A popular seafront run has expanded and opened up a second version for children.

The 5k Gorleston Cliffs park run has become synonymous in the town and takes place every Saturday morning. And more than two years after it first launched, a 2k run has started for children between the ages of four and 14.

Yesterday hundreds of excitable youngsters sprinted down the town’s coastline, some with their parents.

Rachael Allen, who helps organise the runs, said: “This event is really important to encourage children to exercise and lead a healthier lifestyle.”

Hundreds of people turn up regularly for the weekend runs, and it is hoped that the 2k run for children will prove to be just as popular as the adult run.

Maxine Smith, 33, who took her children Matt, 5, and Lucy, 8, for the run said: “Matt loves to run about and Lucy surprisingly enjoyed it. I think it is something that some families would love to get there children to do regularly particularly as it promotes a very healthy lifestyle and some children have barrels of energy to use up.”

The park runs cost nothing and take place every Sunday at 9am.

The event starts at the Lower Esplanade in Gorleston near the car park and the course takes them to Jay Jays Cafe and back.

It is not mandatory for a parent or guardian to participate in junior parkruns, but children under the age of 11 must be accompanied to and from the event by a responsible adult, and the responsible adult must remain in attendance for the duration of the event.

Every week the group grabs a post parkrun coffee in the Lower Level cafe near the shops after the run.