Coronavirus: 'Strava art' keeps parkrunners motivated

One runner created the shape of a shark during their run

Runners have been creating virtual animal shapes as they try to keep motivation levels up in the absence of their weekly parkrun.

Chelmsford Central parkrun challenged participants to create shapes using the exercise and route-sharing app Strava.

About a dozen people have shared their routes, including outlines of a shark, turtle and dog.

Samantha Chambers, who has done more than 100 parkruns, said it had helped "refocus" her running during lockdown.

The parkrun regular said it had taken some forward planning before she headed out for runs.

"You end up staring at a map for some time thinking, 'can I make a shape out of that?'," she said.

Before lockdown the Chelmsford Central parkrun would normally have about 800 runners take part each week

Mother-of-four Ms Chambers added: "I've found running quite difficult during this time, not having that motivation.

"Once a week, every Saturday morning, I was going down to parkrun, and I really love going because of the whole community feel, it's just lovely and I really miss it so when they set this challenge, it gave me something to refocus my running on."

• Coronavirus: Live updates from across the East of England

• Running club's challenges 'boost mental health'

• Runners create reindeer and sleigh on map app

Chelmsford Central parkrun would normally have 800 people take part each week and is regularly in the top 10 in the UK for attendance.

The "Strava art" has helped keep runners motivated while parkruns have not been on

About a dozen people have shared their routes so far

Organisers do not know when parkruns will return but Chelmsford Central's event director Gerry McGovern said it was hoped the "Strava art" challenge would help keep its runners going until they resume.

"It's just trying to keep people motivated and it's quite imaginative and good fun," he said.

• THE R NUMBER: What it means and why it matters

• AIR TRAVELLERS: The new quarantine rules

• LOOK-UP TOOL: How many cases in your area?

• RECOVERY: How long does it take to get better?