IT’S the running phenomenon that has taken the nation by storm. Parkrun organise free, weekly, 5km timed runs at 9am every Saturday.

They are open to everyone of all abilities and ages.

Here are six of the most popular parkrun venues in Dorset and the New Forest.

1 Poole parkrun attracts more than 600 runners every week. The course starts near the cricket pavilion in Poole Park and is a mixture of tarmac and compacted gravel and includes two laps of the lake.

2 Bournemouth parkrun takes place in Kings Park Athletic Stadium in Kings Park Drive. The course consists of one small lap, one large lap and then a smaller lap to take runners to the finish on mainly flat tarmac paths. Fast times can be expected. Today's event has been cancelled but it will be back again on Saturday, October 13

3 Moors Valley parkrun at Moors Valley Country Park and Forest, near Ringwood. The course is run on a mixture of tarmac paths, loose stone paths and trail paths. The start and finish points are in different places so runners are recommended to leave bags in the car.

4 Upton parkrun at Upton Country Park, Poole Road. The course is entirely on trails and consists of two large laps and one small lap within Upton Country Park. The start is situated a short way along the path at top right hand corner of the car park.

5 Blandford parkrun, Jubilee Way. Starting under Jubilee Way bridge on the Blandford to Sturminster Newton trail way you head north. The course is run on a mixture of tarmac and hard packed paths.

6 Lymington parkrun at Woodside Gardens. The course is a mixture of trail paths and grass. Two routes are available depending on course conditions, as some areas become waterlogged after heavy rain. Both courses start and finish in close proximity to the pavilion.

Don’t forget to register before your first run and bring a printed copy of your barcode.Visit parkrun.org.uk for more details.