May 4th Star Wars Parkrun in Bradford.
The weekly run in Bradford held a special edition today, on ‘May the Fourth’ (Picture: parkrun)

Dogwalkers and afternoon strollers caught sight of some unusual characters jogging about in a Bradford park earlier today. 

The Lister parkrun held a special edition to mark May 4, otherwise known as Star Wars Day for the date’s familiar ring to the classic tag line – ’may the force be with you.’

Participants have shared with Metro.co.uk their reasons for taking place weekly 5k community event, which takes place every Saturday at 9am. 

James Williams, 42, who was running today dressed as a stormtrooper, said: ‘My team at work regularly do a parkrun. Great team bonding! 

‘I do charity events locally as a stormtrooper and thought it would be good fund to take part in May the Fourth parkrun. 

‘It’s a great atmosphere, a fabulous community event.’

Faye Booth, 48, who dressed as an alien, said: ‘What a lovely way to meet people and make friends.

Bradford parkrun
Obi Wan was out in force at Bradford parkrun on the weekend (Picture: parkrun)
Star Wars Parkrun participants.
Andy Collins, who went dressed as a stormtrooper, and Carol Speight, in her Princess Leia costume, have raked up more than 500 parkruns between them (Picture: parkrun)
Star Wars Parkrun participants in Bradford.
David Gillian, who was running today dressed as Chewbecca, and his 10-year-old son Joel, dressed as Obi Wan Kenobi (Picture: parkrun)

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‘There’s no pressure here – you can go at your own pace and run, jog or walk through a beautiful park.’

Gary Ludwin, 51, one of the event’s organisers who went dressed as Darth Vader, said: ‘When we plan our parkrun we look to fit in as many themed events in each year since we started.

Bradford parkrun
You don’t want to get in the way of his jedi! (Picture: parkrun)
Bradford parkrun
Lightsabers were out in force (Picture: parkrun)
Bradford parkrun
Even the Mandalorian made an appearance (Picture: parkrun)

‘We feel that by having a chance to celebrate and of course get the fancy dress out helps with the community feel that we want our parkrun to be. 

‘Of course if anyone ever wants to bring along some cake we’re not going to object!’

Bradford parkrun
Even the young ones got into it (Picture: parkrun)
Star Wars parkrun participants.
Andy Pocock and his son Elias, both dressed as Jedi, along with Andy’s baby Brody, dressed as an Ewok (Picture: parkrun)
Bradford parkrun
Chewie was there, too (Picture: parkrun)

James Knight, 53, who went dressed as a clone trooper, added: ‘What a fabulous day for a parkrun to start the Bank Holiday weekend. 

‘Plus a great excuse for fancy dress… not that I need one!’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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