Warren Hill parkrun started in November 2018 as part of the initiative to bring parkrun to custodial estates. Now in their fifth year, they are on their 159th event with over 6,100 finishers. They explain how parkrun has helped prisoners and enables them to celebrate their partnerships with local organisations. Typically, Warren Hill parkrun…
Through the feedback we regularly receive, we know that parkruns operated on the custodial estate are popular and positive events, the benefits of which impact those in custody, the staff and the whole prison. Now, with the results of research commissioned by His Majesty’s Prisons and Probation Service (HMPPS) to explore prisoners’ experiences of…
A recent research paper published in the academic journal Psychology, Health and Medicine has highlighted the wide-ranging benefits of parkrun for those living with a mental health condition. The impacts were found to be greatest for those who walk or run, as well as volunteer A team of researchers undertook a detailed analysis of…
At parkrun our mission is to make the world a healthier and happier place. If we are to realise this vision we know that we need to work with others, to share our own knowledge and experience, and to collaborate with and learn from a wide range of organisations. We would love to…
November marks the fifth anniversary of the first parkrun on the custodial estate. We look back at the growth of the initiative and the impact that is having on so many lives and outline our hopes for the future. Five years ago this month saw the groundbreaking launch of Black Combe parkrun at HMP…
Ian Gregory made some ambitious plans to commemorate his father and achieve an array of parkrun milestones at Daventry parkrun this Autumn. Back in 2015, I was quite a heavy drinker and a lot heavier than I am now. At the beginning of that year, my dad was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. I…
Nicola Doward plucked up the courage to join her husband and daughter at parkrun, reassured by them that she would be welcomed, not be judged. Nicola tells us her inspiring parkwalk story. On 19 August 2022, I gathered all of my courage and registered for parkrun. At just under 30 stone, the three ‘M’s…
Tara Gray needed to find a counterbalance to her stressful work role, ideally some enjoyable, sociable activity. Initially she couldn’t run for 30 seconds, but, after finding a local running club and then parkrun, Tara is now looking forward to working her way up to a full marathon. In the spring of last…
A family health scare encouraged Dave Adcock to try and lead a healthier life. Remembering running only as a form of embarrassment from his school days, he was surprised to discover a love for parkrunning with his son. This is his story. I was very overweight and unfit as a child and was often…
Heidi Morrison was just 17 years old when she first became seriously ill. After initially responding with ‘no chance’ when encouraged to parkrun by a friend, once she finished the first one she was hooked. Here, Heidi tells us how she is using her experiences to encourage other people to benefit from being more active….
