Amid the headlines about pubs, shops, live concerts and sport returning after the Covid restrictions – there’s another much-loved event now back on calendars.

Parkruns.

Social media was abuzz at the weekend with photos of runners, joggers, plodders and walkers all getting back to their weekly 5ks.

After much wrangling and false starts, the go ahead was given for this phenomenally successful club to start up once again. And an incredible 95,000 people were back in their running shoes as almost 500 events were held in England. More are set to follow in coming weeks, with Scotland and Wales returning in August.

Even The One Show was out to capture the return.

https://twitter.com/BBCTheOneShow/status/1419725659363061786

And, according to @parkrunUK, 6,780 people were inspired to join their first event.

Why parkrun?

So what is it about parkrun that encourages people, some who haven’t run in many years, to get involved?

Parkruns are free, weekly, community events that take place on Saturday mornings. Events are 5k (just over 3 miles) and take place in parks and open spaces. Anyone can take part from club runners to casual runners, pensioners, parents with children, owners with their dogs, wheelchair users and mums and dads pushing prams.

There’s no time limit for your run and no one finishes last.

Registration is free and there’s a great map to find your nearest event. As you can see in the picture below, you’re never far from a run venue!

Once you’re registered you can turn up at any event and take part without prior notice.

On Sunday mornings, there are 2k junior parkruns for children aged four to 14.

Many fans talk up the health and well-being benefits of taking part in this regular social activity. It’s even been hailed as the most significant public health initiative of our time.

It’s certainly a great space for some ‘me’ time, to clear your head and get some fresh air. And also enjoy the can do spirit of your fellow parkrunners.

For anyone who needs convincing to give it a go, there’s a great article here from Dr Gavin Breslin and Dr Emmylou Large.

The Guardian published this list of 10 of the very best parkruns in the UK and the world, before the pandemic-enforced lay-off of nearly 18 months.

→ Looking for inexpensive summer family fun? Read on