Resources

Interventions that increase population physical activity are required to promote health and wellbeing. parkrun delivers community-based, 5k events worldwide yet 43% who register never participate in a parkrun event. This research had two objectives; i) explore the demographics of people who register for parkrun and don’t initiate or maintain participation ii) understand the barriers to participating in parkrun amongst these people.

With females significantly more likely than males to report the psychological barrier of feeling too unfit to participate in parkrun, the resources created for this project aim to break down the barriers identified in this research and reflect the primary motivations that drive parkrun participation amongst young females.

Studying effective interventions already operating at scale is critical to improving physical activity intervention research translation.parkrun is a free, weekly, timed 5k that represents a unique opportunity to examine successful organic dissemination. This ecological study identified patterns of growth in Australian parkrun participation and their correlates.

With a growing community of more than 20,000 young people starting their Sundays at junior parkrun every week, it’s always been crucial for us to understand their experiences and the benefits they gain from it.

In 2024, the first-ever junior parkrun Health and Wellbeing Survey asked participants across the UK to share their thoughts, with the vast majority reporting a positive experience.

Research conducted by the University of Sydney into the junior parkrun pilot in Australia, concluded there is promise for enabling children to engage in physical activity in their local communities in a fun and inclusive way.

This report, published in September 2025, explores the role of sport in supporting veterans and their families as they transition from military to civilian life.

Every year, approximately 5,500 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel transition out of service, facing challenges such as identity loss, mental health struggles, and social reintegration difficulties. This report highlights the importance of sport as a rehabilitative tool and presents research findings, case studies, and policy recommendations to enhance veteran wellbeing through sport.

The report is structured into multiple sections, each detailing key areas where sport plays a crucial role in improving the lives of veterans. It examines the physiological, psychological, and social benefits of sport, explores existing veteran sporting programs, and outlines barriers to participation.

This report, published in September 2025, explores the economic benefits of sport on the mental and physical wellbeing of Australian Defence Force veterans, as well as aspects of their social wellbeing.

It evaluates the significant role that sports play in enhancing the mental, physical, and social health of veterans and their families, while presenting the potential return on investment for incorporating sports as an upstream intervention for mental health challenges among veterans.

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.

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.