Fifers join Joe Wicks in record-breaking parkrun

Known as the ‘The Body Coach’, Wicks had teamed up with Brooks Running on a summer-long mission to get more people moving together through free parkrun events, removing the cost and pressure that are often barriers to people getting started.

On Saturday 821 participants took part in the 5k parkrun – a new record for the Fife location.

Wicks said: "Lochore Meadows was a perfect leg on the tour.

“The atmosphere on the day was just brilliant - seeing so many people show up, from younger ones at the junior parkrun to people doing their very first 5k, reminded me exactly why we're doing this. You could feel the energy.

“This is just the beginning and I cannot wait to see what the rest of the tour brings.”

The results point to something bigger than just big numbers with 83 people completing their very first parkrun, a 1,283 per cent increase on the usual figure, with a record 59 volunteers helping to make it possible.

The Lochore Meadows leg marks the fifth location on an eight-event, six-location tour running through the summer, following a smaller-scale partnership with Wicks last year which saw first-timer attendance increase by an average of 188 per cent across visited events, female participation rise by 75 per cent, and record finisher numbers at all three parkruns.

Carl Newman, Territory Director Northern Europe at Brooks Running said: "The response in Lochore Meadows last weekend was everything we hoped for and more.

“Seeing so many first-timers and families come out and be part of something like this, in such huge numbers, is exactly what this tour is about.”

Kenneth Foreman, Head of Commercial & Fundraising at parkrun UK, added: “Weekends like this one in Lochore Meadows are what parkrun is all about. The mix of people who came out across both days, runners, walkers, volunteers, families, all showing up together in their community, was a brilliant reminder of what free, accessible events can do.

“We're so proud to be part of this tour.”