bit embarrassed that so many people think I've done something special," he said.

"I've made so many friends. That is one of the reasons I come."

Mr Emmerson, whose personal best time is 33 minutes and 41 seconds, said he "used to be able to run quite well" but added that these days he was "just an old jogger".

He first started running aged 15 "when the 1948 Olympics were on" and began taking it more seriously at the age of 45, he said.

So what is next for this octogenarian running machine?

"I'm going to take 50 [runs] at a time. We'll go for 300 and see how we go."