Since the personal barcode system was introduced in 2009, over 60 million instances of participation have been recorded at parkrun events around the world. Over that time we have insisted that in order to record a time, all finishers must present a printed barcode (either in the form of a paper printout or an…
Born with a rare genetic eye condition called retinitis pigmentosa, causing slow vision degeneration, Shayne Allen said his life motto was not to look for inspiration but to inspire. Shayne started taking part at Woy Woy parkrun in Australia in 2019, and this is his story. Despite having less than five per cent central…
Lions delaying the start, whale sightings on the coast, curious giraffes and pre-event briefings in Zulu. This month, parkrun South Africa turns 10. To celebrate, parkrun South Africa President Bruce Fordyce talks us through the growth of parkrun across a country that now boasts the slowest average parkrun finish time at 42.57. One…
After being diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Karen Worsell was looking for ways to maintain her fitness. Inspired by her son and grandchildren, she set her sights on her first parkrun. Now she wants everyone else to know they can achieve their dreams too. Here’s her story. From my earliest days I have always wanted…
University of Nottingham researchers are still inviting parkrunners of all levels to take part in a study examining how their running habits changed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and what impact running could potentially have on the virus itself. This research is supported by The parkrun Research Board, and here’s how you can take part….
It’s going to be a great Halloween, we can feel it in our bones! As the spooky season creeps up on us, we take a look back at some of the most memorable Halloween moments from around the world. parkrun has a few traditions such as the extra event on New Years Day, the…
After a big life move, Naomi Dawson found herself in a brand new country, knowing nobody. Local parkruns helped her integrate into new communities, and make many long-lasting friendships along the way. I wasn’t a runner, never had been. Then, in 2013, someone told me about parkrun. I completed the Couch to 5k program, after…
We’re really pleased to announce that, with the order of milestone t-shirts now safely in stock, six new milestone t-shirts are available to order for all eligible parkrunners. Now, for the first time, there are the same milestone clubs (and t-shirts) whether you walk, jog, run or volunteer: junior 10 and junior v10…
The first parkrun in Poland took place on 15 October 2011. As the country celebrates its ten year parkrun anniversary, we take a look back at some special moments. When back in the autumn of 2011, five participants arrived at the very first Polish location: parkrun Gdynia, no one was able to predict…
On Saturday 2 October 2004, 13 runners and five volunteers turned up to Bushy Park in Teddington, London, for a free, timed, 5k run, known then as the Bushy Park Time Trial. Little did they know what they had started. Paul and Joanne Sinton-Hewitt, Duncan Gaskell, Simon Hedger and Robin Drummond made up the…
