Looking for a fun, free way for your kids to get active? Look no further than the junior parkrun at People’s Park! Every Sunday at 9 AM, children aged 4 to 14 can join in on a friendly 2k run, creating lasting memories in a beautiful outdoor setting.
Where It All Began: A Community Initiative
Launched in 2022, junior parkrun quickly became a beloved local event, offering families a safe and welcoming space to enjoy the great outdoors while staying active. Supported entirely by dedicated volunteers, this initiative aligns perfectly with Active Calderdale’s mission to create safe, accessible, and attractive parks and greenspaces for everyone.
To boost participation, the ‘We Are Active Calderdale’ partnership worked closely with Active Calderdale's Community Project Manager, Anthony Whittaker. They reached out to local groups and organisations, spreading the word and encouraging even more families to get involved.
Building Connections
Engagement has been key to increasing participation. Recently, junior parkrun volunteers visited Holy Trinity Primary School for an assembly, inspiring students and leading to a remarkable 10% increase in attendance! It’s a testament to the power of community connections in promoting the benefits of moving more.
The Impact: Real Stories
The impact of junior parkrun is best illustrated through the experiences of participants like Isla Toner, age 8. Isla first heard about the event from her school teacher and participated in her first run on November 27, 2022. Since then, she’s completed an impressive 63 runs, with personal best times improving from 12:52 to an astonishing 9:11!
Isla has achieved multiple wristbands, including those for half marathon, marathon, and ultra-marathon distances. She shares:
“I love running and go to the park run nearly every week. What I like about it is I can set goals and improve on my best time. It’s nice when my dad volunteers to encourage me when I run past him. Some of my school friends also run, which is nice.”
One of Isla’s proudest moments was finishing first and holding ticket number 1—an exciting goal she achieved recently. Inspired by her experiences at junior parkrun, Isla has now joined the Halifax Harriers Athletics Club and is loving every minute of it.
Join the Volunteer Team!
The success of junior parkrun wouldn’t be possible without our fantastic volunteers! If you’d like to help out, we welcome you to join us from 8:45 to 9:30 AM. Roles include timekeeping, barcode scanning, and marshalling—there’s something for everyone!
To get involved, simply register for free at parkrun UK. You can even drop them a message on social media to let them know ahead that you'll be going. Check out the Facebook pages below for People's Park junior parkrun and Brighouse junior parkrun.
Check it out for yourself
Whether you're looking to help out as a volunteer or encourage your children to join in the fun, the junior parkrun at People’s Park is more than just a run; it’s a community movement promoting health, connection, and joy. Come and be part of something special every Sunday at 9 AM!