parkrun UK and the Royal College of General Practitioners are set to launch a ground-breaking initiative that could see thousands of patients being ‘prescribed’ outdoor physical activity rather than medication. The initiative aims to improve the health and wellbeing of health care staff, patients and carers, reducing the need for lifelong medication. 

in 2017, the 1.11 billion prescriptions dispensed in communities across the UK cost £9.17bn. GP practices will be encouraged to develop closer links with their local parkrun to become certified ‘parkrun practices’, with health care practitioners signposting patients and carers to parkrun, particularly those who are the least active and have long-term health conditions. 

GP practices will be encouraged to develop closer links with their local parkrun to become certified ‘parkrun practices’, with health care practitioners signposting patients and carers to parkrun, particularly those who are the least active and have long-term health conditions. Many practice staff across the country have already reaped the personal benefit of taking part. We know that experiencing parkrun for yourself is a great way to appreciate the benefits and share them with patients.

There are currently 535 parkruns across the UK with more events starting every week, many situated close to local GP practices. They are free, 5k events that take place every Saturday morning year-round in public areas of open space. Each event is coordinated entirely by local volunteers and they are accessible for people of all ages and abilities. There are also 220 2k junior parkruns for 4-14 year-olds and their families on Sunday mornings.