parkrun Ireland survey highlights powerful mental health benefits of participation
New survey results released by parkrun Ireland on World Mental Health Day reveals the profound impact that regular participation at parkrun has on mental health and overall wellbeing.
According to the parkrun Ireland Health and Wellbeing Survey 2025, conducted in collaboration with the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC) at Sheffield Hallam University, an overwhelming majority of participants reported positive effects on their mental wellbeing, including improvements in mood, stress levels, and social connection.
According to the survey:
•92% reported an improved sense of personal achievement
•87% reported increased happiness
•85% reported improved mental wellbeing
•71% reported improved confidence
"Participating at parkrun has proven to be great for your overall mental wellbeing" said Jenny Branigan, Territory Manager for parkrun Ireland. "This reinforces what we hear every week at our events - that parkrun is more than just a run, walk or volunteering; it’s a community where people find strength, connection, and support for body and mind.”
The survey also found that volunteering at parkrun brings social and wellbeing benefits. 90% reported an increased sense of community, 79% reported an enhanced sense of achievement, and 73% reported a general improvement in mental wellbeing.
To add to this, volunteering in addition to running/walking found a profound increase in social connectivity and community feeling. People who do both reported higher levels of feeling part of a community (89.7%, compared to those who run/walk only at 66.9%) and the amount of new people they meet (86.9% compared to those who run/walk only at 50.4%).
For those living with mental health conditions, 88.6% reported improved wellbeing, while 71.7% reported improved confidence after participating at parkrun.
Dr. Charlotte Benkowitz from the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC) at Sheffield Hallam University added; “This latest version of the survey highlights the important role parkrun plays in enhancing the quality of life of participants. Whether running, walking, or volunteering, parkrunners report improvements on their health and wellbeing, including mental wellbeing, happiness and sense of achievement. The findings reinforce parkrun's role as a public health initiative promoting wellbeing through community participation.”
According to Dale Kirwan from New Ross parkrun in Co. Wexford, parkrun has played a huge role in giving him a sense of purpose, and supports his social interaction with others in his community on a weekly basis.
“My self-confidence has greatly improved through running, and even more so through volunteering at parkrun. I’m a run director, so I know well that it can be a daunting challenge to stand up and address a crowd at an event. I look forward to doing it now”.
Dale believes parkrun events can help reduce the stigma of mental health as they “support interaction and inclusion within the community”, and create a feeling of being part of something special.