BRIDPORT Runners have started the new running season with their first Club Championship, encouraging members to take part in at least four out of a selection of 14 different races all over the south west.

The races cover different distances from a 5k parkrun to a 10k multi-terrain race and a street half-marathon.

First one on the list was last Saturday’s Weymouth parkrun, a quick 5k race.

Eight members kicked off the season with competing in the Weymouth parkrun.

Fastest Bridport Runner and second overall in a field of 383 runners was Ben Renshaw in a time of 17 minutes, 39 seconds.

New members are welcome to visit the club, participate in the weekly training session, prove their competitiveness in the new Club Championship or join Bridport Runners on their other activities.

Members have to enter at least four out of 14 races in the south west which take place between now and November and count towards an overall leaderboard.

Winners in different categories will be awarded at the club’s Christmas party.

The championship rounds up the plans of Bridport Runners’ already busy year.

They will be launching their ninth ‘From Couch to 5k’ in the spring – a six weeks’ session for total beginners and anyone who wants to get back into running.

From May to September, the internal 5k series will be taking place with a timed 5k race in West Bay every last Wednesday of a month. While on August 12, the sixth edition of the ‘Bridport Jurassic Coast Run’ will start once more from West Bay.

These are a 10k and a half-marathon race which have, for the first time, being given the status of a fell race according to the rules of the Fell Race Association.