Parkrun’s philosophy is to create a healthier community with free volunteer-led, 5km runs or walks in open spaces every weekend around the world.
Photo: Simon Watts / PHOTOSPORT
It may have started out as a small group enjoying a jog, but Parkrun has now got people around the world buzzing.
Every Saturday morning more than 10,000 people take part in an organised walk or run somewhere in New Zealand known as Parkrun.
It is a growing phenomenon that has captured the interest of those that previously may never have thought about taking to the streets or parks.
Parkrun originated in Britain in 2004 and is now in 25 countries involving more than 3000 events and close to 12 million registered participants.
Scarborough Parkrun
Photo: supplied / Scarborough Parkrun Facebook
Parkrun’s philosophy is to create a healthier community with free volunteer-led, 5km runs or walks in open spaces every weekend around the world.
New Zealand’s first Parkrun was held in the Hutt Valley in 2012, but now there are almost 70 locations.
Darren de Groot is a former member of the Johnsonville-based Olympic Harriers running and walking club – who now walks, runs and volunteers for Parkrun most Saturdays in Christchurch.
“With Parkrun it’s all about community, participation, personal achievement and camaraderie.
Since being involved as a volunteer for the past seven years de Groot has encouraged a number of people to give it a go.
“I tell them it’s not a race, it’s about progression and personal achievement and next thing they’re at Parkrun and they’ve completed 20 of them.”
De Groot said the interest is growing and participants are spreading the word.
“If you don’t know about Parkrun, you’re not in the bubble.”
Parkrunners get hooked and the organisation marks milestones for the number of events completed while many others attempt to run every Parkrun in their region or in the country.
Participants only need to register once and can compete at any event nation-wide.
Photo: Supplied / barry guy
Joanne Lowe, a retired Wellington teacher, is not in that league just yet.
Lowe has been Parkrunning for just over a year and heads to the Wellington waterfront most Saturday’s with family and neighbourhood friends.
“I love exercising outdoors, I love the waterfront, it is so vibrant at that time of the morning and you just feel part of the city. No one cares what you’re doing, you’re just part of a group.”
She said she likes that it provides a social opportunity and that she can mix jogging with walking and is now just a couple of runs away from reaching her milestone of 25 events.
Lowe admitted she was one of the slowest in the Waitangi group.
“There is a volunteer tail-walker so you never feel like you are the last person … I like that.”
Participants only need to register once and can compete at any event nation-wide.
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