From 13 runners to millions - Parkrun celebrates 20th anniversary

Parkrun celebrates its 20th anniversary this weekend after growing from a group of 13 people to a phenomenon that takes place in more than 2,500 locations.

Founder Paul Sinton-Hewitt put on the first event on Saturday 2 October 2004 at Bushy Park in southwest London as he recovered from an injury.

The number of runners for the 5k event grew each week and other locations were added.

Mr Sinton-Hewitt - who received a CBE in 2014 - shared flyers for the first event with his two running clubs, Ranelagh Harriers and The Stragglers.

"I didn't recognise everyone. Of the 13 about eight came for coffee, that was the start of the experience," he said.

He was inspired by similar events in South Africa, where he grew up, and said Parkrun helped him with his mental health struggles.

Runs in Wimbledon, Richmond, Banstead, Leeds and Brighton started between 2006 and 2007 and Zimbabwe hosted the first international event.

Parkrun is now established in 23 countries and more than 10 million people are registered

"I went from 'let's grow this running event' into something that's more strategic, around mental health, physical health and wellbeing," said Mr Sinton-Hewitt.

About 2,000 GP surgeries globally are now twinned with a Parkrun and refer patients to the events to help their physical and mental wellbeing.

Darren Wood, 42, from Carshalton in south London, has completed the most Parkruns of anyone - 913.

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A junior Parkrun began 14 years ago and events are also held in 25 prisons and young offenders' institutions.

In February, Parkrun removed speed records from its website to reduce their "off-putting" nature and dispel the perception that the runs are races.

The move came amid criticism from some for allowing transgender women to compete in the female category.

Mr Sinton-Hewitt hopes anniversary events this weekend will be smaller than the 1,000th Bushy Park event in August when more than 6,000 people showed up.

He said Parkrun should be "at a reasonable level where you can identify other people in the community, you can identify people like you".

"A 100 marathon runner doesn't need Parkrun any more but she will still go to see her friends," Mr Sinton-Hewitt added.

"We love everybody, the fast, the slow."

(c) Sky News 2024: From 13 runners to millions - Parkrun celebrates 20th anniversary