New data shows parkrun’s savings to NHS England.

New data and research revealed on Social Prescribing Day have shown how parkrun is saving NHS England money in the treatment of key health conditions, with 7 in 10 Britons also backing GPs to socially prescribe parkrun to patients.

The new data from Sport England highlights direct cost savings to the NHS in the preventative treatment of depression (£13.8 million) type 2 diabetes (£13.5 million) and in reduced GP and hospital visits (£9.2 million) as a result of people taking part in parkrun and the charity’s parkrun practice social prescribing programme with the RCGP (Royal College of GPs).

Over 2,000 GP practices (a third in the UK) are part of the programme, which sees them partner with local parkrun events to enable GPs and social prescribing link workers to prescribe parkrun to patients with a range of physical and mental health conditions.

Research also undertaken for Social Prescribing Day by YouGov on behalf of parkrun shows that 70% of Britons support GPs’ socially prescribing parkrun, with over half (52%) saying that it could help reduce the pressure on the NHS.

Around 20% of parkrun participants consider themselves inactive at registration, and just under a quarter are from the lowest socio-economic groups, proving the charity’s success at reaching those who may not engage with traditional sport or activity, but potentially have the most to gain.

The research findings and new data come as parkrun continues to play an increasing role in supporting the NHS, aligned with the government’s plans to create a more preventative and community-based health care system – two of the key priorities outlined in its 10 Year Health Plan launched last year.

The government’s plans include 250 new Neighbourhood Health Centres as part of the creation of a Neighbourhood Health Service initially focused on areas of deprivation to reduce health inequalities. The new centres will focus on improving access to general practice and supporting people with complex needs and long-term conditions, including diabetes.

Social prescribing, which connects people to activities, groups, and services in their local community to support their health and wellbeing, is regarded as an essential part of preventative health and parkrun is urging the NHS and local authorities to include parkrun as part of any social prescribing offer for the new Neighbourhood Health Centres.

Elizabeth Duggan, parkrun’s Chief Executive Officer, commented:

“Over the last 20 years, parkrun has grown from a weekly community running event into a major public health intervention, helping reduce the burden on the NHS. We can and want to do more to support the government’s ambitions for a more preventive and community-based health care system.

The parkrun community is changing, with an increasing number of participants registering as inactive and from lower socio-economic groups, and we’d love to see our parkrun practice and social prescribing model integrated into the new Neighbourhood Health Centres, which are initially going to be targeted in the country’s more deprived areas.”

Charlotte Osborn-Forde, Chief Executive of The National Academy for Social Prescribing, added: “Through social prescribing, GPs and link workers can connect people to many different forms of support – from debt advice to housing support to activities like parkrun. It’s all about looking at what matters to each person. The great thing about parkrun is that it helps people get more active but also creates a real sense of community, and it’s fantastic that so many GP practices are part of the scheme.”

Sean Smith, 65 and from Southport, was socially prescribed parkrun by his GP, Simon Tobin, after suffering a serious cardiac arrest in 2016. Nine years ago, and with his heart operating at 30% capacity (most people’s hearts work at 70%) he completed his first parkrun and is expecting to complete his 200th this weekend.

“parkrun has completely changed my life. When I had my cardiac arrest, the doctors told me that the type I had experienced was serious and typically had a 12% survival rate. I’d never heard of parkrun and was never a runner when I was at school, so when my doctor suggested it through the parkrun practice programme and as part of my rehab, I was sceptical to say the least.

I started walking parkrun first, and now I get round in between 35 and 40 minutes, but the time doesn’t matter to me. It’s about my physical and mental health, being outdoors and the community I am now part of. I think parkrun can play a massive part in helping the future of our NHS.” Said Sean

News of the cost savings to the NHS follows a study from 2024 led by Sheffield Hallam University, which highlighted that parkrun saved the UK economy (including the NHS) £667 million a year.