Parkrun is a free weekly, five-kilometre walk, run or jog that happens in different locations worldwide. 

Spokeswoman Katrina Trewartha said her mother, Bev Rethus, 80, was instrumental in getting a parkrun in Nhill.

She said the event on Saturday was a huge success.

“More than half of participants were visitors to the area with some people travelling from Queensland, NSW and many regions of Victoria to attend the launch,” she said.

Parkrun ambassador Bruce Purdie welcomed everyone to the event and thanked Mrs Rethus for her dedication to organising the run.

Hindmarsh councillor Debra Nelson cut the ribbon to officially launch Australia’s 280th parkrun location.

Mrs Trewartha said the run route followed the bank of the Nhill Swamp and Wildlife Reserve. 

“The parkrun community spirit was in true form with both onlookers and other runners offering smiles, encouragement and support to fellow competitors as they passed each other,” she said.

“All to soon the last person was cheered and clapped across the finish line.”

The event included an egg and bacon breakfast after the run. 

”Cooks Jock Bone, Richard Morphett, Ivan Reichelt and Steven Alexander were kept busy feeding the hungry participants. Jackie Rethus baked and beautifully decorated a white mud cake which disappeared in minutes,” Mrs Trewartha said.

Mrs Rethus said she was thrilled to bits with how the first run went.

“It was fantastic,” she said.

The Nhill parkrun will run each Saturday morning at 8am.