Staff blog: University Parks parkrun for everyone

Amy Rose O’Hanlon is Oxford University Sport’s Sports Coordinator for Participation. Amy was involved in initiating the Oxford University Parks parkrun shortly after graduating from Oxford, and is now the Co-Event Director. In this blog for Mental Health Awareness Week, Amy tells us about the event and why there is a place at parkrun for everyone. 

Getting parkrun started in University Parks 

“Parkrun is a volunteer-led health and wellbeing initiative that sees thousands of people around the world come together every Saturday morning to complete a free 5km walk or run in green spaces. University Parks parkrun launched in 2022 as a joint initiative between Oxford University Sport, University Parks, and Oxford SU. I led on the operational side of the setup in my role as parkrun Event Support Ambassador for Oxfordshire and I am now the Co-Event Director for the University Parks parkrun. 

How parkrun has grown  

“When I launched University Parks parkrun, I couldn’t be sure how popular the event would be. I had consulted local residents and students during the setup process and knew there was appetite for a parkrun in the centre of the city, but the event would also need the support of about 30 volunteers each week. At the first event in February 2022, 305 people completed the 5km course and 28 people volunteered. Over the past two years, both of those numbers have grown consistently. University Parks parkrun now regularly sees 600 participants each week, and over 800 different people have volunteered at the event.  

Town and gown  

“Watching the community around University Parks parkrun grow has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my involvement with the event. The founding vision was that it should provide an opportunity for the University population to integrate with the local community, and that vision couldn’t have come to life more fully. We don’t record formal data but on any given week in term time I think the split between ‘town’ and ‘gown’ must be fairly even, and that goes for volunteers as well as walkers and runners. I know from my own experience that the Oxford University ‘bubble’ can feel all-consuming at times, and students who take part in parkrun regularly tell us how much they value feeling part of the wider local community too. 

How everyone can get involved  

“There really is a place for everyone at parkrun. You don’t need to be able to run to take part; lots of people walk the whole course every week. Anyone can volunteer at parkrun too; none of the roles require any experience, and you don’t have to help out every week. If you’d like to give parkrun a try, don’t worry about coming along on your own. We hold a First Timers’ Welcome every week for everyone who is new to the event, and there’s a good chance you’ll spot some familiar faces in the crowd too. By 10am, you’ll see why hundreds of people walk, jog, run, and volunteer with us every week!”