parkrun: The Power of Simple, Community-Led Movement.

Across towns, villages, and cities in the UK and around the world, one simple idea has transformed communities, brought people together, and changed the way we think about public health: parkrun.

At Why Sports 2026, Elizabeth Duggan, CEO of parkrun Global, will share insights into the impact of parkrun — from its grassroots beginnings to its global footprint — and explore how this simple, free-to-access initiative could be part of the solution to some of the nation’s biggest health and wellbeing challenges.

The parkrun Difference: Simple, Data-Led, and Community Focused

Parkrun began with a simple premise: make running free, accessible, and fun, and let people come together weekly to move, connect, and thrive. By keeping the model straightforward and inclusive, parkrun has experienced exponential growth.

• Global reach: Almost half a million weekly participants globally, in 2,700 locations with 1,700 events across the UK alone.  

• Demographic impact: parkrun attracts participants of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds — including families, older adults, and people with long-term conditions.

• Custodial engagement: parkrun is delivered in prisons and secure settings, demonstrating that physical activity and community engagement can positively influence rehabilitation and wellbeing.

From the start, parkrun has embraced data-driven decision making. Every participant is registered, every run is timed, and every outcome is tracked — providing invaluable insight into participation trends, demographics, and health outcomes. This approach has not only enabled growth but also proven its impact at scale.

Impact That Speaks for Itself.

• Physical activity: Hundreds of thousands of people are moving regularly who might not otherwise exercise.

• Mental health and social connection: Participants report improved well-being, reduced loneliness, and stronger community ties.

• Economic value: Research suggests that the health and social benefits of parkrun save millions in public health costs, reducing the burden on the NHS, freeing staff time, and contributing to prevention strategies.

• Inclusivity: parkrun is truly free to access, removing financial barriers to participation, a critical factor in addressing health inequalities.

  
  

With NHS waiting lists growing, staff stretched, and custodial estates under pressure, initiatives like parkrun offer low-cost, preventative solutions that could reduce demand on services while improving population wellbeing, the challenge remains to systemise initiatives like parkrun into our health infrastructure.

Looking Ahead: A parkrun in Every Community

Elizabeth Duggan will outline parkrun’s ambitious plans for the future, leveraging scale and reach to redefine what it means to be physically active. The vision is clear: move, connect, thrive — and ensure that the benefits of participation reach everyone, everywhere.

The key challenges and questions for policymakers, commissioners, and public health leaders include:

• How can the government better support initiatives such as parkrun to scale, reach underserved communities, and integrate with health and social care initiatives?

• Can parkrun be embedded into prevention strategies? Helping reduce NHS demand, improve mental and physical health, and deliver measurable social value.

• How do we ensure parkrun reaches those who need it most? Equity in access remains critical to maximising impact.

Beyond the Run: A Catalyst for Change

parkrun isn’t just about running; it’s a community movement that fosters inclusion, supports wellbeing, and builds resilience. Participants gain confidence, social connection, and healthy habits that extend far beyond the weekly event.

As the UK seeks solutions to its pressing health challenges, parkrun provides a proven, scalable, and simple model — low-cost, evidence-driven, and effective at reaching millions. The question isn’t whether parkrun works; it’s whether we are willing to use it as part of the solution.

At Why Sports 2026, Elizabeth Duggan will challenge delegates to think big: how can parkrun help us create a healthier, more active, and connected nation? Because sometimes, the simplest ideas — a park, a path, a stopwatch — can have the biggest impact on society.