Dewsbury to host ‘parkrun for the NHS’ events in Crow Nest Park this weekend to mark the 75th anniversary of the National Health Service

Connect Health, which runs an integrated musculoskeletal and pain service in North Kirklees, will be getting involved in the event at Crow Nest Park in celebration of 75 years of the NHS.

Taking place on Saturday, July 8 (parkrun) and Sunday, July 9 (junior parkrun for four to 14-year-olds), similar “parkrun for the NHS” events will happen up and down the country to mark the NHS’ anniversary.

Mike Carpenter, musculoskeletal national lead for Connect Health, described the NHS 75 parkrun as “a great opportunity for people to take steps towards improved health and well-being by walking, jogging, running, volunteering or coming along and clapping on the sidelines”.

He said: “Parkrun is all about participation and getting moving - whatever your level of fitness. Many people will be walking the course, so you definitely don’t need to be able to run.

"It’s all about togetherness, being more active and celebrating 75 years of our NHS.

“From countless studies and our own work in the local community, we know the positive impact that even very gentle movement can have on physical and mental health.

"People of all ages can join in the fun, so why not bring your friends, your family members, your colleagues or just head down on your own and be part of something very special.”

Parkrun’s Chrissie Wellington said: “We are thrilled to be joining forces with the NHS across the UK to celebrate its 75th anniversary.

"We know that participating in parkrun is incredibly beneficial to people’s mental and physical health, and best of all the events are local, they are accessible, they are free, and they are fun.

"They’re also there every week, and we’d love to see those taking part continue to join us in the future.

“‘Parkrun for the NHS’ is the perfect way for us to increase awareness of parkrun across the health sector while at the same time paying tribute to the enormous and incredibly valuable contribution of NHS staff and volunteers to the health of our nation.”

For more information, visit: https://www.connecthealth.co.uk/events/connect-health-is-supporting-parkrun-for-the-nhs

New parkrun participants can register at www.parkrun.org.uk