Parkruns in Dorset

Find your nearest parkrun

People running

Each Saturday in a park near you, there's a warm and friendly group of local faces, on a community mission to maintain their health.

Parkrun was started in a London Park by a local GP who wanted to improve the health and wellbeing of his neighbourhood. Fast-forward 19 years and it is responsible for transforming the health of thousands of people.

Taking steps to healthy living can be daunting. And the first few times may be difficult. But the encouragement, cheers, praise and support you receive from your local parkrun community can help you overcome any fear that you may feel.

You don't have to run!

All abilities are welcome to walk, jog, run or even sprint - your pace, your choice. These are you first steps to better health and good, healthy habits. Parkruns are a perfect way to add regular activity to your lifestyle and you won't ever be alone. Also, you don't need all the pro kit, comfortable trainers and clothes are enough.

If you're not a runner it's best to work yourself up to it over time. You can start by walking the course, then, when you’re ready, you can pick up the pace and add little sections of jogging. Before you know it, you’ll feel ready to go the whole way.

Parkrun has a fantastic rule: No one comes last. Every parkrun has a tail walker who stays right at the back, ensures everyone is accounted for and is always the last to complete the course.

Do I need to register?

Parkrun is free and you only need to register once, regardless of how many different parkruns you want to walk, jog, run or volunteer at. Registering helps you keep track of your parkrun journey. Click to register for Parkrun.

Where's my nearest parkrun?

In Dorset, we’re lucky to have so many parkruns to choose from. Happening every Saturday at 9am, communities come together for a free, fun, and friendly 5k event. To see the full map of all parkruns in Dorset, visit the parkrun website.

Blandford
This course is run on a mixture or tarmac paths and hard-packed paths. And takes place at Jubilee Way, Blandford. Find out more about Blandford parkrun.

Bournemouth
The Bournemouth parkrun takes place at Kings Park Athletic Stadium, Kings Park Drive. The course is run on a mixture of tarmac paths, grass and off-road paths. See more information on the parkrun website.

Moors Valley Country Park and Forest
The course at Moors Valley Country Park and Forest, runs on a mixture of tarmac paths, loose stone paths and trail paths. Discover more about the course and how to get there.

St Mary's
The parkrun course at Bridport FC, St. Mary's Field, is run on a mixture of concrete paths and grass. Find out more about this parkrun course.

Poole Park
The Poole parkrun course has a mixture of tar and compacted gravel and starts near the cricket pavilion. Visit the parkrun website for more details.

Upton House
The course at Upton Country Park, Poole, is run entirely on trail paths. Find out more about this parkrun event.

Weymouth
Weymouth parkrun takes place at Lodmoor Country Park, Weymouth. The course is run on a mixture of tar paths and gravel paths. Discover more information about this parkrun.

Two young boys running.

Junior parkruns

We're also lucky to have 'only for juniors' parkruns too. These are a fantastic way to get them enjoying being active, which can easily become a regular routine. The free, fun, and friendly 2k parkrun events held every Sunday are for juniors aged 4–14-year-olds.

Listed below are some of the top junior parkruns in Dorset, but you can find the full list of all junior parkruns in Dorset on the parkrun website.

Lodmoor Country Park, Weymouth
Every Sunday at 9am, juniors get together for Weymouth parkrun. Discover more about the event.

Upton House, Poole
At Upton Country Park every Sunday, juniors can get moving more. See more details about the event.

The Great Field, Dorchester
Every Sunday at 9am in Dorchester. Find out more about this junior parkrun.

Slades Park, Bournemouth
The event takes places at Slades Park, Ensbury Avenue. See parkrun website for more details.

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How does this work?

The tailored approach LiveWell Dorset uses to come up with solutions to the things that are stopping us achieving our goals, is based upon work done by University College London developing the COM-B model of behaviour change. In this model, all behaviour is influenced by understanding a person’s capability to change, their opportunity to change and their motivation to change. By understanding which of these is the biggest barrier to change, we can tailor support accordingly. This model of behaviour change is at the centre of the support we offer, online and in person.

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