How parkrun changed our lives

by Eileen Jones

'Everyone's parkrun journey is different and yet we share so many experiences. Eileen covers these and many more shared pleasures. I know you are going to enjoy this book as much as I have.'
Paul Sinton-Hewitt (Founder of parkrun)

Millions of people around the world each week take part in the free 5k parkruns, held in city parks, seaside proms and country areas.

In this fascinating new book, Eileen Jones joins parkruns around the UK, finding the individual runners' stories behind what has been hailed as the most significant public health initiative of our time. She talks to those whose lives have been changed by parkrun.

parkrun has rapidly become a social movement for the common good and even, Eileen suggests, a new religion. Eileen's book looks as well at the academic studies which demonstrate that simply being at a parkrun is beneficial for health and wellbeing.

The idea which Paul Sinton-Hewitt first came up with for a run in a west London park gets its deserved and timely celebration in Eileen's wonderful book.

Genres: Nonfiction

200 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2021

Reviews

[Paula Hartharn-Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

What else am I going to give but but 5⭐

[Carlo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this is a little treat. If you're interested in the bigger picture about parkrun (like me), how it started, what's happening around the UK and how parkrun has helped people then this is a great read. The book talks about parkrun practices: the author talks to GP's encouraging patients to do parkrun to improve conditions like high blood pressure, depression and diabetes. There's a chapter on volunteering, as Paul Sinton Hewitt says, "volunteering, far from being a necessary evil was a wonderful participation in its own right..." The author talks us through her own experience of starting a parkrun up and creating an event team, sharing her own experience at Fell Foot. There are sections on parkrun tourism, parkrun stats, parkrun cake and more and all the way through its peppered with personal stories from ordinary (and extraordinary) parkrunners. It's very current and talks through how we responded during the pandemic. Anyone even mildly obsessive about parkrun or just a bit curious to learn more about our free, weekly 5K will find this book a joy.

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

i read this quickly this week bc a parkrun friend gave it to me months ago and he told me the author is coming to our parkrun next week. thought i’d better read it before she came. it wasn’t very good so i will probably avoid her tbh

[Queen Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel quite harsh rating this book 2/5 as I enjoyed most of it and read it relatively quickly (which is ususlly sign I like a book). But there are a few things that didn't feel right about this book:
1. Who is the audience? Anyone who is a parkrunner already knows all about it. Anyone who is not, is not going to read a 221 page book about it.
2. It had a self published feel to it with some typos. I'm sure there are typos in this review to be fair.
3. It repeatedly mentioned the same parkruns e.g. Woodhouse Moor, Wimbledon Common, Fell Foot (which also used to feature heavily on Free Weekly Timed podcast). I would have liked to hear more about lots of different parkruns.
4. It is quite dated now. For example, tshirts are no longer free and barcodes are accepted on phones. There is a heavy focus on covid 19 which is a distant memory now. Also, a focus on parkrun tourism that is somewhat frowned upon nowadays due to the impact on the environment. It feels like an updated version is needed.
5. It's a bit too heavy on the church and Christianity references for me as an atheist.

Despite an easy read, I can't think of anyone I would recommend this book to. Even the people I know who are regular parkrunners. Harsh, I know.

[Amie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a brilliant book about one of my fave things 💚 puts into words the real impact parkrun has on communities as well as individuals and highlights the bigger picture behind such a simple idea. Everyone should do at least one parkrun in their lives and also read this book!!!!!!

[Tim Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

An uplifting and thoughtful book that looks at the parkrun phenomenon and was almost as joyful to read as parkrun is to be at!

[Louise Burgess Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable book about one of my favourable. Conveys the spirit and community of parkrun in a chatty tone. Written by a journalist who is a passionate parkrunner from Fell Foot parkrun in the Lake District. The author has gathered the perspectives of many participants on a variety of topics including discovering parkrun, health benefits, volunteering, tourism, covid 19, weddings and cake. Much research went into writing How parkrun changed our lives. The linkage to religion was my only objection as I thought it was contrived.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love parkrun but knew nothing about it! Loved this

[Edward Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb; brings to life the stories, people, and the why of parkrun. Do read, and then maybe go along to your next local parkrun (soon)

[Lydia Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good to read as I come up to my 100th Parkrun and 20th different course. Enjoyed it, especially the Roundshaw Downs and Chilten church runners mention!

[Linda Mellor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational!

[Ricardo Motti · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wanted to love this, since I love parkrun. But it needed some serious editing. As it is, it's just a long string of quote after quote from people who also love parkrun.