let’s talk about parkrun

About a month ago, I had the pleasure of joining up with my very first ParkRun. This is something I’ve wanted to do since Renee organized her own group in the Netherlands a few years ago. I loved the concept, the community, and the vibe, and was so glad when the weekly event finally came close to home.

What Is parkrun?

I’m so glad you asked. Parkrun is a free, weekly, timed 5k, run and organized by volunteers, held in a public space (like a park). It’s open to anyone and everyone, so all ages and abilities are welcome to attend. Participants can walk, jog, or run, or they can even volunteer to help with the event, if they are so inclined. It’s a great option for those who want the race experience without actually paying for or running a race.

How Does It Work?

All you have to do is find a parkrun near you and register. There are 63 parkruns in the US at the current moment. As I mentioned, it’s entirely free, but you do have to sign a waiver, and you’ll get a barcode to be scanned each time you complete your 5k. This will keep track of your attendance, your times, and your standings, which is pretty cool. All you do is show up!

What Happens When You Arrive?

When you get to parkrun, you are immediately swept up into the crowd of people, all ready to celebrate the morning. Hop right in! At the appointed time, the Course Marshall rounds everyone up to talk about the event. They welcome newcomers and visitors (once you have a bar code, you are welcome to attend any parkrun you like), and give instructions for the 5K. And when all that is completed, it’s time to go!

About The 5K

At my local parkrun, the course runs through a fairly cool public park. It’s all paved, but there are some out-and-backs where it’s easy to get turned around. Fortunately, there are volunteers on the course, guiding people along (and taking pictures!). I liked that there was some open space, some cuts through a forest area, and some time spent along the disc golf course. It was very different from where I usually run, and I am all about a change of pace.

The Finish Line

After 3.1 miles, it was time to hit the finish line. It was a little anticlimactic, because of the onslaught of rain, and I just wanted to scoot before it got worse. When runners cross the finish line, they receive a little tag, which they then submit to a parkrun volunteer with their barcode. This records your time and attaches it to your parkrun account, along with stats like your standing in that particular event, as well as your overall standing in all the parkruns across the country. So cool.

What Did I Love About parkrun?

I’m a sucker for community and inclusivity, and parkrun had all of these things. Everyone was incredibly welcoming and supportive. No matter if you were an original runner or new that day, all the runners were treated as part of the family, which was just so lovely. The volunteers were super kind and patient, and made the experience so pleasant. I also loved that no runner is left behind in parkrun. One volunteer agrees to walk the course behind everyone else, to make sure everyone gets to the end while feeling all the love.

Parkrun is about an hour away from where I live, making it a tough Saturday morning trip, but I’m glad that it’s an option. I have only attended one so far, but that’s only because of other commitments. I’ll get back to it, soon. After all, I have my bar code, so I’m ready to run!

Do you have a parkrun near you? Do you or would you participate?

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