Andre Gilburn
Abstract: parkrun is a weekly mass participation. Finishes are recorded with the resulting database potentially containing important public health information. The aim was to identify characteristics of events that overcome barriers to participation and identify changing patterns in the demographics of participants. GLMMs were generated of age-graded performance, gender ratio and age of participants at Scottish parkrun events. Predictor variables included age, gender, participant, runs, date, elevation gain, surface and travelling time to the next nearest venue. There was a decline in the mean performance of participants at events, yet individual performances improved. The gender ratio shows higher male participation with a narrowing gender gap. Events in the most remote parts of Scotland had lower performance and a higher proportion of female participants. Events on slower surfaces had more female participants. parkrun events are becoming more inclusive with more females and participants exhibiting low performance. In remoter parts of Scotland more females participate in parkrun than males suggesting parkrun has overcome traditional barriers to female participation in sport. Prioritising the creation of events at remote locations and on slower surfaces could increase inclusivity further. General practitioners prescribing parkrun might want to prescribe attendance at slower events for female patients.