How parkrun is making people healthier and happier

Could parkrun make you or your community healthier and happier?

Have you heard of parkrun? Their mission is pretty inspiring — they want to make the world a healthier, happier place. Ambitious, right? So how do they do it? By bringing people together to get active, connect with others, and spend time outdoors. It’s a simple idea, but it’s making a big difference.

So what happens at parkrun on Saturday mornings? Before you go you can register online with parkrun here and check out the website for your local event.

There are over 100 events across Scotland every Saturday and each one has their own race briefing ahead of the 9:30 start. The short briefing involves a volunteer telling you about the

course and the procedure for getting your result. There is a buzz in the air and a lot of people around. It feels exciting and people are chatting, catching up about their week and ready to take on 5k, either walking, jogging, or running – dogs and buggies too! It really is an event for everyone.

At the start the Run Director sets us off with the speedy runners at the front and the walkers towards the rear. There is a volunteer tail walker so none of the participants is last to cross the finish line. At the end of the 5k you are given a finish token and you take it to the bar code scanning area where your result is scanned in – this is how the results are compiled.

After the run, people usually go to the nearest cafe for a coffee and catch-up. This is a great way to cool-down after the event and also socialise with fellow park-runners. Not long afterwards the results are out and you will receive an email giving me your result.

As parkrun is a free community resource, healthcare workers, such as Occupational Therapists, often utilise it within their social prescribing remit. Social prescribing is an approach that connects individuals to community resources, activities, and services to improve their health and well-being, addressing social, emotional, and practical needs that impact their overall health.

Sonja and Jenny, Occupational Therapists in the Western Isles, attend the parkrun in Stornoway in the grounds of Lews Castle regularly and recommend it to their patients and colleagues alike. It is an opportunity to participate but also potentially to volunteer. Both of which benefit people’s mental and physical health and well-being.

Jenny’s experience as a volunteer is that it gave her a focus during a time that was particularly difficult in her life – and it is extremely beneficial to be active and outdoors, meeting socially with a variety of different people from all walks of life.

 Jenny said “There is a group cohesion amongst the volunteers – they are welcoming and supportive – and there is a role regardless of your level of fitness or ability.”.

Sonja appreciates the opportunity to walk/jog but also to volunteer and socialise with the other participants, which has been eye opening when people share their journeys and milestones.

Sonja reflects “It is heartening to see how the participation at parkrun can have such a positive impact on people’s physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.”

We hope this has inspired you to look up your local parkrun and take it on this Saturday. Whether it’s improving the health of the community or our healthcare workers, it’s a great free resource that can benefit us all.

 More information about social prescribing and occupational therapy: https://www.rcot.co.uk/latest-news/occupational-therapy-role-social-prescribing

About parkrun

• parkrun is a free community event held every week throughout the year and is organised by local volunteers
• parkrun is ‘a run not a race’ and volunteering is considered to be on an equal rating to  walking, jogging and running
• There are no winners and no participant is last as there is a tail walker
• There is no charge for participating in parkrun however participants are encouraged to register at register | parkrun UK which allows the results to be shown on the event website
• Further information and details of the events can be found at parkrun events

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