parkrun, the global health and wellbeing charity which provides free, weekly community events across the UK and globally is launching a new OOH and social media campaign to promote the enormous physical and mental health benefits participants can enjoy.
The campaign has been created by agency Meanwhile, and highlights how parkrun has the support of a Royal College of General Practitioners initiative to prescribe parkrun to patients. GPs who prescribe it say it has helped patients with anxiety, depression, and other serious conditions like helping people move off long-term medication for conditions like diabetes.
James Cross, CCO and founder of Meanwhile, said: “Many people may not realise how truly transformative taking part in your local parkrun can be in their lives. From helping with mental health, reducing social isolation, and improving physical health too, the societal benefits are huge. So it’s with great pride and importance that we’re able to help the charity get this brilliant story out into the world.”
Dido O’Reilly of parkrun commented; “This is an exciting next step to work with Meanwhile as our creative partner to empower people to come together and be social and active outdoors, with a cutting edge campaign celebrating parkrun’s positive impact in not just mental health, but physical wellbeing too.”
parkrun began as a modest gathering in Bushy Park, London, in 2004, where 13 friends participated for a timed 5km run. Today, it has evolved into a global event with millions of participants worldwide every weekend, becoming a staple activity for runners of all abilities. The runs are entirely volunteer led and open to anyone of any age, ability or background and people are welcome to walk, jog, run, volunteer or come and watch.
5K events take place on Saturdays and a 2K event series for children aged four-14 is held on a Sunday morning.
