Finding meaningful ways to connect with others and maintain a healthy lifestyle can feel challenging. Community events like parkrun have emerged as a powerful solution, blending fitness with friendship.
Parkrun began as a simple idea and has grown into a global phenomenon. The initiative, founded in 2004 by Paul Sinton- Hewitt CBE in Bushy Park, London, started as a timed 5km run for a group of 13 people. Sinton-Hewitt was unemployed at the time and suffering a knee injury, his mental health at an all-time low. Since then, parkrun has evolved into a worldwide movement, with events now taking place in over 20 countries. Sinton-Hewitt’s vision was clear from the beginning: create a free, inclusive event that encourages physical activity and strengthens community ties.
“Slowly but surely we are energising the world, we are making the world a healthier and happier place,” says the founder. Today, hundreds of thousands of participants gather every Saturday morning around the world to walk, jog or run.
In New Zealand, there are up to 56 different groups participating. In Australia, there are over 500 free parkrun events every week across the country. This summer saw huge attendance and growth in numbers.
Parkrun has reached even the most unlikely of participants, including those in custody. In addition, almost 2,000 GP surgeries around the world are now linked with a parkrun, referring patients to these events for their mental and physical health.
For many, these weekly gatherings are a highlight, providing a dependable routine and a boost to mental wellbeing. Creating a space where individuals from all walks of life can come together helps reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. Participants form new friendships and build connections that extend beyond the event itself.
“Parkrun isn’t a cure for everyone, but it is part of the process of how people can be the best they can be,” says Sinton-Hewitt. “There is nothing more rewarding than doing that with your friends, people who are there to support you, help you, and celebrate your achievements.”
Research has shown that group exercise enhances motivation, helping individuals push themselves while feeling encouraged by those around them. Academics from Iowa State University found that exercising with others influences attitudes towards exercise. Engaging in physical activity with a group also shapes your perceptions and amplifies the physical health benefits, including improved cardiovascular fitness and maintaining a healthy weight.
The benefits of group exercise don’t stop there. Tying up your laces and moving with friends can help reduce stress, anxiety and depression. If you enjoy exercise, you are more likely to stick with it.
Kiwi Jan Lynch first joined parkrun a decade ago after being introduced to it by a friend. On New Year’s Day 2024, she celebrated her 450th run by completing the course while pushing her two grandsons in a pram. “I have made some wonderful friends through parkrun and have found that the parkrun community is always very welcoming to all participants, whether you’re a runner, jogger, or out to enjoy a walk in the park. And of course, a coffee afterwards with parkrun friends is an added bonus!” she says.
The message is clear: getting up, going out the door and exercising with your community – whether it be parkrun, lawn balls, pickleball or dancing – is a powerful way to connect with others and enhance the benefits of exercise.
