Encouraging people to attend parkrun this summer

Former jockey Nina Carberry, Olympian David Gillick and Exercise Physiologist Dr Brian Carson launched Vhi’s More Than Running campaign in Newbridge House and Gardens, Donabate, Co Dublin.

More Than Running highlights the various health benefits that participating in parkrun can bring to all its participants. parkrun in partnership with Vhi is the biggest community-led physical activity movement in Ireland and is open to everyone no matter your age, ability or background. Anyone can come along and take part as a walker, jogger, runner and also as a volunteer.

With events in every county in Ireland, parkrun, in partnership with Vhi, takes place each Saturday morning at 9.30am in more than 100 locations across the country and is free to take part in. In Ireland, more than 8,000 people take part every weekend, as walkers, joggers, runners and volunteers. Participants only need to register once on the parkrun website (parkrun.ie), bring their personal barcode which records their activity, and then turn up at any event.

Less than half of Irish adults reach the recommended guidelines for physical activity (54% of males and just 38% of females). This decreases even further as we age to as low as 33% over the age of 65 and just 20% after 75.

Dr Brian Carson, University of Limerick lecturer and Exercise Physiologist, says even minor changes to your routine can have a positive effect on your health, and encourages people who haven’t previously experienced a parkrun to take that first step this summer.

“Many people are understandably overwhelmed when it comes to taking steps to improve their health and fitness. The key is to take it step by step, and parkrun is an excellent way to do this in a friendly, positive community setting. Even a small increase of one additional hour per week in the amount of exercise you do has a protective effect on your heart and vascular health, so walking or running 5km at a reasonable pace at your local parkrun on a Saturday morning can provide you with these benefits.”

Dr Carson suggests that no matter your current fitness level even a small increase in the amount of physical activity you do can have multiple health benefits, with studies and scientific research offering the following reasons to get active:

Exercise has been proven to be beneficial in the treatment of 26 chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes as well as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

By limiting the time you spend sedentary (i.e. not moving) and replacing it with sufficient physical activity of any intensity, you can almost halve your likelihood of encountering cardiovascular disease and lowers the risk of stroke by over a quarter.

In a recent study of over 60,000 parkrun participants, new participants who were previously inactive reported improvements to fitness, physical health, happiness and mental health.

Vhi, as presenting partner of parkrun are delighted that this summer, they will be visiting parkruns in Dublin, Limerick and Cork. The More Than Running ambassadors Nina Carberry and David Gillick will be in attendance so it promises to be a fun-filled morning and they are looking forward to meeting all the parkrunners in the various locations.

Brighid Smyth, Head of Corporate Communications in Vhi said: “Here at Vhi we love that there is a place for everyone at parkrun, whether you want to walk, jog, run or volunteer. Vhi is committed to helping our customers and communities live longer, stronger, healthier lives and our partnership with parkrun helps us deliver this. Therefore we’re delighted to launch the ‘More Than Running’ campaign today with our fantastic ambassadors Nina Carberry, David Gillick and Dr Brian Carson, which outlines the potential health benefits that parkrun participation can offer.”

Nina Carberry commented: “I’m proud to be an ambassador for Vhi’s More Than Running campaign. I know as well as anyone that work and family commitments mean it can be really difficult to maintain an exercise routine. Having a parkrun to aim for on a Saturday morning, no matter how you plan to participate, means that you’re not only reaping the social benefits of such a communal event, but you’re also having a positive impact on your health.”