The millionth parkrun event was held on Sunday at Bushy Park in West London, marking a major milestone for the global running initiative that began there 22 years ago. The original parkrun, organised by founder Paul Sinton-Hewitt, started with just 13 runners and five volunteers in 2004 and has since grown into a worldwide movement.

Dame Kelly Holmes, the Olympic gold medallist, attended the celebration to support participants in the latest 5-kilometer run. Sinton-Hewitt, who is based in Horsham, West Sussex, attributed parkrun’s longevity and popularity to its inclusive nature and the fact that it remains free of charge. “Many people have been born since we started who don’t understand a world where parkrun doesn’t exist,” he commented.

Parkrun has expanded to 23 countries so far, with more than half a million runners participating globally each week. Elizabeth Duggan, CEO at Parkrun Global, outlined plans to increase the number of participating countries to 30 by 2030 and raise weekly runner numbers to 750,000. This reflects the organisation’s ongoing efforts to encourage community engagement and promote health and fitness around the world.

In related news, Darren Wood recently became the first person to complete 1,000 parkruns, underscoring the dedication of many participants who have made the event a long-term commitment. The millionth parkrun event at Bushy Park stands as a testament to the growth and impact of what began as a small local running group and has evolved into a global phenomenon.