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Bek Milne is fifth generation military and has served for more than 20 years, which has included 18 house moves. Bek explains how the structure and routine of parkrun makes perfect sense for veterans and their families, and how volunteering at parkrun is a great opportunity to find your place and your people in your new community.

Emma lives with Williams Syndrome, which means she has some intellectual and spatial awareness challenges. But it also gives her some special qualities as a volunteer, including the ability to recognise new parkrunners and to put them at ease.

Michelle was a fit and active younger person but she stopped when she had kids. Following a relationship breakdown and the pandemic lockdowns, a parkrun started close to Michelle’s house and she has been volunteering there ever since.

Seven years after Annie signed up for parkrun, she finally mustered the courage to come along for the first time — and hasn't looked back! In this short film, Annie explains how walking at parkrun has transformed not only her life but that of her family.

A woman is handing a parkrun finish token to young boy.

A large group of smiling volunteers are standing next to a parkrun flag.

A smiling woman in a volunteer vest is holding a sign that says 'First Timers'.

A woman parkrunner who is walking with an oxygen tank is smiling and being handed a finish token by a volunteer.

A man and woman are finishing parkrun and being handed a finish token by a volunteer.

Two men with volunteer Tail Walker vests are walking together.

An older woman wearing a volunteer vest is smiling at the camera and clapping.

A young woman who is volunteering as a Barcode Scanner is smiling at the camera.

A woman wearing a Tail Walker volunteer vest is walking with two children and holding their hands.

A large group of volunteers are standing next to a parkrun flag and smiling.

Two men wearing volunteer vests are standing together and smiling.

Two men are smiling at the camera. One is wearing a red volunteer vest and one is wearing a Run Director vest.

Vier Helfer stehen zusammen und lachen

Four volunteers are standing together and smiling.

Fünf lachende Helfende stehen neben einem Start-Schild und zeigen "Daumen nach oben"

Five smiling volunteers are standing next to a 'start' sign and giving a thumbs up.

Eine Gruppe von Helfenden klatscht und lacht

A group of volunteers are clapping and smiling.

Eine Gruppe von Helfenden hält parkrun Schilder hoch und lacht

A group of volunteers are holding parkrun signs and smiling.

A group of smiling volunteers is standing behind a pop up banner that features the name of the event, Fethard Town.

A Run Director is giving the Event Welcome using a megaphone.

A group of smiling volunteers are posing for a photo on a cold and wet morning.

A group of smiling volunteers are posing with the start and finish signs on a warm and sunny morning.

Un volontario consegna un token ad una signora.

Tre volontari stanno uno accanto all'altro e sorridono

ボランティアの人たちが笑顔で集まっている。

A group of volunteers are smiling.

笑顔のボランティアの人たちがparkrunの旗とサインボードを持っている。

A group of smiling volunteers are holding a parkrun flag and some parkrun signs.

スマートフォンを持ったタイム計測係のボランティアが笑っている。

A volunteer Timekeeper is holding her phone and laughing.

二人の女性のボランティアが笑顔でparkrunのサインボードを持っている。

Two women volunteers are holding parkrun signs and smiling.

女性の最後尾確認係が微笑んでいる。

A woman Tail Walker is smiling.

男性と子供が二人の最後尾確認係の前を歩いている。

A man and a boy are walking in front of two volunteer Tail Walkers.

ボランティアが男性のparkrunバーコードを微笑みながらスキャンしている。

A volunteer is scanning a man's parkrun barcode and smiling.

ボランティアが通り過ぎる参加者に笑顔で拍手を送っている。

A volunteer is smiling and clapping as another parkrunner runs by.

Seorang sukarelawan wanita tersenyum

A woman volunteer is smiling.

Dua orang sukarelawan wanita tersenyum

Two women volunteers are smiling.

Sekumpulan sukarelawan tersenyum

A group of volunteers are smiling at the camera.

Een groep glimlachende vrijwilligers staat naast een parkrunvlag.

A group of smiling volunteers is standing next to a parkrun flag.

Een vrijwillige tijdwaarnemer houdt glimlachend zijn telefoon in zijn hand.

A volunteer timekeeper is holding his phone and smiling.

Een vrouwelijke evenementleider-vrijwilliger heet iedereen welkom.

