Parkrun: The local jog that became a worldwide hit


Parkrun, an international weekly event that sees people of all ages and abilities gather in outdoor spaces around the world to run 5km or just over three miles, has celebrated its 20th anniversary. The first event, known as the Bushy Park Time Trial, took place in London in October 2004 with just 13 runners in attendance, organised by Paul Sinton-Hewitt who began the event as a way to keep fit after suffering an injury. Since then, the free event has grown to include millions of runners, volunteers, and participants worldwide, with thousands of events taking place each weekend across the globe.

Shorter 2km runs for children aged four to 14 and their families are also held on Sunday mornings. By the time of the 2012 Olympic games, the event had expanded to every London borough. Ireland is the most popular place for Parkrunners worldwide, with between 8-9% of the population registered. Lithuania is the latest country to host a Parkrun, taking the overall tally of nations to 23. In Londo

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