Start with… parkrun

Looking for a free, inclusive, regular way to build healthy habits into the new year and beyond? Grab your friends, family, neighbours and colleagues, and start with parkrun!

‘Start with… parkrun’ is all about helping people build healthy habits into 2022 and beyond.

Aimed at anyone thinking about taking their first steps into physical activity, returning from a break, wanting to inspire a friend, or just simply get out in the great outdoors, ‘Start with… parkrun’ celebrates all the gentler routes into the weekend community events – encouraging people to come along as walkers, volunteers, spectators, or simply to just spend time with friends and be social in the fresh air.

Throughout January you can expect to see lots more bright and bold pictures and gifs, inspirational stories, practical hints and tips, as well as encouraging all of the existing parkrun family to bring a friend along and discover the magic.

At parkrun you can come along as a walker, a volunteer, or just head down to your local park and watch what’s going on. parkruns are free, weekly community events for all ages, abilities, backgrounds and walks of life. Everyone is welcome to take part – however they like.

Every parkrun event, everywhere in the world has a volunteer Tail Walker who is always the last one to cross the finish line. This means that you can walk, jog or run at whatever speed you want, safe in the knowledge that you will be made welcome, appreciated and applauded. And you definitely won’t finish last.
If you’re thinking about volunteering, go for it. There’s no experience needed, you don’t need to have been to a parkrun before, there are loads of roles to choose from, and someone will show you what to do on the day. Just find your local event team using our map, and get in touch.

You can check out our volunteer videos so you to see what it’s like before you try it. There are lots of volunteer stories on our blog too. More than 500,000 different people around the world have volunteered at parkrun so you’ll definitely get to meet some new and interesting people!

Our insight shows that one of the most powerful persuaders for people to come to parkrun is word of mouth. So why not sign up a friend and give the gift of parkrun for 2022 and beyond?

How will you start? And who is starting with you?

#loveparkrun