10 Reasons To Run Your First Parkrun

Last Updated on April 1, 2025 by Amanda Bowden

Why You Should Run Your First Parkrun

Are you thinking about trying out parkrun for the first time? If that’s the case, then you’ve found the perfect place to get some inspiration! Even if you’re currently not a runner, parkrun is the ideal place to start.

Every Saturday morning, often even on Christmas day, thousands of people of all abilities gather at parks around the world to take part in the 5K event. Whether you walk, jog, or run, parkrun is open to everyone—no experience required!

Still unsure? Here are 10 awesome reasons you should get some trainers on and run your first parkrun.

1. It’s Completely Free

Many races cost to join in, but not parkrun! There is no entry fee, and you don’t even need to book. All you need to do is sign up online, print your barcode and bring it along (or show it on an app).

In most countries parkrun starts at 9am on a Saturday (and junior parkrun at 10am on a Sunday), but make sure you check the start time for your local parkrun online. As you don’t need to book you can just turn up, and you don’t need to come every week – but you may well find you want to!

2. Parkrun Is Really Welcoming For All Abilities

If you’re a beginner runner, or your fitness leaves much to be desired, you really don’t need to worry about not being good enough to join in at parkrun. You do not need to be fast. Or even able to run at all. You can walk the entire thing, walk and run when you can, jog, or skip if you feel like it. There’s such a supportive atmosphere, you do not need to worry about your ability at all.

At parkrun there’s a volunteer tail walker, there to be the last one – so no-one taking part is ever last!

3. Great for Beginners

This expands on the last point – but there’s more to add! If you’ve never run before, parkrun is the perfect place to start. It’s a really relaxed environment, and most people are non-competitive – especially in the slower half running at the back.

This makes it a really great introduction to running. Lots of people begin by mixing up walking and running – also called ‘jeffing‘.

4. Improves Physical Fitness

Running, or even walking, a 5K once a week will do so much to improve your physical fitness. It will improve your heart health, strengthen your muscles and bones, and even be good for your brain. Getting some regular exercise into your life will boost your chances of living longer too.

If you’re new to running, it’s important to start slowly – so you can improve the chances of getting fitter by reducing your chances of getting injured! To get started have a read of How To Start Running For Beginners: 21 Running Tips.

5. Plenty Of Mental Health Benefits

Running stimulates multiple changes in the neurotransmitters in your brain which can really give your mood a boost. It can help lower your stress, as well as reducing anxiety and depression. Find out more about the mental health benefits of running here.

Joining in at parkrun itself has been found to have extra mental health benefits, possibly due to the community atmosphere and social interaction. Research has found 73% of park runners feel that joining in has boosted their mental health.

6. Parkrun Is A Weekly Motivation

Just knowing there’s a parkrun coming up this Saturday, and every Saturday, will give you something to look forward to. If you’re trying to make running a regular thing then you may find it really helps to have something on your calendar to help keep up the training motivation.

7. Meet Like-Minded People

Parkrun is a fantastic way to feel part of your local community. Seeing other people you share things in common with can be reassuring, and there’s a general sense of being in it together.

If you take it easy while you’re there you may find yourself chatting to someone new, although if you’re going for a PB (personal best) you may not have the breath to chat!

8. It’s Family-Friendly

You can run a parkrun with your children, and there’s even a Junior parkrun in many places on a Sunday. If you’re just starting out this may be ideal for you (if you have children you can persuade to try it!) as it’s only 2K, and parents are welcome to jog beside their kids.

Many parkruns are good to go to with a running buggy, babies aboard. And it’s usually fine to bring your dog too, as long as you keep it on the lead. If you’re running with a buggy, or a dog, it’s usually sensible to stay near the back where the crowds are thinner, to make it less likely you’ll collide with someone’s ankles, or trip them over with an excited dog.

Make sure to check the website of your local parkrun to see if dogs are allowed, or if the course terrain is suitable for your buggy, before you turn up.

9. Track Your Progress At Parkrun

Every time you complete a parkrun and scan your barcode, your time is automatically recorded. This means you can track your progress on your personal profile on the parkrun website. It’s an awesome way to see how you improve over time and may motivate you to set new challenges.

10. Sense Of Achievement

When you finish the run, and cross the line, it gives you an amazing sense of achievement. It doesn’t matter how fast you ran it, or how many times you’ve done it before, you still get the nice sense of satisfaction that you’ve done something worthwhile. You have something to be proud of!

Ready To Run?

Find your nearest parkrun here.

Now that you know the benefits of parkrun, why not be brave and give it a try? Sign up online, find your nearest event, and experience the amazing atmosphere at a parkrun. You may discover you love parkrun and it’s what your weekends have been missing all this time!

*Attribution for featured image: Kevin Wood, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.