Leading free 5K event organiser parkrun has joined forces with The Nation’s 5K Challenge, an initiative launching on June 27, 2026, with the goal of getting one million people moving across the UK and Ireland.
Led by endurance athlete Esmée Gummer, the campaign aims to inspire participation and raise funds for charity through free, accessible community 5k events. To drive engagement, Gummer will run 5,000km through 77 cities between June 27 and October 3, 2026.
As part of the initiative, Gummer will visit 13 local parkrun communities during her route, joining their free weekly 5k events to encourage residents to walk, jog, run or volunteer. More than 3,000 people have already registered for the campaign, with 1,300 sign-ups recorded within the first 24 hours of registration opening.
The project builds on an existing relationship between parkrun and realbuzz, which is managing participant registrations and charity partnerships for The Nation’s 5K Challenge.
Nina Sethi, Head of Brand and Marketing at realbuzz, said “At realbuzz, we’re passionate about creating opportunities for people to come together through movement, fundraising and shared experiences. parkrun has built one of the most inclusive and inspiring community participation movements in the world, making them a natural partner for The Nation’s 5K Challenge.
“By bringing together Esmée’s ambition, parkrun’s community network and the public’s enthusiasm for getting active, we have an opportunity to create a lasting impact in communities across the UK and Ireland while raising funds for important causes.”
Ali McArthur, Global Head of Event Delivery & Volunteering at parkrun, said “parkrun exists to make physical activity accessible to as many people as possible, and we’re delighted to support Esmée and The Nation’s 5K Challenge. Helping one million people move is an ambitious goal, but it’s one that reflects our shared belief that physical activity should be free, welcoming and accessible. We know that people are more likely to stay active when they feel connected to others, whether through running, walking, volunteering or supporting their local community.”
Esmée Gummer, who was temporarily paralysed following a spinal injury at 18 years old, added “I’m incredibly grateful for parkrun’s support. Their events have inspired millions of people to get active and feel part of something special, so having them involved in The Nation’s 5K Challenge means so much.
“This challenge has always been about showing people that movement can be accessible, enjoyable and something that brings communities together. After being paralysed at 18 and told I would never walk again, I know first-hand how powerful movement can be.”
The campaign will visit the following parkrun locations during the 2026 season:
- June 27 – Inverness
- July 4 – Edinburgh
- July 11 – Derry
- July 18 – Dublin
- August 1 – Durham
- August 8 – Doncaster
- August 15 – Wolverhampton
- August 22 – Ely
- August 29 – Southend
- September 5 – Salisbury
- September 12 – Plymouth
- September 19 – Cardiff
- September 26 – Hereford
Participants have the option to donate during the registration process, with fundraising powered by GoFundMe. The funds raised will be split across official charity partners, with 25% allocated to spinal cord research foundation Wings for Life, 25% to mental health sports charity Sport in Mind, a portion to parkrun, and the remainder distributed to charities chosen by a public vote.
