Parkrun marked a significant milestone on Saturday, celebrating its one millionth event since its inception 22 years ago at Bushy Park in southwest London. The original gathering started modestly in 2004 with just 13 runners and five volunteers, but the weekly 5-kilometer run has since expanded globally, now held in 2,800 locations across 23 countries.

On this anniversary, more than 1,600 runners participated at Bushy Park, reflecting a typical turnout for the event. The course through the historic park is known for its scenic and varied terrain, beginning with a fast start over uneven ground before transitioning to a gravel path that passes a cricket pitch, the remnants of a recently burned pavilion, a centuries-old brick wall, several ponds, and a quaint bridge. Participants often include dogs, which add to the lively atmosphere as they pull along their owners.

Parkrun founder Paul Sinton-Hewitt recalled the event’s origins as a simple run followed by coffee with friends, describing the initiative as a “little event” that has evolved into a widespread community activity. Beyond the main 5km runs on Saturdays, junior park runs covering 2km take place on Sundays, encouraging participation among younger athletes.

The Bushy Park route is frequented by both casual joggers and competitive runners. On this particular day, runner Kirk O’Rourke set a personal best with a time of 15 minutes and 47 seconds, while average completion times typically hover around 28 minutes. Earlier this year, participant Darren Wood reached the landmark of completing 1,000 park runs.

The park itself offers more than just a running experience. Wildlife such as stags, fallow deer, rabbits, squirrels, kingfishers, swans, and recently, Egyptian geese, inhabit the grounds. Runners are advised to maintain distance from protective does during the fawning season. Additionally, a subtle incline halfway through the course provides a natural point for runners to pause and take in their surroundings.

Bushy Park carries significant historical weight. A flag marks the site of a hut where General Dwight D. Eisenhower planned the D-Day invasion during World War II. The area once hosted around 8,000 service personnel and functioned as the headquarters of the US Eighth Army Air Force, known as Camp Griffiss. Beneath the running path lie Bronze Age burial mounds, highlighting layers of history extending back millennia. Nearby, an apple tree grown from a graft of the original Newton apple tree stands at Bushy House, linking the site to the legacy of Sir Isaac Newton.

Originally established in 1529 by King Henry VIII as a deer hunting ground following his acquisition of Hampton Court Palace, Bushy Park now plays host to a weekly parade not of stags fleeing arrows, but of dedicated runners pounding the trail nearly 500 years later.