AN impressive 400 took part in the Harlow parkrun on Saturday morning. Runners from Aberdeen to Plymouth made their way around the two-and-a-half laps around the picturesque park.

We believe this is the fifth time that 400 and over have taken part in the 5k run around the town park.

The last time was when Harlow parkrun celebrated the 500th running of what has become a firm fixture in the Harlow sporting week.

For the record, the lowest number of runners was 55 on January 1st, 2015.

One of the reasons there may be more participants is that people are realising that you do this 5k challenge under your own stem. You can walk, walk/run, jog, run, wheel. You set your own goals and ambitions.

A recent study from our editor’s former university (where he spent four happy years in the eighties running up hills and around the loch) has suggested that “the launch of parkwalkers is shown to have increased the proportion of new female participants and reversed a decline in the average age of new attendees”.

https://www.stir.ac.uk/news/2026/january-2026-news/participation-in-parkrun-surging-thanks-to-parkwalkers-new-stirling-research-shows

Congratulations to Woodford Green and Essex Ladies runner Evan Johnson for being first finisher on Saturday.

It is always a pleasure to see “running tourists” visit Harlow parkrun. This Saturday runners from: Enfield Chasers, London Heathside, St Helen’s Runners, Metro Aberdeen Running Club, Hove Hornets, Watford Joggers, Redway Runners, Plymouth Musketeers all took part.

For more details of Harlow parkrun, click below.

https://www.parkrun.org.uk/harlow