Why parkrun Really Is for Everyone
I'll start by clearing something up straight away: I am not a fast runner. I'm not competitive. I don't run races, marathons, or ultras. I track my runs on my Garmin (mostly for tracking distance) but that is about it. I run because I enjoy it, and because it's good for my physical and mental wellbeing. That's it.
And that's exactly why I love parkrun.
I don't make it every Saturday morning, weekends get busy, kids have sports and activities but I go as often as I can. One of the things I really like about it is that I can almost always convince a friend to come along. It turns into a run and a catch-up, which makes the whole thing feel far less like exercise and far more like something social I actually want to do.
A Community for All Levels
What makes parkrun special is that it genuinely caters to everyone. You'll have people finishing 5K in under 20 minutes, and others walking or jogging it in around 40 minutes (or more). And nobody bats an eyelid either way. Everyone is welcome, and that creates such a good, supportive atmosphere. There's a real community feel to it, which is hard to replicate.
Running in a big group is also way more motivating than running on your own. There's something about being surrounded by other people that gives you a little buzz and makes the whole thing feel easier, especially on days when you might be tired or your legs are feeling a little heavy.
Well-Organised and Beginner-Friendly
Another big plus is how well organised it is. My local parkrun has pacers, which is brilliant, especially if you're starting out. A pacer is someone who runs at a steady pace for a set time (for example, a 30-minute or 35-minute finish), so you can just follow them and not worry about speed or timing. It takes the pressure off and makes the whole experience less intimidating.
Junior parkrun for Kids
On Sundays, I try to bring my kid along to junior parkrun. Like a lot of parents, I'm always looking for ways to keep them active (and off screens for a bit at the weekend). Junior parkrun is a 2K event for kids aged 4–14 and their families. Sometimes I run it with him, sometimes I don't and it's really nice that either option is totally fine.
Just like the Saturday 5K, junior parkrun caters to all levels. Some kids walk, some jog, some absolutely fly around the course. And honestly, some of them have unbelievable running ability, it's amazing to watch. There's a great sense of encouragement and positivity, and kids are celebrated for just showing up and taking part.
Milestone Rewards
Junior parkrun also has milestone rewards, which is such a good motivator. Kids earn free wristbands as they reach different participation milestones:
- 11 junior parkruns – half marathon wristband (blue)
- 21 junior parkruns – marathon wristband (green)
- 50 junior parkruns – ultra-marathon wristband (orange)
- 100 junior parkruns – silver
- 250 junior parkruns – yellow
It's simple, but it works and you can see how proud they are when they hit a milestone.
Getting Started
If you're thinking about getting into running, or even just increasing your activity levels a bit, I'd really encourage you to give parkrun a go, when you feel ready for it. There's no pressure to be fast, no pressure to improve, and no pressure to come every week. You just turn up, do what you can, and that's more than enough.
Parkrun is completely free, and you only need to register once, whether you're walking, jogging, running, or volunteering. There are currently 161 parkrun events around the country every weekend, with more being added all the time, so chances are there's one not too far from you. You can also go to any event, any weekend so there's no "home" parkrun requirement.
If you're curious or want to find your nearest event, you can check out parkrun.ie for more information and locations.
You don't have to be a "runner" to enjoy parkrun. You just have to show up. And honestly, that's the hardest part.