10 reasons to try your first parkrun

mikebuss | 24/08/2017 | 0 Comments More

Parkrun are extremely proud of becoming the biggest running event in the world. But parkrun is so much more than a walk, jog or run in a park. Here are 10 reasons why you should join them…

1. More events to choose from – since you registered for parkrun, hundreds more local communities have started their own parkruns all over the UK, meaning your nearest parkrun could be a lot closer than you think!

2. Feel good – walking, jogging or running 5k in the open air, or volunteering in the company of friends can really help to improve your health and wellbeing.

3. It’s completely free! – just print your parkrun barcode and bring it along with you. You can download and print your barcode which you can download from the parkrun website.

4. Be part of a community – the social side is just as important as walking, jogging and running at parkrun. Most parkruns have a first-timers welcome and a post-parkrun cafe or meeting point where you can meet and chat with friends, old and new.

5. Children are welcome – there’s no better way to spend time together as a family than being active in the outdoors.

6. Wear what you want – you don’t have to buy running kit or sportswear to take part at parkrun. Wear whatever you feel comfortable in.
7. Learn new skills – more than 14,000 people volunteer at parkrun every week! There are lots of different roles, such as Timekeeper, Marshal or Barcode Scanner. You can develop skills, gain confidence and get the feel-good factor from helping to organise a community event.

8. Bring a friend – if you are worried about coming on your own…don’t be! The support offered at parkrun means we all walk, jog, run or volunteer together. But, you can always bring a friend along, chat and share the post-parkrun glow!

9. Have your whole weekend ahead of you – parkruns take place on Saturday mornings, starting at 9:00am in England and Wales, and 9:30am in Scotland and Northern Ireland, meaning once you have finished, you still have the rest of the weekend ahead of you.

10. Nobody finishes last – all parkruns in the UK have Tail Walkers who are always the final finishers.
parkrun is not a race, there is no time limit, and everyone is welcome to take part.
To find your nearest parkrun, check out their website www.parkrun.org.uk