A parkrun in every community that wants one

Chrissie Wellington

Head of Participation, parkrun

parkrun background

Founded on 2nd October 2004

By Paul Sinton-Hewitt CBE

5k Time Trial event

Aim

To change lives through regular, community-led events with a

focus on participation in physical activity

Vision

A parkrun in every community that wants one

08/06/20152

The parkrun model

• Non profit

• Free, weekly timed runs

• Areas of open space

• 5k on Saturdays (all ages) 2k on Sundays (4-14yrs)

• Register once, run anywhere

• A run, not a race

• Entirely volunteer-led at local level

08/06/20153

The parkrun family

Four Directors

Seven Members (similar to Trustees)

Ten paid staff members

380+ UK events

80,000 volunteers (= participants)

1.1million registered runners

Collaborative partnerships with others

08/06/20154

From small beginnings…

5

Weekly runners since October 2004

parkrun participation

Almost one quarter of new

registrants active no more than

once per week

08/06/20156

less than once about once

twice three times

Increasing proportion of

inactive registrants

Events across UK, including areas of

deprivation

Broad age range

Family friendly

50% female at registration

Accessible for many

disabled people

FACTORS

CONTRIBUTING TO

OUR SUCCESS &

SUSTAINABILITY

08/06/20157

Supply side: unique operational model

• Demand led: bottom up, community need and ownership

Multi-use of facilities: using open space for recreation

Simple: one set of principles, applied globally

Minimal burden on volunteers: e.g. no processing of

membership fees, limited equipment, simple technology

Training and support provided for all

08/06/20158

Demand side: removes participation barriers

• Financial: free, no dress code or expensive equipment

• Practical: safe, easy to access, no pressure to attend,

limited bureaucracy, family focused (no need for childcare)

• Psychological: not a race (non intimidating), no pressure to

perform, community/family focused, welcoming – reinforced

by marketing/branding

• Physical: walk if you want to, volunteering option

08/06/20159

Taps into motivational triggers

• Friendship and family

• Fun and enjoyment

• Fitness and heath

• Habit forming

• Challenge and achievement

• Rewards and incentives

Philanthropy through volunteering

08/06/201510

Commitment to research

Requests to undertake research

Large number of motivated subjects

Means of filtering and assessing applications

Credible, experienced global Research Board

Groundbreaking, eg largest study of running in pregnancy

Move to become more proactive in shaping research

Full-time data analyst

08/06/201511

Planning for the future… growth means:

12

More events, runners and volunteers

More influence

Better penetration

More understanding

More people, more active, more often