The impact of Covid-19 on participation , wellbeing and exercise activity in two South African Parkruns

“parkrun” is an international organisation holding weekly, timed 5-km community events for runners and walkers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, parkruns were suspended globally, with gradual resumption in South Africa from October 2021. Comparison of participant event choice and performance at two Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) parkruns was ongoing when COVID-19 began, endabling questioning of previously recruited volunteers on their physical activity and wellness during suspension and after parkrun resumed, to determine effects on fitness and wellbeing. All respondents maintained some physical activity during suspension but missed the camaraderie and emotional support of parkrun. After reopening, 81% of respondents resumed parkrun within 1 year (i.e., by September 2022). Their stated motivations and benefits of parkrun were the same as pre-COVID-19. Enthusiasm for parkrun increased, although commitment to regularly attending a specific parkrun event reduced. The remaining respondents reported losing the habit of attending parkrun, developing new exercise routines, or moving to areas with no parkrun nearby. In the first quarter of 2022, total participation in NMBM parkruns was 29% of pre-COVID-19 numbers; by first quarter 2024 this increased to 69%. Individual parkrun times were initially reduced, but mean participant performance 1 year after resumption was not significantly impaired.