parkrun and the Asian Sports Foundation are delighted to announce a new collaboration aimed at widening participation in physical activity and creating more inclusive opportunities for people from underrepresented Asian communities to get involved in parkrun.

The collaboration will focus on increasing awareness, accessibility, and participation in parkrun events among diverse Asian communities improving the pathways into parkrun. The work will start with test and learn pilots in Bradford, Coventry and Harrow and focus on developing community outreach and understanding of parkrun, volunteering opportunities awareness, and creating local partnerships. Both organisations aim to breakdown barriers to participation and encourage more people to experience the physical, mental, and social benefits of movement through parkrun.

parkrun organises free, weekly, timed 5k and junior 2k events in parks and open spaces across the country, welcoming people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to walk, jog, run, volunteer, or spectate.

The Asian Sports Foundation has a long-standing commitment to tackling inequalities in sport and physical activity, particularly among underserved communities, by supporting grassroots initiatives, leadership programmes, and inclusive participation opportunities.

Together, the organisations will work to:

• Increase the visibility and profile of parkrun amongst Asian communities in targeted areas• Increase pathways to participation from diverse Asian communities at local parkrun events
• Support the development of community champions and volunteers uptake

• Create stronger links between local communities and parkrun events
• Share insight and learning around inclusion and participation

Shazia Ali, CEO Asian Sports Foundation commented on the collaboration stating:
“We know there are still significant barriers preventing many people from engaging in sport and physical activity. By partnering with parkrun, we have an opportunity to create meaningful change at community level and encourage lifelong participation in healthy, active lifestyles.”

Halima Khan, Health and Inclusion Lead at parkrun commented:
“parkrun is for all, and we want everyone to be able to access a parkrun near them. This collaboration represents an important step in ensuring our events better reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. We are excited to work with the Asian SportsFoundation to help more people feel welcome, supported, and inspired to take part.”

The collaboration will begin with a series of community engagement initiatives throughout 2026, with both organisations committed to building a long-term legacy of inclusion, representation, and belonging.

About parkrun
parkrun is a free, weekly community event where people can walk, jog, run, volunteer, orspectate. Events take place in parks, open spaces, and communities around the world everyweekend. To find more information visit: https://www.parkrun.com/

About Asian Sports Foundation
Asian Sports Foundation works to increase participation, inclusion, and representation insport and physical activity among ethnically diverse Asian communities through grassrootsprogrammes, partnerships, and community leadership initiatives. To find more informationvisit: https://www.asiansportsfoundation.org/

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