Parkrun: The local jog that became a worldwide hit

Parkrun is a popular running event that takes place every Saturday morning, and it has become a global phenomenon. It all began 20 years ago when a small group of runners gathered in a chilly park in London. At that time, the world was enjoying Green Day's music, watching movies like Dodgeball, and the first season of Strictly Come Dancing had just ended. The event was started by Paul Sinton-Hewitt, who, due to an injury, could not run himself. He decided to invite others to join him for what was then called the Bushy Park Time Trial on October 2, 2004. Paul remarked, 'It really affects people's lives so that goodness that exists in a park on a Saturday morning extends to the whole week. ' This statement highlights how Parkrun has positively impacted the lives of many people, creating a sense of community and well-being. Parkrun is designed for everyone, regardless of age or ability. Every Saturday at 9:00 AM, participants gather in parks to run a distance of 5 kilometers, which is just over three miles. For younger runners, there are shorter 2-kilometer runs for children aged four to 14, which take place on Sunday mornings. By Christmas of 2004, the number of participants had doubled, and by the time of the 2012 Olympics, Parkrun had expanded to every borough in London. Recently, Lithuania became the latest country to host a Parkrun, bringing the total number of countries to 23. Ireland has the highest participation rate, with about 8-9% of its population registered for Parkrun. In London, where it all started, there are nearly 750,000 registered runners, and around 100 events occur each weekend. Paul Sinton-Hewitt, the founder of Parkrun, now lives in rural Sussex. He emphasizes the importance of community in Parkrun, stating, 'You get absorbed by the community, who make you feel special. ' He explains that Parkrun is not a competitive event; instead, it allows participants to run at their own pace. 'You can run it as hard as you like. You can be as competitive as you like, but you're not really competing with other people. You're competing against yourself,' he said. This non-competitive nature of Parkrun makes it a welcoming and enjoyable experience for everyone involved. Many participants have shared their personal stories about how Parkrun has changed their lives for the better. Afe Komolafe, for instance, was pre-diabetic six years ago when she started attending Parkrun near her home in Hayes, west London. She quickly fell in love with the event and now helps newcomers feel welcome. Afe expressed, 'Parkrun means a whole lot to me. It's community, friendship, health, well-being, fitness. It's just special. ' Another dedicated participant, Dr. Nigel Rata, who has a PhD in atmospheric chemistry, has completed over 200 Parkruns and tries to participate wherever he goes. He describes Parkrun as a 'family' and appreciates the lack of pressure to perform. 'There's no expectation of what you do when you get there. You'll feel great afterwards, no matter how you feel going into it,' he said. Even though Paul Sinton-Hewitt now deals with arthritis, he still finds joy in participating and volunteering. He believes that Parkrun helps him appreciate the joys of life and is a vital part of his weekly routine. Parkrun is not just about running; it is a celebration of community, health, and happiness.