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So what will we need to do to enjoy this FREE event?
Don't let your age stop you from joining in your local parkrun. Firstly, you just visit the excellent www.parkrun.org.uk website and read all about it and before you take part you will need firstly to register and create an account, print-off or more popular, store on your wristband or save to your phone. This is your unique barcode, keep it with or on you and just turn up at your local run on any Saturday morning. Perhaps you prefer to volunteer or simply watch but if you do choose to run/jog/walk, try to aim for arriving at around 8:30am. as this will give you plenty of time to find the gathering for the 'first timers briefing' and then the 9am start. (9:30am in just a few places where they are affected by daylight and 8am in warmer countries like New Zealand & Australia). Regardless of how fit you believe you are, you can shuffle, jog or walk your way around the 5k course. REMEMBER THIS IS NOT A RACE! The quicker runners will gather at the front of the start and race against themselves for a PB (personal best) but the majority of parkrunners run, jog, shuffle, walk and yes, they talk their way around the course at whatever speed they choose. Everybody, regardless of where they finish, will be achieving the same level of satisfaction at the end and may even be feeling quite smug. Remember, even if you walk the whole thing, you’re still doing better than the guys and girls still sitting on the sofa at home munching their way through a 'full English' or whatever is their Saturday morning comfort food! 
The 'Finishing time' at first will not be important, but over the weeks as soon as you get home, showered and relax you find yourself waiting for the automated 'results' text and/or email. Believe me, it will soon become all-consuming seeing your personal time, be it 15 minutes or 60 minutes.....3 seconds or 3 minutes better than last week, it is all worth the early start and effort. By scrolling up and down you are able to see how 'others' performed and will soon be comparing your age group, like me, in seeing how I have faired in the 75-80* year olds! Hovering your curser over the figures and realising that the in- depth stats are amazing, but beware..........you can easily become just as hooked on the weekly stats as you will surely become of the weekly parkrun itself! * reaching my 75's milestones I moved up a group with "better" age grading and as time flies by it's getting all of us closer to the next milestone!
"parkrun is for almost everyone and not just for the super-fit. Your shape, size and age shouldn't be a barrier. Bring your dog* or even bring your grandchildren in buggies* but most of all...bring yourself. Do it with friends or just by yourself. Run Jog or Walk, you will never be last as a volunteer the 'tail-walker' or 'park-walker will always be with or at the end of the crowd. If you want to see how it works first, just turn up, watch the enthusiasm, ask around and then just go for it next week "
For youngsters there is a burgeoning junior parkrun in many locations. It's a shorter course and is more suited to kids. It takes place on a Sunday morning, same time, same enthusiasm, so watch and cheer-on the grandchildren. You can run, jog or walk around with them or get involved as volunteering is hugely appreciated and very rewarding for you!
Sun & rain, hot & cold! Be prepared to enjoy all 4 seasons but remember...it's seldom cancelled due to weather but sometimes a local event takes precedent! Just check the local parkrun facebook if you are unsure and if you are on the volunteers roster they will try to let you know if it will be cancelled by email, with as much as they can, to avoid an unnecessary journey. Try to walk/jog to the event or use public transport as parking for the parkrun can often be limited.