health
‘A huge spectrum of people coming together’: how parkrun made it to its millionth event
Founded in 2004, the free weekly 5km event has grown into a global fixture of weekend life, taking place in parks, fields, seafronts and even prisons
TL;DR
- The millionth parkrun event was held in Bushy Park, west London, celebrating 20 years of community and public health benefits.
- Founded in 2004, parkrun started with five volunteers and 13 runners in Bushy Park and has grown to 2,800 locations worldwide.
- The free, weekly 5km events are entirely volunteer-run and attract over 12 million registered participants.
- Parkrun promotes community cohesion by bringing together people of all ages, speeds, and backgrounds.
- Over 2,100 UK GP surgeries now 'prescribe' parkrun as part of social prescribing schemes.
- Participation in parkrun has been linked to reduced depression and diabetes, and fewer GP/hospital visits.
- Parkrun events are also held in prisons, supporting rehabilitation and connecting incarcerated individuals with family.
- The charity aims to increase participation from lower socioeconomic groups and ethnic minorities to further improve national health.