With its beautiful golden beach and the Great Barrier Reef below its surrounding
blue waters, Hamilton Island parkrun in Australia comes first on the top 10, drawn up
by author Lucy Waterlow for The Ultimate Guide to parkrun.
The second largest intact example of a fully walled Renaissance city in Europe, Mura
di Lucca parkrun, Italy, is second followed by the jaw-dropping scenery of Big Bay
parkrun in South Africa. The picturesque Lake2Lake Trail parkrun, New Zealand
comes fourth.
Fifth is the Inis Meáin parkrun, in one of the Aran Islands off Ireland’s west coast. It
has a beautiful rugged landscape and vast views across the Atlantic ocean.
Since its launch in Bushy Park, London, on 2nd October 2004, parkrun – a weekly
free 5km run in parkland or other open space on a Saturday morning – has become a
global phenomenon. It is now in 2,000 locations across 22 countries of the world.
The full list has been released as parkrun (always with a lowercase p) celebrates its
20th anniversary on 2nd October 2024:
- Hamilton Island parkrun, Australia
- Mura di Lucca parkrun AKA Walls of Lucca parkrun, Italy
- Big Bay parkrun, South Africa
- Lake2Lake Trail parkrun, New Zealand
- Inis Meáin parkrun, Ireland
- Kashiwanoha parkrun, Japan
- Pokkinen parkrun, Finland
- Cape Pembroke Lighthouse parkrun, Falklands
- Malbork Castle, Poland
- Canyon Rim Trail parkrun, USA
The perfect seasonal gift for parkrun fans and wannabe parkrunners, The Ultimate
Guide to parkrun: Everything You Need to Know About the Friendliest 5k in the World
delves into the event’s heart-warming world, sharing inspiring stories of those who
take part, as well as listing top runs in the UK and globally and 5k training plans.
Lucy Waterlow said: ‘Despite the name, parkruns aren’t just held in parks and this list
reveals how you can visit some awe-inspiring places while taking part. From beaches
in paradise to winter wonderlands, parkruns around the world offer the opportunity
to run, walk or volunteer surrounded by some spectacular scenery and wildlife.
parkrun tourism is popular within the parkrun community so hopefully this list will
provide some travel inspiration.’
Here’s an extract from Ten of the Best Global parkruns for Tourists’ Bucket Lists, with permission from the publishers and with credit to The Ultimate Guide to parkrun by Lucy Waterlow (Canbury Press, £20)
- Hamilton Island parkrun, Australia: This idyllic island in the Whitsundays is a dream destination for many. It is famed for its crystal blue seas, soft, white sandy beaches and the Great Barrier Reef below its surrounding waters. parkrun started here in 2015 but as it is a private island, attendance is often low at 33 participants, with four volunteers on average. Those joining in are treated to a route with unbeatable views as they run past ‘Shady Creek’ lawn and the ‘Scenic Trail’ entrance onto the palm-tree lined Catseye Beach, overlooking the sparkling turquoise waters of Catseye Bay. The run starts at 7am as the sun rises over the lush green surrounding hills. Finishing times vary depending on whether there is a high or low tide on the 2k beach section. The average finish time is 31.30 so don’t visit for a PB but to soak up the location of this parkrun in paradise.
- Mura di Lucca parkrun AKA Walls of Lucca parkrun, Italy: Running on walls surrounding the ancient city is this parkrun’s quirky feature. These walls are the second largest intact example of a fully walled Renaissance city in Europe (the current ones replace Medieval and Roman versions). While the walls date back centuries, parkrun has been here since 2018 and is one big loop meaning parkrunners get to glimpse most of Lucca’s sights on their way round, as well the vibrant green Tuscan hills beyond. The average finishing time is 31:55 with an average of 61 runners and eight volunteers.
- Big Bay parkrun, South Africa: Another parkrun with jaw-dropping scenery, the local area is called Eden on the Bay. On the out-and-back route along a sandy beach, parkrunners see Robben Island and enjoy spectacular views of Table Mountain. Breaching whales and leaping seals are common sights off the coast. The parkrun here started in 2013 with 46 participants but now attracts 328 a week. The average finishing time is 41:16, due to the soft sand, and perhaps because people are taking their time to finish to soak up the amazing views.
- Lake2Lake Trail parkrun, New Zealand: New Zealand abounds with picturesque
parkruns, but Lake2Lake in Te Anau on the South Island is special not just for its
spectacular lake views, but because it is one of the few parkruns in the world with a
number in its title. There’s been a parkrun here since 2022 but people have walked
and run the trails here for many years, as it is the home of the Kepler track – one of
the country’s most famous and scenic hiking routes that climbs into the mountains
of the stunning Fiordland National Park. Some take on running the whole route as
part of the Kepler Challenge ultra race. parkrunners experience a Fiordland ‘gentle
rise’ (AKA hill) as they go along the route’s gravel path before turning back into the
Te Anau bird park. Here, they might spot the endangered flightless bird, Takahe. The
undulating route means the average finishing time is 36.35 for a turnout of 32
participants and eight volunteers (on average). - Inis Meáin parkrun, Ireland: Another parkrun on a small island but this one
couldn’t be more different to the Australian option on this list. Inis Meáin parkrun is
held on the island of the same name which is one of the Aran Islands off Ireland’s
west coast. It has a beautiful rugged landscape and vast views across the Atlantic
ocean. parkrun only started on the island – which has a population of about 200
people – in 2023. The average attendance is only 27 with an average of eight
volunteers. Non-resident participants have time to catch a ferry from the mainland
in the morning, as this run begins at 11am. This is to allow islanders to attend
morning mass, as they have to share their priest with the two other Aran islands.
