Over 100 members of the parkrun community took part in a special event at 10 Downing Street on Monday 22 April to celebrate the charity’s upcoming 20th anniversary.   The No 10 reception was hosted by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, together with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lucy Frazer MP. parkrun staff, volunteers, trustees, partners, funders, and representatives from local parkrun events across the four home nations came together with a host of MPs to recognise the incredible contribution made by parkrun in the UK and internationally over the last two decad ..read more

As a dog owner, parkrun presents an ideal opportunity to venture outdoors and engage in physical activity with your dog on a Saturday morning. However, have you ever considered the possibility of volunteering alongside your canine companion?   Hazel Millns dedicates her time to volunteering with her dog, Bramble, every week! It’s gotten to the point where Bramble might even be on track to becoming a local celebrity…    I was walking my dog, Bramble, with a friend and they recommended we try out a parkrun. They told me ‘it’s a good thing to get involved in’ and they were absolute ..read more

Looking for some outdoor fun with your furry friends? Look no further than your local parkrun! It’s all about joining The Feel Good Movement and getting your paws moving however you please – whether you want to volunteer, walk, run or just watch the action unfold. Your canine companions are always welcome at Saturday parkruns, providing the paw-fect opportunity to bond and get active together!     Before you get your paws moving    We want every tail to wag happily at parkrun, so let’s walk through some general tips and tricks on how to enjoy parkrun with your pup!   ..read more

parkrun is for everyone, and always will be, for whatever you need it to be. For Ashley Riley, it wasn’t just about fitness; it was about recovery. After experiencing a stroke in June 2023, parkrun became a pivotal tool in his rehabilitation journey, shaping a new chapter of his life.   My first parkrun was on 22 January 2022. I had seen a post on social media and decided to go along to see what it was all about. I was surprised at how many people were there and I liked how everything was clearly explained at the start. The marshals were friendly and encouraging and I decided there and th ..read more

Did you know parkrun is more than just a run or walk in the park? It’s a charity on a mission! With over 2,500 locations, across 22 countries, our goal is simple: create safe, inclusive events where people can enjoy movement in their own way. And with over 9 million people registered, we’ve come a long way as a charity. While parkrun will always be free to join, sustaining parkrun’s magic depends on financial support.    That’s why your donations are crucial – they help us keep parkrun free, for everyone, forever!      Did you know parkrun is charity ..read more

Did you know that April is Bowel Cancer awareness month? Our friends at Macmillan Cancer Support would like to share the story of one of their amazing volunteers, Calum.   Driven to make something positive from his experience of bowel cancer, Calum became a Macmillan information and support volunteer in 2022, and the impact he’s already made has been phenomenal.   Having attended a HOPE course during his own recovery, he was inspired to train to become a HOPE facilitator himself. On top of this, Calum realised that there was a need for a colorectal cancer support group in Preston, so ..read more

On 21 April, thousands of people will take on the challenge of the London Marathon. Among them will be 19-year-old Lloyd Martin, who is attempting to be the youngest athlete with Down’s Syndrome to complete the marathon! Together with his mum, Ceri, his trusted running partner, to raise money for multiple charities dedicated to helping special needs children and young people.     We talked to Ceri about how parkrun kick-started Lloyd’s marathon journey.   Lloyd’s running journey all began at parkrun. Lloyd completed his first junior parkrun in Cardiff, where my family are f ..read more

On a crisp March morning, Eilish McColgan – Shokz athlete and Commonwealth champion – joined the parkrun community in her hometown, at Dundee’s Camperdown parkrun!   “It has been YEARS since I last ran at Camperdown. I have very fond memories of my first race there with my mum!”    Surrounded by runners, walkers, and volunteers, Eilish’s visit created a real buzz as she encouraged participants to embrace an active lifestyle and strive for their fitness goals with passion and determination.            Eilish’s visit to Camperdown ..read more

This week marks a remarkable milestone as we reflect on junior parkrun’s journey that began in 2010. Starting with just nine young pioneers at Bushy Park, junior parkrun has now grown into over 450 events in three countries and made an impact on the health and happiness of numerous children, families and volunteers!   Here, we look at what we’ve achieved in the last 14 years and what we look forward to.   A trip down memory lane   Paul Graham (pictured below) conceived the idea for Bushy junior parkrun as he, like many others, had developed a deep fondness for the 5k parkru ..read more

Ever wondered what it was like to participate in the first ever parkrun event?   Put on that virtual reality headset because we’re about to take you on a breathtaking journey back to where it all began – the inaugural parkrun at Bushy Park on Saturday 2 October 2004.   As we celebrate our 20th year, we are delighted to open up the opportunity for you to relive history through the power of virtual reality (VR). You will get to run, walk, or volunteer at the inaugural course, from that historic day in 2004.   Step into parkrun’s birthplace, Bushy Park, in all its glory as you take ..read more