Exercising more, losing weight and being healthier are up there with the most common New Year’s resolutions every year.
And whilst parkrun is nothing new (in fact, it celebrated its 20th birthday in 2024), its popularity is continuing to grow in the UK and across Staffordshire with thousands of people taking part each Saturday morning.
For those who don’t know, parkruns are volunteer-run free, timed 5km events, most taking place at 9am each Saturday.
But what makes them so special is its inclusive approach and community feel. People can take part regardless of ability (local events see everyone from seasoned runners to parents with children and dogwalkers joining in), there is no time limit, and, thanks to volunteer tail walkers, no one finishes last.
Briefings before each event starts and marshals along the way help newcomers at every venue and results received on email after the event help keep track of progress and provide useful statistics for setting targets.
There are currently 1,300 parkrun events around the country and Staffordshire has a good number, plus many more in the surrounding counties.
Here are five local ones to try:
When you consider the beauty of The Trentham Estate, it’s no wonder that Trentham Gardens parkrun is quite regularly ranked in the top 10 busiest parkruns in the country.
The one-lap course – the only one in the country to take you alongside a monkey forest – circumnavigates the lake and the famous Italian gardens but a well-managed long funnel handles the large number of participants well.
This event, which is helping to put the area on the map for parkrunners around the country, also boasts free parking and an array of eateries and shops to visit afterwards.
This parkrun attracts much less people than the Trentham one (usually between 200 and 400 compared to the 547 low and 1064 high at Trentham this year) but is another beautiful spot for a run/walk/jog.
The mixed terrain slightly undulating route in the woodland is set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and starts and finishes near Cannock Chase’s visitors’ centre.
Birchall Playing Fields parkrun
Staffordshire’s newest parkrun only started in December so it is set to stage just its fourth event tomorrow.
However, numbers have already crept above 230 and will no doubt rise further as the word gets out and people add a new course to their list of achievements. (Of last week’s 237 parkrunners, 212 were first-timers).
The playing fields are just outside of Leek and the flat course starts and finishes on the all-weather track but also includes three laps on tarmac/a grass path.
When the parkrun bug gets you, you’ll no doubt start hearing about or planning your own parkrun alphabet challenge – a mission to complete a course starting with each letter of the alphabet.
Isabel Trail parkrun is one of only a handful in the country beginning with ‘I’ so is popular with tourists, but its marshals ensure it is well-organised and everyone knows what to do and where to go.
The mostly-flat course itself is an out and back route on a tarmac path not far out of Stafford town centre and uses the track bed of the former Stafford to Uttoxeter railway line.
Hanley Park is one of Stoke-on-Trent’s heritage parks, close to both the city centre and the railway station making this parkrun a conveniently placed must-try during the city’s centenary year.
Despite its inclines and being a challenge, Hanley parkrun – a two-and-a-half-lap course – has one of the lowest average finish times in the county (29 minutes, 36 seconds).
It is also an event which often stays on when others nearby are forced to cancel due to bad weather.
Other parkruns in the county include Battlestead Croft, in Burton upon Trent; Beacon, in Lichfield; Bramshall Road, Uttoxeter; Chasewater, near Burntwood; Tamworth Castle Grounds; and The Wammy, near Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Tips:
- All parkruns are free but you should register in advance here and take a scannable copy of your barcode along on the day.
- Everyone is welcome regardless of ability and whether you’re running, jogging or walking – enjoy at your own pace.
- Each parkrun has its own useful website with a course description, results page and news section as well as information on where post parkrun coffees are held.
- Children are welcome to join in too (under 11s must be within arm’s reach of a responsible adult), but four to 14-year-olds who don’t fancy 5km, should check out junior parkruns which cover 2km and take place on Sunday mornings. Staffordshire ones are Clough Hall, near Kidsgrove; Burslem Park, Stoke-on-Trent; Longton Park, Stoke-on-Trent; Cannock Chase Forest; and Beacon, in Lichfield.
- Volunteers are always needed, and roles are varied. If you can’t take part but would like to help out, visit the volunteering page here.
