Vhi ‘More than Running’ campaign encourages people to volunteer at parkruns

Businesswoman Aimee Connolly, Olympian David Gillick and Vhi clinical psychologist Dr Lydia Mackeogh have launched Vhi’s More Than Running parkrun campaign.

Building on the award-winning More than Running campaign from last year, which showed the health benefits that participating in the parkrun can bring walkers, joggers and runners, Vhi are this year calling on people across the country to volunteer at their local parkruns – for the benefit of participants, and for their own health and wellbeing too.

A recent Vhi survey of parkrun participants centred on volunteering habits and benefits. Nine out of 10 people surveyed said they would recommend volunteering at a parkrun to friends and family, a ringing endorsement that is reflected in the improvements respondents say they have noticed to their overall wellbeing:

• 93% of respondents say their health and wellbeing has improved from volunteering at parkrun

• 52% say it has helped improved their overall happiness

• 40% say it has helped improve their mental health

• parkrun volunteers also find themselves feeling more connected to others and the local community:

• 81% of respondents say volunteering at parkrun has helped made them feel more connected to local community.

• 61% are motivated to volunteer as a way of supporting their local community

• 49% said it’s an opportunity to meet new people

Vhi is encouraging people in Westmeath to experience those wellbeing benefits for themselves by volunteering at one of the three parkruns in the county – the Old Rain Trail junior parkrun; Mullingar parkrun; and Athlone parkrun.

Matt Shields, parkrun Ireland country manager, said: “The parkrun community is fuelled by our volunteer network, without which we couldn’t put on events up and down the country, week in, week out. They deserve incredible recognition and we’re pleased to see in this Vhi survey that they believe they get as much out of volunteering as they put in.”

Dr Lydia Mackeogh, national clinical psychology lead, Vhi, said their aim is to help members live longer, stronger, healthier lives: “To achieve that it’s vital to look after your mental wellbeing, as well as the physical. A sense of belonging and of feeling connected to others, cannot be underestimated in this regard, and the feedback from the parkrun community illustrates these benefits.”

Vhi ambassador Aimee Connolly is “a huge fan of parkrun, but my experience to date has been as a runner so I can’t wait to put on a high-vis vest and experience it as a volunteer!”.

David Gillick pointed out that from parkrun to the Olympics, no event works without a dedicated team of volunteers. “I’ve been to parkruns up and down the country and at single event I’ve met incredible people devoting their Saturday or Sunday mornings to ensuring a great experience for participants.

“The wellbeing benefits outlined in Vhi’s survey happily show that volunteers get a great deal out of it too, and I’d encourage people to get in touch with their local parkrun and experience those benefits for themselves.”

parkrun in partnership with Vhi supports local communities in organising free, weekly, timed 5km runs every Saturday morning and 2km junior parkruns every Sunday at 140 venues all over Ireland, with around 12,000 people of every age and ability taking part each week. It is the biggest community-led physical activity movement in Ireland with more than 395,000 registered participants and 35,500 registered volunteers. The events are organised by volunteers every weekend from Bere Island to Ballina to Ballinteer. Over 395,350 registered participants have run more than 13 million kilometres at parkrun Ireland events since it started here in November 2012.

To register for a parkrun near you visit www.parkrun.ie. New registrants should select their chosen event as their home location. You will then receive a personal barcode which acts as your free entry to any parkrun event worldwide.

Research

A survey of 1123 parkrun participants took place between August 9 and August 21, 2023.

Vhi More Than Running Roadshows

September 16 – Knocknacarra parkrun, Salthill, Galway, with Vhi ambassador Aimee Connolly

September 30 – Poolbeg parkrun, Irishtown, Dublin, with Vhi ambassador David Gillick

October 7 – Wexford Racecourse parkrun, Wexford, with Vhi ambassador David Gillick