I had the pleasure of volunteering as a photographer at my local Parkrun in Princes Park, and it was a genuinely wonderful experience.
For those unfamiliar, Parkrun events are entirely free, weekly 5k runs held in parks and green spaces across the country, run from start to finish by volunteers. There are no paid staff, no corporate machinery behind the scenes. Just people giving up their Saturday morning so that others can enjoy a run.
And what a run it is. The atmosphere at Princes Park was something special. Familiar faces greeted each other across the starting line, regulars cheered on newcomers, and the whole thing had the warm, easy energy of a community that has been showing up for each other, week after week. It genuinely feels like one big family, united by a simple shared goal: to stay fit, stay active, and enjoy being part of something bigger than themselves.
If you have never tried Parkrun, whether as a runner, walker, or volunteer, I cannot recommend it enough. Find your local event at parkrun.org.uk and come along this Saturday.
