Walsall MP backs the power of ‘parkwalk’ on National Walking Day

The MP joined Stephanie Peacock the Minister for Sport, Media, Civil Society and Youth and fellow MPs for a special ‘parkwalk’ in Westminster to mark National Walking Day ahead of parkrun and Vitality’s national ‘Let’s Walk’ Day on Saturday, 26 April.

Vaz who attends her local parkrun at Walsall Arboretum was also joined by parkrun founder Paul Sinton-Hewitt alongside staff and volunteers from the charity and Vitality, parkrun’s headline partner.

The MPs took part in a walk at St. James Park in Westminster as part of several activities across April to celebrate ‘parkwalk’ at parkrun and highlight the health and wellbeing benefits of walking, including its power to build social connections. Recent research conducted by Vitality revealed that over three-quarters of Britons admitted to having experienced loneliness with nearly half saying they get out less than they used to and 42 per cent admitting that their exercise levels had dropped as a result.

The average time taken to complete parkrun has increased in recent years indicating a growth in the number of people who walk the free weekly 5K event which takes place in over 900 locations across the UK and in 23 countries across the world. The charity is focused on supporting those who are least active and over 45,0000 people who registered for parkrun last year identified themselves as ‘completely inactive’.

Vitality ‘parkwalk’ Ambassadors including former England cricket captain Heather Knight GB Paralympic legend Ellie Simmonds and former Olympic athlete Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill will be walking at their local parkrun events in the coming weeks ahead of ‘Let’s Walk’ Day when parkrun and Vitality are hoping to see a record number of people walking at parkrun.

The MP who was elected to Parliament in 2010 and is a member of the All Party Parliamentary parkrun Group (APPG), said: “I’m more of a walker than a runner so it’s important that people know they can walk at parkrun. The great thing about parkrun is that it’s not about being competitive, it’s a way for people to meet, talk, be social and get exercise in the outdoors – we are lucky in Walsall to have the arboretum as the setting for our parkrun. Having it every Saturday at the same time is a really good idea because it becomes a habit. I’d encourage people to go down to their local parkrun on April 26 and give walking at parkrun a try.”

Paul Sinton-Hewitt, Founder, parkrun added: “Participating in parkrun, whether that be walking, running, volunteering or even just coming down to your local park to be outdoors with others, is a great way for people to start to make improvements to their physical and mental health. It’s never been more important in helping the government create a more active, healthy and socially connected nation. I’d encourage people to give walking a try at their local parkrun, especially if they are going for the first time.”

Nick Read, Managing Director of the Vitality Programme, added: "We are delighted to be working with parkrun to support more people to walk at their local parkrun. As one of parkrun’s inaugural partners, we’ve been with them from the very start, with a huge amount of people now turning up to run, jog or volunteer at their local 5k every week. Doing more to raise awareness of the benefits of an active life and encouraging more walkers to come down and walk their local 5k, is a natural next step for this partnership.

“We hope that many more people will join us and walk at their parkrun, benefiting from the mental and physical boost that comes from a simple walk and talk in the park.”

Vitality and parkrun’s ‘Let’s Walk’ Day takes place on Saturday, 26 April. To find your nearest event visit parkrun.org.uk/parkwalk.