Parkrun helps us get physical

EXERCISE has been proven to be as good for people's mental health as it is for their physical wellbeing.

- BY KEITH FALKINER

So it’s great to see so many people right across Ireland getting involved in the ever popular parkrun.

Every Saturday morning parks around the country are packed with people enjoying the run. It's such a great thing to do to kick off your weekend and more and more people are signing up which is great to see.

And anew study shows that it doing wonders for their mental health and mood.

More power to them.

WE know that exercise can be good for our mental health.

It's why tens of thousands of people have signed up for runs in their local parks, as part of the popular parkrun initiative, right around the country.

New survey results released by parkrun Ireland on World Mental Health Day reveals the profound impact that regular participation at parkrun has on mental health and overall wellbeing.

According to the parkrun Ireland Health and Wellbeing Survey 2025, conducted in collaboration with the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University, an overwhelming majority of participants reported positive effects on their mental wellbeing, including improvements in mood, stress levels, and social connection.

According to the survey:

92% reported an improved sense of personal achievement