Design Without
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28/10/18
Parkrun’s not a product, piece of architecture or other tangible object, but the concept was still created and developed like any other design process, and the outcome, in my opinion is an example of great design. If great design is accessible, easy to understand and makes people feel good then parkrun ticks all the boxes. And its rapid growth proves its huge popularity.
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I have been a ‘parkrunner’ for a while now, but only yesterday as I was running around Ruchill parkrun in the freezing cold, a tail walker in full giraffe costume not too far in the distance, did it occur to me that it might deserve a place in my great design blog. Parkrun organise free, weekly, 5km timed runs around the world. They are open to everyone, free and are safe and easy to take part in. The first parkrun took place in Bushy park with 13 runners in 2004. There are now 5 million participants registered, across 20 countries. Each Saturday morning, enthusiasts flock to their local park to run and catch up with friends. It is entirely volunteer run, and depends on a team of volunteer marshals, time keepers, barcode scanners and a tail walker each week. Participants are of a wide range of abilities – from athletes who make it round in 15 minutes, to those who walk the whole way, and sometimes the odd parent with a buggy hurtling round at a surprising speed. It has had the stamp of approval from the Royal College of GPs, who have encouraged doctors to prescribe Parkrun for overweight patients and those with some health conditions as an alternative to medication. Already 400 GP surgeries have signed up to become certified Parkrun practices. |
Aside from the physical effects of regular exercise on the body, it is clear that one of the reasons parkrun has such a positive impact is its sense of community. For many it’s as much (or more) about the social aspect than the running. Marshals and spectators offer shouts of support as you make your way round the course, and you are clapped down the final straight by fellow runners who just finished. At the end, you catch your breath, cheer on runners and talk to your neighbours and fellow runners, people with whom you might otherwise have merely exchanged glances as you passed on the pavement. Afterwards participants and volunteers gather in local cafes to socialise and upload the latest results. People really do get into the spirit of it, with special occasion runs and pacer weeks, and there’s often a photographer capturing the moment. Yesterday, the run was Halloween themed – hence some running skeletons, fairies and the giraffe tail walker, as well as treats at the finish. Last week my 5k was ran to the sound of bagpipes and finished with copious amounts of cake, chocolates and tea as Victoria parkrun was celebrating its 5th birthday. Of course, some people get slightly obsessive. It’s guaranteed there’ll be a good crowd of 50, 100 and even 250 parkrun tops, and parkrun tourism has taken off. It’s no longer about doing your local parkrun each week, but venturing further afield, trying new places – even when on holiday. I have even taken the 9am ferry for the most northerly parkrun on Bressay, Shetland. |
While a slightly unusual blog post, I think parkrun is an example of great design because it brings people together, encourages a healthy lifestyle, and is free! Parkrun is a welcome and inviting change from sport which is usually reduced to being about winners and losers. It’s a non-elitist, unifying thing. |
Sources:
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/the-running-blog/2018/apr/25/parkrun-makes-us-fitter-but-can-it-make-us-happier-as-well
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2018/oct/01/parkrun-five-mlllion-runners
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/the-running-blog/2018/apr/25/parkrun-makes-us-fitter-but-can-it-make-us-happier-as-well
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2018/oct/01/parkrun-five-mlllion-runners