A woman volunteer Run Directing is giving the event welcome.

A volunteer Run Director is encouraging a woman runner.

A volunteer Tail Walker and volunteer Park Walker are walking together.

A volunteer is handing out a finish token and smiling at the camera.

A woman volunteer course marshal is directing two male runners.

A woman volunteer is having her photo taken by a young girl with a smartphone.

A volunteer Timekeeper is standing next to the parkrun flag and smiling.

A young girl in a volunteer vest is taking photos on her smartphone.

A woman volunteer is smiling during the Event Welcome.

A volunteer is holding a reel of finish tokens. The camera is focussed on the finish tokens.

A smiling male volunteer Timekeeper is standing next to the parkrun flag and giving a thumbs up.

A smiling volunteer Run Director is standing next to the parkrun flag.

A man and woman volunteer are standing together. They are looking at the woman's phone and smiling.

A group of volunteers are smiling.

A group of smiling volunteers are walking together.

A man and a girl wearing volunteer vests are walking together. The man is waving at the camera.

A volunteer is holding the First Timers board and speaking to parkrunners.

A group of smiling volunteers is standing at a table and organising their equipment.

A woman volunteer is smiling and holding a First Timers sign.

A group of volunteers are smiling and giving two thumbs up.

A man volunteer in a Run Director vest is standing with two women volunteers.

Three volunteers are standing next to the parkrun start sign.

Six volunteers are standing next to each other and smiling.

A group of volunteers are smiling.

Two male volunteers are smiling.

Trzy uśmiechające się uczestniczki. Dwie trzymają oznaczenia parkrun.

Three women volunteers are smiling. Two are holding parkrun signs.

Wolontariusz parkrun stojący w śniegu, odwrócony od aparatu i uśmiechający się do uczestników zbliżających się w jego kierunku.

A parkrun volunteer is standing the snow, facing away from the camera and cheering on runners coming towards them.

A volunteer Tail Walker and a walker are walking towards the camera. They are smiling and giving a thumbs up.

A volunteer is giving the First Timers Welcome and a woman next to him is translating in sign language.

Two women volunteers and a male volunteer are smiling at the camera.

A woman volunteer marshal on the course is smiling and clapping.

A woman Run Director is giving the Event Welcome to a group of people.

A group of volunteers are smiling at the camera.

A group of volunteers are smiling at the camera.

When Belinda was 18 she contracted a bacterial infection that severely impacted her ability to walk. Determined to keep moving, Belinda started walking at parkrun to complement her wheelchair sports, and before long she was volunteering at parkrun as a Run Director too.

In deze video zien we hoe leuk en makkelijk barcodescannen is, en dat iedereen het kan!

In this video we see how fun and easy barcode scanning is, and how anyone can do it!

De Routecontrole is een verplichte vrijwilligersrol waarbij wordt gecontroleerd of de route veilig te gebruiken is en dat er niets aanwezig is dat de route onveilig zou kunnen maken voor deelnemers of vrijwilligers.

The Event Day Course Check is a compulsory volunteer roles that involves checking that the course is safe to use and is free from anything that may make it unsafe for walkers, runners and volunteers.

Deze video laat zien wat er komt kijken bij het opbouwen van het evenement.

This video explores what's involved in Pre Event Setup.

De briefing voor nieuwe lopers creëert een vriendelijke en gastvrije sfeer voor nieuwkomers, beantwoordt vragen en zorgt voor een geweldige eerste indruk!

The First Timers Welcome creates a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for first timers, answers questions, and creates a great first impression!

Routeregelaars voeren verschillende taken uit, waaronder het geven van aanwijzingen, zorgen voor veiligheid op het parcours en aanmoedigen.

Course Marshals perform a variety of tasks which include giving directions, ensuring safety on the course and cheerleading.

De sluitloper is een vriendelijk gezicht dat vrijwillig als laatste finisht. De rol biedt ondersteuning en aanmoediging langs het parcours en zorgt ervoor dat iedereen meetelt.

The Tail Walker role is a friendly face or faces who volunteer to finish last! They provide support and encouragement along the course and ensure everyone is accounted for.

Tijdwaarnemers zijn verantwoordelijk voor het registreren van de finishtijden van alle deelnemers aan het evenement met behulp van de Virtual Volunteer app.

