There are around 500 junior parkrun events across the UK, with generations of families and volunteers coming together to provide support. Reece Hibbert-Reid and Harry Andrews visited one in Wednesfield, Wolverhampton. Pics by Benjamin Henry-Cordova.

A junior parkrun in Wolverhampton has been celebrating 11 years of bringing local families together to keep fit, healthy and socially connected.

Since launching in 2015, the free weekly 2km event in Wednesfield Park has welcomed thousands of children aged four to 14 to walk, jog, run or volunteer every Sunday morning.

WELCOMING

It has become a regular part of family life, creating a welcoming environment where children can be active, build confidence, make friends and celebrate their own achievements. Alongside the young people are parents, grandparents and local people volunteering, all playing their part in making the event a positive and inclusive community experience.

Local volunteers say junior parkrun’s success is measured by far more than the number of finishers, and they are calling on more local people to sign up and enjoy the wider health and social benefits of participating each week.

Martha Cummings, the co-founder of this junior parkrun (pictured top right), explained: “The reason it was set up was to get people involved in community activities, who wouldn't normally do anything.

“We get a really good mix of people that come – there’s generations of families, as you've seen this morning.

INVOLVED

“And just by the kids wanting to be here, the parents then need to get up to bring them here, and grandparents support with that as well.

“So it really does get everybody involved, and it's a nice habit to have on a weekly basis.”

A survey in 2024 revealed junior parkrun is about far more than children's physical activity. There are around 500 junior parkrun events across the UK, and for every 100 children finishing, there are 56 adults cheering from the sidelines and another 45 adults accompanying a young parkrunner around the course. The research highlights how the event creates opportunities for families and communities to connect through being active together.

The latest junior parkrun Health and Wellbeing survey found 84% of parents and carers said junior parkrun had a positive impact on their child’s sense of achievement, while over two-thirds said it increased their child’s enjoyment of being active. More than three-quarters of children (76%) reported feeling happier after doing junior parkrun and almost all families surveyed (96%) said they planned to continue attending.

For families in Wednesfield, those findings simply confirm what they experience every Sunday morning. Ian, a grandfather, explained: “It's a good thing to do as a family. With my two boys, their daughters run with them as well. So it's like the two girls run, their dads run, and then I tag along as well."

FRIENDSHIPS

Louise Mylles, parkrun Outreach Officer in the West Midlands, said: “The success of Wednesfield junior parkrun shows the real difference that free, accessible community events can make. Every Sunday, children and their families have the opportunity to be active, enjoy the outdoors and be part of a welcoming and inclusive community.

“It’s been amazing to see families coming together, friendships forming and local volunteers playing a vital role in creating a community where everyone is encouraged to take part. We know this has lasting benefits, not just for individual children and their families, but for the wider community and across the West Midlands.”

The sense of community at the event is palpable, with volunteers young and old enjoying socialising in their local park, while simultaneously contributing to the local community. From setting up the course and welcoming newcomers as a marshal, scanning barcodes and leading warm-ups, local people make sure every child feels supported.

Young volunteer Sahana (above left) explained: “I didn't know I could volunteer at my age until later on, because I used to come here to run. Then I found out that I could lead the warm-ups, so I started doing that and volunteering. I come here early and help set up, and pack away afterwards.”

HEALTHY

Local teacher Vanessa believes it’s a valuable way of “teaching children to be competitive - without taking it too far”. She adds: “It's a bit of friendly competition, and it's a good way of making friends that you wouldn't have always been with or met, and it stops them from being sedentary and improves healthy lifestyles.”

As junior parkrun in Wednesfield celebrates its 11th anniversary, it is a chance to celebrate everyone who has played a part – from children and families, to organisers and volunteers.

junior parkrun is supporting the Sport for Change Wolverhampton campaign, backed by the University of Wolverhampton and Wolves Foundation. Co-ordinated by ConnectSport CIC, the campaign sees local students promoting the health and social benefits of community sport projects across the city. More than 50 projects are expected to join the campaign by the end of 2026.

Read more about Sport for Change Wolverhampton.

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