Resources
Barriers to initiating and maintaining participation in parkrun (BMC Health)
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.
Patterns and correlates of participation in Australian parkruns (National Library of Medicine)
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.
Move It AUS women and girls analysis
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.
parkrun participation impact and perceived social inclusion among runners and walkers with mental health conditions
This study examines the health, social and wellbeing impacts of parkrun engagement among walkers, runners and volunteers living with a mental health condition.
Motivation and commitment of volunteers at parkrun events
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.
Everyone should muck in: A qualitative study of parkrun volunteering and conflicting motivations
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!
Reframing the practice of volunteering as a collective endeavour through a focal brand community
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.