Timekeepers are responsible for recording the finish times of all participants at the event using the Virtual Volunteer app.

De Evenementleider heeft de verantwoordelijkheid voor het coördineren van een parkrunevenement.

The Run Director has overall responsibility for coordinating a parkrun event.

De parkwalker(s) loopt (lopen) voor de sluitloper maar achter de hardlopers. Ze geven steun en aanmoediging aan de wandelaars en zorgen ervoor dat die zich deel voelen van de parkrungemeenschap.

The parkwalker(s) walks ahead of the Tail Walker but behind those who are running. They provide support and encouragement to walkers and ensures they feel part of the parkrun community.

A man and woman volunteer are side by side with their arms around each other, smiling at the camera.

A man and young boy in yellow volunteer vests are looking at the camera.

A group of 10 volunteers is smiling at the camera.

A group of 11 volunteers are smiling.

A male volunteer is speaking with a man and a woman.

A volunteer Tail Walker is smiling.

Three women volunteers are smiling. One is holding a 'parkwalker' sign and one is holding a sign inviting people to volunteer.

A volunteer and another man are Nordic Walking at parkrun

A man in a wheelchair is rolling alongside a woman volunteer who is walking. They are talking.

A group of 6 volunteers are smiling.

Three volunteers carrying equipment are walking and smiling.

8 parkrun volunteers are standing side by side in the snow and smiling.

Timekeeping at parkrun is a super simple volunteer role that’s actually heaps of fun. As this short video shows, it’s so much fun that you can even make some fairy bread whilst you’re doing it!

Barcode scanning is a fun volunteer role that anyone can try. This short video shows just how easy it is — even if you’re blindfolded!

This 60 second video shows 7 ways that you can create a great parkrun experience for yourself and your fellow walkers, runners and volunteers!

Vivienne Buttigieg at 78 years young completed her 500th parkrun on 10 August 2024! Viv took up running in the year 2000 when she was 54, and started her parkrun journey at Coomera on 2 March 2013 where she came in 54th, with a time of 36:04.

Getting your steps up feels amazing. It just feels different at parkrun.

Melanie is the mum of five girls, including eight-year-old twins. In this short video, Melanie talks about how parkrun helped her to rediscover the joys of physical activity, and why she believes walking and running is an important life skill for her daughters.

Emma lives with Williams Syndrome, which means she has some intellectual and spatial awareness challenges. But it also gives her some special qualities too, including the ability to recognise new parkrunners and to put them at ease.

Melanie tragically lost her teenage daughter to the flu and became very sick herself, spending three days in ICU and three weeks in hospital. Unable to walk when she was discharged, Melanie registered with parkrun and built up to walking 5k. Now, it's the people she's met through parkrun who keep her coming back.

Alicia was diagnosed with clinical depression in her mid-twenties. Alicia explains how parkrun is one of the most important tools in her toolbox when it comes to managing her mental health.

"Knowing that you've got that group of people you see every Saturday morning, that just get it, is massive for the mental health of young mums." In this video, a group of new mums tell us what parkrun means to them and why parkrun was always about the coffee.

Tayla lives with Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy, which she nicknames 'Cool Person Syndrome'. Tayla hopes her story will inspire other people who live with a disability to give parkrun a try, so please share this short film with someone who might enjoy hearing about Tayla, her Purple Peanut, and how much she enjoys finishing parkrun before her father every Saturday!

Erin lives with endometriosis and started parkrun after numerous surgeries. Erin explains why physical activity is so important for her mental health and wellbeing, and why she feels at home at parkrun.

Amy was teased at school about the way she ran, so when she did go running she did so alone. Amy was incredibly nervous before her first parkrun, but she quickly made friends and discovered that, for her, volunteering at parkrun is better than running.

Ada Macey is a transgender parkrunner in Queensland. Ada explains why it is so important for transgender people to be involved in physical activity and connected to their community, and how there is nothing better than being able to live as yourself.

Veronika was diagnosed with Down's syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism and epilepsy after she was born, and her parents were told she would never walk. Watch how parkrun has given Veronika social confidence and allows Veronika and mum, Kylee, to live their best lives.

Gurjinder's first experience of parkrun was as a runner, but she quickly fell in love with volunteering and began involving her daughters too. Eight years on, parkrun has become Gurjinder's weekly 'me time'.