The undulating two-lap route is entirely on public roads lined with stone walls.
Thankfully, there is hardly any traffic. But the uphill sections slow the average
finishing time to 37:53. Participants have plenty of scenic sea views as they walk/run
and can enjoy some Irish hospitality afterwards in the community hall for a post-run
coffee. - Kashiwanoha parkrun, Japan: Many parkruns offer an oasis of nature within a
more built up area and this is the case with Kashiwanoha park in Chiba. The tranquil
green space, surrounded by buildings including those of Tokyo University, includes a
serene duck pond and a beautiful rose garden. You can track the seasons via its
abundant trees from the gold and red colours of the oaks and acers in autumn, to
the pale pink and white cherry blossoms which are in full bloom in the spring.
There’s also a tea house within the park where you can experience a traditional
Japanese tea ceremony . The parkrun route is three flat loops on concrete paths so
has plenty of PB potential, making the average finishing time 28:17. It has been
running here since 2019 with numbers steadily rising so the number of participants
is 61, with 11 volunteers on average. - Pokkinen parkrun, Finland: If you want to run in a winter wonderland, then
Pokkinen parkrun in Oulu (the capital of northern Scandinavia) is the place. It is the
most northerly parkrun in the world – with freezing temperatures and little daylight
in the winter. It starts at 9.30am which is before sunrise from late November to
January. In the summer, the route, alongside the Oulujoki River and the Gulf of
Bothnia, offers beautiful views of the water glimmering in the sun. The course is flat
but the average time of 30:19 is slowed by the snow in the cold months. There are
also a lot of bridges to cross – 14 in total – including one over a dam. About 20
people a week have attended this run close to the Arctic Circle since it started in
2021, helped by an average of five hardy volunteers. Numbers rise in the Spring and
Summer, along with the sun. - Cape Pembroke Lighthouse parkrun, Falklands: At the other end of the world is
Cape Pembroke Lighthouse, near Stanley in the Falkland Islands. It is the world’s
most southerly parkrun open to the public. There is another slightly further south in
the Falklands – Mount Pleasant parkrun – but this takes place on a military base so is
only open to authorised people. The Cape Pembroke Lighthouse route runs out and
back on a gravel path in rocky terrain towards the lighthouse that gives it its name. It
was launched in 2019 and has an average finish time of 36:47.As the route is on a
coastal path, it can be exposed to the elements with no shade on a sunny day and
gusty winds at other times but offers amazing views of the surrounding seas where
you might spot whales or penguins leaping out of the water. Participation is often on
the small side with 19 on average and four volunteers. - Malbork Castle, Poland: parkrunners run alongside the largest castle in the world
(measured by land area) at this UNESCO World Heritage site. Prepare yourself for
views of the 13th-century fortress, built by the Teutonic Order of knights, on one
side and the scenic Nogat River on the other. The course itself is partly run on
cobblestones with an average finishing time of 30.11. If the beauty and history of the
venue isn’t enough to entice you, you’ll be pleased to know it will help you complete
an alphabet challenge if that is your goal – as its Polish name is Zamek w Malborku
parkrun. The flat route was launched in 2019 and has 40 participants and nine
volunteers on average. Due to its location in the North of Poland, it can get very
snowy in winter. Brrr! - Canyon Rim Trail parkrun, USA: This parkrun in Twin Falls, Idaho, is held on the fully paved and scenic Canyon Rim Trail with stunning views of the canyon, waterfalls and Snake River. It is a popular spot for the adventurous, as well as those who enjoy trail walking and cycling. Base jumpers often leap from the Perrine Bridge, which is by the parkrun start, while kayakers love to explore Snake River which the route runs alongside. As it attracts so many outdoorsy people, parkrun started here in 2021 but participation remains low with an average of just 16 participants and five volunteers. The average time is a leisurely 43:11 perhaps because people are spotting birds of prey soaring overhead.
Lucy Waterlow is a journalist, ghostwriter, and author who has contributed to numerous titles, including The Sunday Telegraph, The Sun, Daily Mail, Runner’s World and Women’s Running. She is also a keen parkrunner, marathon finisher and a qualified British Athletics Coach in Running Fitness.
Availability: The Ultimate Guide to parkrun (ISBN: 978-1914487361) is available
in paperback and eBook formats.
