Organised every week around the world, parkrun offers free, five kilometre timed runs open to everyone.

As a retail partner, Co-op will look to offer recipe ideas and food ideas to participants, with a focus on meals that are simple to prepare.

Co-op will also be attending parkrun events to distribute healthy foods and will invite members of the British Para-athletics team to launch the partnership.

They will invite some of the medallists from the World Para Athletics Championships in London in July to take part in a parkrun in their local area.  

Eight parkruns will participate in the launch in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Cardiff and London among other locations.

“We are excited to welcome Co-op to the parkrun family," said Nick Pearson, chief executive at parkrun.

"More than 600 communities across the UK are coming together every weekend to support each other, enjoy the fresh air and be physically active.

“We are committed to helping parkrunners and their communities become healthier and more and more we are conscious that healthy food choices are a critical part of health."

The Co-op was a national partner of the London 2017 World Para Athletics Championships in July.

During the Championships, the Co-op supplied food to the competition's athletes and volunteers.

“We are delighted to partner with parkrun," added Amanda Jennings, marketing communications director at Co-op.

"As a retailer focused on providing for the community you only have to see a parkrun to appreciate that this partnership is the perfect match.

“At Co-op we are proud to champion a different way of doing business and we understand the communities we operate in."