Maria’s home parkrun is two hours from the nearest town. On a Saturday morning, Maria loves nothing more than walking into the desert to spend time with the native wildlife and direct people around this outback parkrun course as a volunteer marshal.

Hanieh moved from Iran to Australia in 2014 and discovered parkrun almost immediately. Hanieh explains how parkrun helped her improve her English and her fitness while expanding her social circle. Oh, and there was another reason too, but you'll need to watch to the end to find out!

Janet and her husband moved to Australia in 2014. As retirees they had to actively make the effort to make friends in their adopted homeland, so they went to parkrun to try to meet a few people. Eight years later they have an enormous circle of friends!

Rachel lives with severe hearing loss, which can make it difficult to visit new places and meet people. However, inspired by a group of friends, Rachel decided to give parkrun a try and has since gone on to run marathons and volunteer to be the Event Director of a new parkrun close to her home.

Laurinda cried the first time she went to parkrun and swore she would never return. But thankfully Laurinda did come back, pretty much every week, and began to enjoy it so much that she started another parkrun on the other side of town.

Merrilyn has volunteered at parkrun more than 440 times and has never completed the 5km course. Merrilyn reveals how parkrun has had a transformational effect on her mental health and given her newfound confidence.

When Vanessa started parkrun 10 years ago she had never run 5km before and wanted to meet some new people. Since then, her mum started running at the age of 60 and the daughter she pushed in a pram now runs and volunteers alongside her.

Everyone has their own parkrun story on how they first started. Alicia shares her journey from nervous first-timer to happy walker and talker.

When Belinda was 18 she contracted a bacterial infection that severely impacted her ability to walk. Determined to keep moving, Belinda started walking at parkrun to complement her wheelchair sports, and before long she was volunteering at parkrun as a Run Director too.

When Letchumy and her family moved from Malaysia to Australia in 2016, they were looking for activities to help them meet people, visit new places and be physically active. Letchumy and her daughter Sahitra explain how parkrun ticked all three boxes and helped them settle in a new country.

Janine explains how becoming a Run Director at parkrun has increased her confidence and had a positive impact on her life.

Rachel started parkrun because she wanted an activity that wasn’t focussed on weight loss, and as a student at the time it helped that parkrun was also free!

Bek Milne is fifth generation military and has served for more than 20 years, which has included 18 house moves. Bek explains how the structure and routine of parkrun makes perfect sense for veterans and their families, and how it's a great opportunity to find your place and your people in your new community.

Kerry sat in her car for six weeks before plucking up the courage to open the door and walk over to parkrun. She was worried that she would be expected to run the whole way, but on that first day she met Lynne and Jennifer who reassured her that she could go at her own pace and invited her for coffee. Now, these three women don't just do parkrun together — they do life together.

Jenny and Natascha participate in one of the world's most remote parkruns. In this two-minute video, they explain why community activities are so important in bringing people together in remote locations and how parkrun has become an asset to their town.

When Leela changed her gender marker from male to female it reinforced to her how inclusive the parkrun community is, and she now uses volunteering as a way of supporting others starting their own parkrun story.

Wendy went to parkrun for the first time because she wanted to lose weight, but little did she know that her decision would ultimately save her life.

Olive and Freya are best friends who love nothing more than catching up at parkrun each Saturday for a run and a chat.

When Tracy moved from mainland Australia to Flinders Island in Bass Strait, she was surprised to learn that the island of just 900 people had a parkrun. This is Tracy’s story of how parkrun on the island has transformed her life and helped her find a place in her new community.

Cristina, Evangeline, Angelina and Nora are originally from the Philippines and now live in Queensland. parkrun is the one time they get each week to walk, run, chat, mix with different cultures and share their famous Filipino food!

Michelle was a fit and active younger person but she stopped when she had kids. Following a relationship breakdown and the pandemic lockdowns, a parkrun started close Michelle’s house and she has never looked back.

Dawn and Jess met at their local parkrun four years ago and have been friends ever since. With an age gap spanning almost seven decades, their friendship shows just how enriching it can be to form meaningful connections with people of different ages.

Three women of different ages are walking and laughing at parkrun. They are all wearing long pants and jackets.

