5 reasons why churches should engage with Parkrun
/In this article, Tim shares the similarities, the differences and the inspiration that Parkrun offers to church leaders for their sermon preparation and their community engagement through connecting with their local Parkrun.
by Tim Bechervaise
My wife and I approach Parkrun very differently. Laura’s priority is conversation rather than competition. For her, an event that passes without chatting to at least someone on the 5km route is a disappointment. As for me, I don’t enjoy talking whilst running and, if there’s any frustration, it’s from not bettering a previous time or, worst of all, someone pipping me at the finish.
Laura has the healthier approach to Parkrun – as she often likes to tell me. During one Parkrun, she shouted, ‘It’s a run, Tim, not a race!’ And that’s the message at the heart of Parkrun and why it’s so wildly popular. Whilst good-natured competition has its place, the goal is simply to provide a space for people to gather and get active.
Last year, Parkrun celebrated its 20th birthday – and how far it’s come in that time. Since its first event in Bushy Park in 2004 (with just 13 runners and five volunteers), the initiative now has some 350,000 participants each Saturday morning either walking or running 5km on one of its estimated 2,500 routes in 23 countries worldwide. Junior Parkrun – which invites children aged four to 14 to tackle a shorter 2km route – is hosted at almost 500 locations worldwide. A further 25 Parkruns are hosted in prison and young offenders’ institutes.
Earlier this year, Laura and I reached our own Parkrun milestones. At the same event, I celebrated 100 runs as Laura hit 250. In true Parkrun tradition, our achievements were read out by the Run Director, prompting applause. Our cohort of local Parkrun friends joined us for the occasion, culminating in a post-event brunch.
It was an occasion that epitomised much of what people love about Parkrun. Achievements big and small are celebrated, including first timers as well as those visiting as tourists (most likely to try and meet some of the many Parkrun challenges, such as the A-Z of locations). But perhaps most importantly, especially given the rampant loneliness in society today, it brings people together.
But that’s not all. Having been involved in church leadership for over ten years, I’ve been struck by the inspiration and opportunities given by Parkrun. Here are five…
Prescribing Parkrun
Did you know that many doctors ‘socially prescribe’ to their patients? Such are the physical, mental and social benefits, Parkrun UK works with some 2,000 GPs to encourage people to attend their local event, and the charity is calling for it be rolled out across the NHS.
You may also have heard of Couch to 5k, a relaxed and fun programme for people wanting to up their exercise output. The goal is to complete a local Parkrun.
Parkrun will not be for everyone and it does not offer a cure for every problem. But for those in our churches who are lonely, struggling with their mental health, needing to do more physical exercise, or new to the area – whatever it might be, the weekly initiative could be a simple but immensely powerful way to help.
And for those unable to exercise, or immune to the idea of it, Parkrun is nothing without its faithful, cheery and servant-hearted volunteers. Timekeeping or barcode scanning, marshalling or funnel manager, token sorting or tail walking – there’s a plethora of roles, and with it, a delightful sense of joy, purpose and comradery that some in our congregations might be yearning for.
Sometimes the solution people need is not spiritual but practical. And who knows where involvement might lead – a couple of years ago, a lady who felt she couldn’t run because she is visually impaired married the man who became her guide at Parkrun.
2. Sermon inspiration
If you’re needing to replenish your box of sermon illustrations, Parkrun might well be your friend.
Some years ago at Lydiard Park, formerly my local Parkrun, I was approaching the finish line when the strides of a fellow runner grew louder in my ear. I was being overtaken. I hastened my pace to maintain my lead, but that made him go faster. He pipped me to the finish and, quietly, I was more than a bit miffed. (Had I mentioned that I am competitive?) As the mild rage subsided, a thought emerged: I helped him go faster. Just as he pushed me, so I pushed him. And there we have the proverbial call to sharpen one another (Proverbs 27:17).
I’ve also never shaken the adage (aided by my wife’s heckling) that it’s a run not a race – and not just with Parkrun. In the Bible, the writer of Hebrews urges readers to run the race set before us (Hebrews 12:1), whilst the apostle Paul, nearing death, says that he’s run the race (2 Timothy 4:7). Clearly, following Jesus must look something more like a race than a run, but my life often doesn’t reflect that. You could say it’s more like a leisurely run – the very thing Parkrun sets out to be. It’s a challenging thought for me, and one that we might yet find a place in a sermon.
Whether it’s an illustration from running, an anecdote from a conversation with another participant, or musings on the beautiful surroundings of a local Parkrun, there is much to inspire a sermon or two.
3. Setting the right pace
Speaking of illustrations, let’s talk about pacers. Parkruns will occasionally have pacers, usually from a local running club, who will help people reach different times. They will tend to range from 20 to 40 minutes and are a great way to achieve a personal best (PB).
Having followed more than a few pacers, I’m struck by how their role offers some helpful leadership guidance. Whether leading a business, team or church, or something else, pacing is crucial. You need to know the abilities and ceilings of your team, and move forward at a pace that enables and empowers them to flourish, even if it sometimes hurts, whilst not going so fast you leave people behind. As with running, there will be times to slower the pace, and times to quicken it — and knowing how and when is a skill.
And as I have observed from the pacers at Parkrun, encouragement is crucial. I can recall one Parkrun where I managed to finish just ahead of the pacer I was following. He found me afterwards and gave me a pat on the back. It was a small but not insignificant gesture.
4. A welcoming culture
Indeed, encouragement is embedded in Parkrun, helping form part of the infectiously welcoming culture that’s been crucial to its exponential growth over the past 20 years. Each session begins with a celebration of milestones – be that a first-ever Parkrun, a 50th or 250th run, or 100th volunteering. The names are read out and people clap.
Each event also has a tail walker, which means that no participant will ever finish ‘last’. Especially for beginners, this removes the fear of coming last, whilst reinforcing the message that, whether you run or walk, or a mixture of the two, and whatever your pace, all are welcome. And throughout each course, marshals not only point the way, but they also yell out plenty of encouragement.
A few weeks ago, I was volunteering on barcode scanning and what looked like a family finished together just ahead of the tail walker. I noticed one of the party fist-bumping everyone, but they seemed unable to speak. He came to me and showed me a wristband that said, “I’m fighting Motor Neuron’s Disease”. He looked utterly thrilled. It was a lovely reminder of Parkrun’s all-embracing ethos.
How well do our churches welcome people? Is or warm or cold? Getting this right is crucial to whether someone returns the following week. I’m struck by how often people say they started going to a church not because of a spellbinding sermon or the delicious coffee, but because of the welcome – someone made time to speak to them, or showed them to a seat, or didn’t judge them for their appearance, history or theology. It left an indelible mark – one that made them feel seen.
5. Outreach opportunities
Some time ago, a church did a ‘volunteer takeover’ of one of my local Parkruns, covering the majority of volunteer slots so those normally involved got a well-earned break. It was a wonderful way to serve the local community, whilst highlighting the church’s presence in the area.
Is it something your church could do, too? Parkrun actively encourages collaboration with community groups. Some churches will be more equipped than others to help, but given the rising popularity of Parkrun and the exciting murmurings of a quiet revival, with church attendance growing, it could present some precious opportunities to introduce people to Jesus.
Even if your church is unable to serve in this way, simply volunteering at a nearby event brings its own opportunities to cultivate conversations and connections – particularly if you happen to be the local vicar!
About the author
Tim Bechervaise lives in Hatfield with his wife, Laura. He is a copywriter for Open Doors UK & Ireland, and freelance writer. Coffee, street photography, Tottenham Hotspur and, of course, running count among his other interests