Doctors to prescribe parkrun to patients

A new initiative to encourage patients to take part in local parkrun events has been launched in collaboration with the Royal College of GPs.  Parkrun is held every Saturday morning across this country and in towns and cities around the world.  Run entirely by volunteers, this hugely popular 5km event is completely free and open to everyone regardless of fitness levels or abilities.  Often whole families take part (although there is a junior parkrun for those aged 4-14) with Mums, Dads, Grandparents, kids and even pet dogs on leads!  

Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, chairwoman of the Royal College of GPs said, “Small, often simple lifestyle changes can have a really positive impact on our health and wellbeing, so anything that encourages patients to live better and move more is a good thing.  Parkrun is a diverse, fun and free way of getting our patients up and about and empowering them to make basic lifestyle changes in the best interests of their long-term health and wellbeing.”