On Oct. 2, 2004, 13 runners gathered in London’s Bushy Park for what would mark the start of a global running phenomenon: parkrun–a simple, free, weekly timed 5K event aimed at making running accessible to everyone. It would attract more than 10 million participants worldwide. On Saturday, parkrun is set to celebrate its global 20th anniversary.
Are you joining us this weekend? 🎉 #TheFeelGoodMovement pic.twitter.com/LfO5dHhfFr
— parkrun 🌳 (@parkrun) October 4, 2024
The inaugural event, held by founder Paul Sinton-Hewitt, started small. The second week saw just one additional runner, bringing the total to 14. But by Christmas of that year, participation had grown to 25 runners. From these humble beginnings, parkrun has evolved into a celebrated weekly event across hundreds of cities around the world. The organization has since expanded to more than 2,500 locations across nearly two dozen countries, stretching from small community parks to 25 prisons.
Canada, which joined parkrun in 2016, boasts 51 locations, ranging from bustling urban areas in Toronto, Calgary and Ottawa to scenic local parks in B.C.’s Okanagan valley and Canmore, Alta. The first Canadian event, Nose Hill parkrun in Calgary, sparked a vibrant running community, and since then, more than 300,000 participants have taken part in parkrun events across Canada.
Reflecting on the early days, founder Sinton-Hewitt said in an interview with The Associated Press that he didn’t anticipate how quickly parkrun would catch on. “I didn’t care how many people came,” he said. “I would be on the start line every single week for the rest of my life, helping people to run.”
Recently, Lithuania became the 23rd country to launch parkrun, with its first event held in the capital, Vilnius—home to Lithuanian ultrarunning star Aleksandr Sorokin. The organization also has plans to expand into Uganda, Portugal, and Switzerland soon. Despite its remarkable growth, parkrun has stayed true to its core values: offering a free, timed, inclusive 5K that is welcoming and as competitive (or relaxed) as participants want it to be. Whether you’re chasing a personal best or simply out for a jog with friends, parkrun’s flexible format ensures everyone feels welcome.
To celebrate parkrun’s 20th anniversary or find your local event, click here.
