Transition and Tribes: Understanding parkrun’s Potential to Support Veteran Well-Being

Key intervention priorities to improve military veterans’ long-term mental and physical health and well-being include promoting physical activity and reducing social isolation and loneliness. parkrun is a free, weekly, timed, community-based 5-km walk/run event, which demonstrates positive impacts on social, physical and mental well-being. Our qualitative study explored parkrun engagement experiences and perceived impacts among veterans and non-veterans attending a parkrun in an area with a high veteran population. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 16 (10 veteran; 6 non-veteran) participants (including volunteers, runners and walkers). We used an interpretivist approach and generated two themes that help explain the value and impact of the selected parkrun and parkrun more broadly. Aligned but distinct from military illustrates how parkrun affords some of the positive aspects of being in the military (structure, physical challenge and a unifying identity), but without commitment, obligation or performance pressure. Implicit, unconditional support conveys the tacit and passive support parkrun affords to veterans’ well-being through broadening social connection, camaraderie and knowledge sharing. Importantly, neither the appeal nor value of parkrun is contingent on military affiliation. Our findings suggest that a non-targeted and highly replicable service model, when locally driven, can successfully engage veterans and enhance their social connection and well-being.