parkrun UK has announced it is to join the Sport for Development Coalition and support the #OpenGoal framework aimed at raising awareness of the wider societal benefits of sport and physical activity.
A global charity, parkrun’s mission is to improve health and wellbeing, with a particular focus on those who might be marginalised from opportunities to be active and socially connected. This aligns with numerous areas of #OpenGoal such as ‘improved health and wellbeing’, ‘stronger communities and social cohesion’ and ‘tackling health and societal inequalities’.
Currently, parkrun delivers over 2,200 parkrun and junior parkrun events in areas of open space across 22 countries around the world, with around 300,000 people walking, jogging, running or volunteering at these community-based events every single weekend.
Being free to take part in and requiring no special clothing or equipment, parkrun events are accessible to all, including those who are less active and may have health conditions. The organisation recognises the value of collaboration and collective endeavour, and is committed to working with other organisations across a range of sectors to empower people and whole communities to come together and change lives for the better.
“We are delighted to join the Sport for Development Coalition, and be part of a growing community of organisations that are collectively championing the positive impacts of active, healthy lifestyles,” said Chrissie Wellington OBE, UK Head of Health and Wellbeing for parkrun.
“Together we can drive significant change and create more opportunities for people to integrate movement and connection into their lives.”
As a supporter of the Coalition, parkrun officially joins the network of more than 400 charities, organisations and networks intentionally using sport and physical activity-based interventions to address health and societal inequalities. Collectively this network over-arches thousands of projects and programmes across the UK.
Through collective action, Coalition supporters aim to increase evidence of impact at scale, build advocacy and awareness for the sport for development sector, and help to facilitate an enabling environment for investment. The Coalition is funded and supported by Sport England, Comic Relief and Laureus Sport for Good.
The Coalition’s Executive Director, Hitesh Patel, commented: “For almost 20 years, parkrun has been helping individuals and communities come together and support their mental and physical health and wellbeing. We are delighted to welcome parkrun to our movement.”
Coalition supporters will unite to mark the UN’s International Day of Sport for Development & Peace on 6th April 2024, which also marks the second anniversary of the #OpenGoal framework. Read the Coalition’s first #OpenGoal annual report and how its supporters used the day in 2023 to share their work.