A woman in a red shirt and white is running and smiling at parkrun. She is giving a peace sign with her right hand. On her right arm is a black smartphone strap.

A woman in a red tutu, red shirt and red cap is running and smiling at parkrun. She is giving a thumbs up.

A woman in a black singlet and black cap is holding a yellow parkrun Welcome sign

Three women are walking and talking at parkrun. One of the women is wearing a blue volunteer parkwalker vest.

A woman in a volunteer parkwalker vest is walking and smiling.

A woman in a white shirt and a woman in a red shirt are walking along a path at parkrun and smiling.

A woman facing the opposite direction is being hugged by twin girls who are looking over her shoulders and smiling.

A smiling woman in a black puffer jacket is walking at parkrun and holding the hand of a toddler.

A woman volunteer in a red volunteer vest is talking to a woman volunteer in a red volunteer vest.

A woman volunteer in a blue parkwalk vest is finishing parkrun and collecting her token from a woman volunteer in a red volunteer vest. The walker is pushing a wheelchair with an oxygen bottle in it and she has an oxygen tube fitted around her face and neck. She has a big smile.

Two women walkers in jumpers have their arms around each other and a smiling and waving.

A woman in a red volunteer vest is scanning the barcode of another parkrunner. She is smiling.

A woman in a red parkrun volunteer vest and parkrun visor is smiling.

Two women are walking at parkrun. They are smiling and waving.

A smiling woman in a bright pink shirt is in the middle of a group of runners at parkrun.

A woman in a red parkrun volunteer vest is holding a yellow Welcome sign and smiling.

Two women are walking and talking at parkrun

Three women are walking side by side at parkrun on a gravel trail next to a river. One is pushing a pram and one has a dog on a short lead. They are all smiling

A mum and daughter at parkrun are standing next to each other and smiling

Two women at parkrun are hugging and smiling.

A woman in a volunteer parkwalker vest is pushing a pram. There is a woman next to her in a blue shirt. Both women are smiling

Two women are walking at parkrun. One is wearing a red shirt and one has a light green singlet. They are both waving.

Two women volunteer Tail Walkers are walking next to each other and smiling. They are giving a thumbs up.

A woman is holding a young girl's hand. They are running and smiling. The woman is wearing a red shirt and multi-coloured tights and the young girl is wearing a bright yellow dress.

A woman in a red parkrun volunteer vest is standing and smiling in front of the parkrun flag.

A woman in a red parkrun volunteer vest is smiling. She is wearing a headcovering.

A woman volunteer is walking in a yellow Tail Walker volunteer vest and is holding the hands of two children beside her.

A woman is walking and smiling at parkrun. A volunteer in the background is encouraging her.

A woman walking on a coastal footpath at parkrun and pushing a pram.

Two women are parkrunning along a coastal path with the ocean in the background. They are smiling.

An older woman in a white shirt and blue wide-brimmed hat is walking and smiling at parkrun.

A woman in a grey top and black cap is in the middle of a group of joggers at parkrun. She is smling and waving.

A woman in a white singlet wearing headphones and a smartwatch is giving a thumbs up.

A woman volunteer at parkrun wearing a red vest and holding a yellow "Welcome" sign

Two female parkrun volunteers in red shirts are talking.

A woman at parkrun in a purple shirt is running and waving.

A woman in a blue singlet is running through the forest and smiling.

A woman and girl at parkrun are smiling They are wearing singlets.

A woman at parkrun is walking and smiling. She is wearing a black shirt and pushing a pram.

A woman at parkrun in a black singlet and blue tights with tatoos on her left arm is walking and smiling.

A woman in a red shirt and earphones is running and smiling at parkrun.

Two women at parkrun are walking together and smiling.

A young woman at parkrun in a black shirt is running and smiling.

A young woman in a black shirt and white necklace is running and smiling at parkrun

A mum at parkrun is running and smiling. Her two daughters are in front of her

A woman at parkrun is pushing a double pram with two children is jogging and smiling.

A woman at parkrun wearing a purple shirt and a black hat is running and smiling.

Two women at parkrun are smiling. One woman is wearing a volunteer parkwalker vest.

A woman at parkrun wearing a singlet and earphones is walking and smiling.

