AQL, a technology company, has entered into a digital partnership with Parkrun and the NHS to promote physical activity across the UK. The collaboration aims to leverage data and digital tools to increase participation in Parkrun events, which are free, weekly, timed 5k runs held in parks worldwide.
How the partnership works
The partnership will see AQL providing digital infrastructure and analytics to help Parkrun and the NHS understand participation patterns and identify barriers to attendance. By analyzing data from Parkrun events, the initiative seeks to develop targeted interventions to encourage more people to take part, particularly those from under-represented groups.
According to the NHS, physical inactivity is linked to one in six deaths in the UK, and the partnership aligns with the NHS Long Term Plan to prevent illness and promote wellbeing. The collaboration will also explore how Parkrun can be integrated into social prescribing, where healthcare professionals refer patients to non-clinical activities to improve health.
Impact on communities
Parkrun has over 2,000 events globally, with more than 600 in the UK. The partnership aims to increase the number of participants, especially among those with long-term health conditions or from deprived areas. Research shows that regular physical activity reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers.
“This partnership is a fantastic opportunity to use data to make it easier for people to get active,” said a spokesperson for AQL. “By working with Parkrun and the NHS, we can help create a healthier nation.”
The initiative will also focus on making Parkrun more accessible by providing digital resources for event organizers and participants, including a new app feature that suggests local runs and tracks progress.
