How I went about finding new friends.

parkrun without a doubt for me is and was the best way I have made friends. Previously school, work and sporting clubs had been my source of the majority of my friends but they all seem to come with added problems and draw backs.

I first heard of parkrun in our free local community paper about 9 years ago. At the time it just sounded perfect for me. Free, local timed 5 kilometre run every Saturday at 7 am. Work, family, social and sporting commitments were using all my time. Being able to combine two of these was great for me.

parkrun's low key, no commitment, just show up when you can or want, run as fast or slow as you want, walk or volunteer as a organiser just takes all the pressure off.

I found that so many like-minded people where showing up every week too. People who just wanted to maintain a bit of fitness, find a bit of a social connection and motivation without a massive commitment of time or money were my kind of people.

Friendships were built rain, hail or shine, week after week.

Connections seem to build and build. Most parkruns seem to have other social group organised around them. I have done a lot of travel and even non-running events and outings with friends I have met at parkrun. For example, a group of us travelled to Washington DC and ran the New York Marathon.

Photo number 1 at the top of this post would have to be my best proof of a long lasting friendship from parkrun. It was taken at Zillmere parkrun back in 2019. I was there with other friends but just behind me to the right is @consciouscat before we actually met. It was after finishing the Zillmere parkrun she and I organised a group of the participants to go find some coffee.

Phone numbers were swapped and the rest is history. It was not long before we were together and we basically have not missed a parkrun together since.

I hope everyone had a good weekend and that you check out a parkrun near you!