It's huge in the UK And also pretty big in other parts of Europe, Australia, NZ, hasn't caught on in the US though, wondering why?
It's huge in the UK And also pretty big in other parts of Europe, Australia, NZ, hasn't caught on in the US though, wondering why?
Very good question. The only one I personally have heard of is the Fresh Pond 2.5 mile/5 mile race in Mass. (Cambridge). It's existed for decades.
why do you think?
Is it because Americans are always slow on the uptake?
But once they get hold of an idea, they really go to town on it.
So, in 2026 bump this thread.
Jon Orange wrote:
Is it because Americans are always slow on the uptake?
That might be true. It's rare that foreigners come up with new things instead of copying us.
permits. To host an event anywhere, you need to buy permits, pay for police, etc. even if its a low key thing. Getting these permits for state parks is notoriously hard. City parks, where they exist at a size to hold an event like this, can be hard too depending on the municipality, and federal land, don't even think about it. Your best bet for a low key race not affiliated with scholastics is on the grounds of a private school or university and these exist some places in the US. Otherwise just to hold a 200 person 5k you're doing months of work and having to charge upwards of 40$ for permits.
There is no shortage of races in the US. Too many if anything. That's why. Most weekends I could pick from a dozen or races within driving distance.
But there are local 5k races all the time so people out in the effort. For a weekly thing it'd probably be an easier arrangement
But maybe local council areas make it hard
Remember parkrun is a run, not a race. That's how it gets round lots of the UK permit rules.
It's a social gathering as much as anything.
Yanks wouldn't get the concept - it's not monetized, it's not about absolute performance, it's just a great social event, every week.
krgiop wrote:
There is no shortage of races in the US. Too many if anything. That's why. Most weekends I could pick from a dozen or races within driving distance.
There's no shortage of overpriced races. There's a lack of well priced low key 5ks, mile races, half marathons, 10ks, etc... There's some low-key marathons, but who wants to do a marathon with zero support?
I run to win, aka I race. Parkrun sounds like training, and recovery day training at that. Can't I call up ten people, and each can invite whomever they please, and we all meet at the local park at 10a.m. and go for a run? Is this different?
That is a nice Web site. Does every tree in the UK have an Owl in it?
As a guy who has worked in running stores for a long while now, isn't this just a "fun run"?
Free
Set distance
Not a race
Recurring every week
It seems like the Brits are about 40 years late to the fun run craze.
the organizers tell the local officials that it's not a race, but wink, wink.
15:10 for 5km XC is not exactly a "fun run".
Here are some results:
http://www.parkrun.org.uk/results/sub17/
I think this sort of thing would be great in the US and may organize one when I retire. The key is to do it somewhere where you don't need cops/traffic control = costs.
Rodger Kram, Ph.D. wrote:
the organizers tell the local officials that it's not a race, but wink, wink.
15:10 for 5km XC is not exactly a "fun run".
Here are some results:
http://www.parkrun.org.uk/results/sub17/I think this sort of thing would be great in the US and may organize one when I retire. The key is to do it somewhere where you don't need cops/traffic control = costs.
Bushy park course record is 13:48.
Lenny Leonard wrote:
As a guy who has worked in running stores for a long while now, isn't this just a "fun run"?
Free
Set distance
Not a race
Recurring every week
It seems like the Brits are about 40 years late to the fun run craze.
It actually has timed results online with a set course. It's not like a training group meetup.
I see that 5 cities are listed when registering under the US. Not near me, but I would definitely parkrun, at least monthly. It's a easy, cheap, nearby place to test out your skill without being too public.
Where do you draw the line between running clubs and parkrun?
Jon Orange wrote:
Is it because Americans are always slow on the uptake?
But once they get hold of an idea, they really go to town on it.
So, in 2026 bump this thread.
Britain used to own America. Who is slow on the uptake?
PDX has stumptown races. They seem to be similar to Parkrun in concept.
The reason is that it would rely on volunteers. You know people who are not so self important as to give up their time.