Analysis from active foot care specialists, The Feets, reveals that parkrun participation has increased by almost 200% in the past 10 years, with more than 180,000 runners taking part each week across nearly 800 locations.
The UK’s love for running is more than a trend, it’s a nationwide movement. With more than 6.5 million people in England alone regularly lacing up their trainers*, running has become one of the most accessible and popular forms of exercise and an invaluable hobby, benefitting the mind as much as it does the body. Nowhere is that passion more evident than in the unstoppable rise of the Park Run.
parkrun is a community-led initiative offering free, weekly, timed 5K runs in parks and open spaces. It’s not a race, it’s a celebration of health, inclusion, and outdoor movement. Open to runners of all abilities, Park Run events are entirely volunteer-led and have become a beloved fixture in towns and cities across the nation.
Over the past decade, parkrun participation has exploded*. In July 2015, 336 events were held nationwide, welcoming just over 62,000 runners and supported by around 5,600 volunteers*.
Fast forward ten years to July 2025, and that number has soared to 788 weekly events and an astounding 182,000 participants – an increase of more than 190%. The growth in volunteers is just as impressive, rising by 243% to over 19,000 people giving their time each week to make the magic happen.
Even in just the past year, the momentum hasn’t slowed. Compared to July 2024, the number of runners is up by 3.2%, and the volunteer force has grown by 5.7%, showing how deeply embedded parkrun has become in the UK’s fitness and wellbeing culture.
While parkrun’s simplicity and inclusivity are key to its appeal, The Feets – specialists in active footcare – remind runners that proper foot health is essential to enjoying the experience to the fullest.
Logan Estop-Hall, Founder of The Feets, said: “Running is one of the purest forms of exercise, and Park Run has done something truly extraordinary by bringing it to the heart of our communities. But whether you’re chasing a PB or simply jogging with friends, your feet are the foundation of every step. Without proper active footcare, runners risk injury, discomfort, and lost momentum.
“At The Feets, we’re passionate about helping people run stronger, stay pain and injury-free, and find more joy in movement. The parkrun boom is proof of just how powerful community and consistency can be, and we’re here to keep everyone moving, one happy step at a time.
“To stay on-track with your running goals, it’s vital to know that footcare is about prevention as much as it is treatment. Proper active footcare can stop common ailments like blisters, sores, and athlete’s foot from causing bigger, more long-term issues. Due to the ways in which pain can force us to alter our movements away from proper, safe form, it can increase our vulnerability to injuries like sprains, pulls, and fractures. That’s why it’s important to treat these common ailments early, or prevent them altogether
“Maintaining foot health is crucial for runners, as it’s not just about treating problems but also about preventing them. Active foot care can prevent common issues like blisters, sores, and athlete’s foot from escalating into more serious, long-term conditions. When pain alters our natural running form, it can increase the risk of injuries such as sprains, pulls, and fractures. Therefore, early treatment and prevention of these common ailments are essential.”
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