Millions of women and girls around the world walk, run and volunteer at parkrun events. This editable template presentation is designed for anyone who wants to talk to a group of people about what parkrun is, how it works, how easy it is to get involved, and what the benefits are.

This presentation gives an overview of how to get involved as a walker, runner or volunteer at parkrun, with a specific section targeted at students and teachers.

At parkrun, we want to make physical activity (including volunteering) fun and social for people from a young age so that it becomes a lifelong habit. This presentation supports anyone in a school environment to talk about the benefits of parkrun to their pupils and their peers.

Thousands of health professionals around the world regularly signpost their patients to parkrun for fresh air, friendship and fitness. This presentation supports practitioners and practice staff to introduce patients and colleagues to parkrun and provides an overview of some of the benefits.

The parkrun Practice Initiative supports GPs and practice staff to create a link with their local parkrun(s), start a conversation with patients about parkrun and to introduce that person to parkrun as a walker, runner, volunteer or spectator. This presentation empowers GPs and practice staff with a resource to introduce parkrun to patients and colleagues.

parkrun strives to make its events as accessible and inclusive as possible for people who live with disabilities and long-term health conditions. This presentation provides an overview of many frequently asked questions and showcases several parkrunners who show just how empowering parkrun can be.

parkruns have been taking place in correctional facilities and youth detention centres since 2017. This presentation gives an overview of how parkrun operates in facilities that are closed to the general public, and explores how officers, staff, contractors and residents can be involved as walkers, runners, volunteers and spectators.

"At parkrun there is never any judgement. It's a safe space." - Alicia

"I came to parkrun to run but I discovered volunteering. That to me is better than running." - Amy

"It took me 7 years from signing up with parkrun to going along, but since then it has changed my life." - Annie

"In the Army we move all the time. parkrun is the same wherever you go and is a great way to experience your new community." - Bek

"I get excited about going to parkrun and volunteering." - Emma

"parkrunning with a friend is better than running alone. We chat the whole way then sprint to the finish!" - Freya & Olive

"parkrun is my 'me time'." - Gurjinder

"parkrun helped me meet new people and practice my English when I moved from Iran to Australia. I also met my husband through parkrun!" - Hanieh

"I'm a shy person. Volunteering at parkrun gives me the chance to develop my personal skills and public speaking." - Janine

"I was running to the finish and this dear boy started cheering and running with me. It gave me a wonderful feeling of joy!" - Jo

"We all met at parkrun, but we don't just do parkrun together. We do life together." - Kerry, Lynn & Jennifer

"Every mum should be able to go for a run with their teenage daughter. We just do it differently to most." - Kylee

"Walk, run, volunteer, spectate. parkrun is an activity that our whole family can do together every week." - Laurinda

"I didn't know anyone when I moved to Australia in 2016. parkrun helped me meet people and discover new places. - Letchumy

I love nothing more than walking into the desert every Saturday morning to volunteer as course marshal. It's my happy place." - Maria

"I found parkrun after my teenage daughter tragically passed away. It helps me connect with people who have similar stories." - Melanie

"I have volunteered at parkrun 440 times and never walked or run the 5km course." - Merrilyn

"We live in one of the most remote towns in Australia. parkrun helps to build our community." - Natascha

"parkrun has given me confidence and empowers me to be a role model for other young women." - Rachel

"parkrun gives me the chance to show that people with disabilities can be active in their community." - Tayla

"I started parkrun to lose weight and a year later found a cancerous lump in my breast. Without parkrun I would not be alive today." - Wendy

The University of Sydney is currently undertaking an analysis of parkrun Australias Move It AUS women and girls project. The findings will be published here, so please keep an eye on the updates section of this website or keep an eye on parkrun Australias social media channels and weekly newsletter.

Beck was a Canberra parkrunner who was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer at just 47, having never been a smoker. Before she passed away at the age of 50, Beck was determined to share her story of how parkrun gave her a sense of normality during her treatment and had a positive impact on her mental health.

A volunteer Run Director is encouraging a woman runner.

This study examines the health, social and wellbeing impacts of parkrun engagement among walkers, runners and volunteers living with a mental health condition.

Effective organisation and delivery of parkrun events rely on volunteers. This study explores the motivations and commitment of volunteers who provide these services to further our understanding of volunteers at sport events.

This study analyses the complex and somewhat conflicting system of preference, intrapersonal and structural constraints, mutual aid, and social exchange that can impact a parkrunner's motivation to volunteer — or to not!

This study, published in the European Journal of Marketing, looks at what motivates people to volunteer at parkrun, what they get out of it, and how they engage with parkrun as an organisation.

Rachel started parkrun because she wanted an activity that wasn’t focussed on weight loss, and as a student at the time it helped that parkrun was also free! Over time, Rachel began to volunteer and eventually became a Run Director at her local parkrun.

Merrilyn has volunteered at parkrun more than 440 times and has never completed the 5km course. Merrilyn reveals how parkrun has had a transformational effect on her mental health and given her newfound confidence.

Laurinda cried the first time she went to parkrun and swore she would never return. But thankfully Laurinda did come back, and began to enjoy it so much that she volunteered to start another parkrun on the other side of town.

Janet and her husband moved to Australia in 2014. As retirees they had to actively make the effort to make friends in their adopted homeland, so they went to parkrun to try to meet a few people. Eight years later they have an enormous circle of friends!

Janine explains how becoming a Run Director at parkrun has increased her confidence and had a positive impact on her life.

Maria’s home parkrun is two hours from the nearest town. On a Saturday morning, Maria loves nothing more than walking into the desert to spend time with the native wildlife and direct people around this outback parkrun course as a volunteer marshal.

When Leela changed her gender marker from male to female it reinforced to her how inclusive the parkrun community is, and she now uses volunteering as a way of supporting others starting their own parkrun story.

Amy was teased at school about the way she ran, so when she did go running she did so alone. Amy was incredibly nervous before her first parkrun, but she quickly made friends and discovered that, for her, volunteering at parkrun is better than running.

Melanie tragically lost her teenage daughter to the flu and became very sick herself, spending three days in ICU and three weeks in hospital. Unable to walk when she was discharged, Melanie registered with parkrun and built up to walking 5k. Melanie now walks and volunteers at parkrun, and it's the people she's met there who keep her coming back.

Beck was a Canberra parkrunner who was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer at just 47, having never been a smoker. Before she passed away at the age of 50, Beck was determined to share her story of how parkrun gave her a sense of normality during her treatment and had a positive impact on her mental health.

The Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for managing the volunteer roster, which can be done during the week or at a parkrun event.

During the week they may use various communication channels to source volunteers such as Event Management System (EMS) and social media, and respond to offers to help. At the event, the Volunteer Coordinator may meet the volunteers, talk them through their roles and ensure they feel confident and supported.

The parkwalker volunteer role was created to demonstrate that walking at parkrun is both encouraged and valued.

During the event, the parkwalker(s) will be positioned ahead of the Tail Walker but behind those who are running. They provide support and encouragement to anyone who is walking and ensure that everyone who is walking feels part of the parkrun community.

The Event Day Course Check involves checking that the course is safe to use and is free from anything that may make it unsafe to walkers, runners and volunteers.

These volunteers help the Run Director prepare for the event. This may include: the placement of markers and/or signage around the course, setting up the start/finish area including the finish funnel, and placing signs and/or cones to indicate the route.

The role of the First Timers Welcome is to create a welcoming and friendly atmosphere for first timers and visitors by describing parkrun, its inclusiveness and ethos, and highlighting any course-specific information. Seeing this role on a volunteer roster may be very comforting to a brand new participant.

Course marshals perform a variety of tasks which include giving directions, ensuring safety on the course and cheerleading.

The Tail Walker role is a friendly face or faces, who stay right at the back of the field and should be the last to go through the finish funnel, ensuring that everyone is accounted for.

The Timekeeper is responsible for recording the finish times of all participants at the event (using the Virtual Volunteer app).

The barcode scanner is responsible for scanning people's finish token and barcode after they've completed the course.

The Run Director has overall responsibility for event safety and oversees proceedings during the event and at the finish line. They must be near the start and/or finish area at all times. The Run Director has the ultimate authority to decide whether the event should be cancelled or postponed or if an adjustment to the course is required.

The Run Director also welcomes all parkrunners to the event via the pre-event brief and communicates all important messages prior to the event start, recognises the contributions of the volunteers, acknowledge visitors, first-timers and ensures everyone understands the event and stays safe for the duration.