Junior parkrun call on schools in Northampton to sign-up and tackle primary school inactivity levels

Parkrun are urging primary schools from East Midlands to help tackle primary school inactivity levels in Northampton after research published last year by the University of Bath found only 30% of pupils met the recommended 30 minutes of daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during school hours.  

Last week parkrun celebrated the first anniversary of parkrun primary initiative by announcing plans to more than double the number of school children registering for junior parkrun at a special event at Thatto Heath Community Primary School in St. Helens with Olympic gold curling medallist and parkrunner Eve Muirhead.  

Muirhead joined pupils and teachers at the primary school, one of the 2,500 primary schools who have signed-up to the programme over the last year, to take part in a special parkrun Assembly and mini-junior parkrun. The planned expansion of parkrun primary will see an additional 39,000 school children register to take part in junior parkrun in the next academic year on top of the 15,000 who registered in last 12 months. 

Research published last year by the University of Bath found only 30% of pupils met the recommended 30 minutes of daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during school hours, with children in more deprived schools averaging 25 minutes less activity per week. Around 40% of schools signed up to parkrun primary are in areas of high IMD (Indices of Multiple Deprivation) highlighting the charity’s focus on tackling health and physical activity inequalities in primary schools across the UK.  

Schools that sign up take part in an initial six-week programme, which includes a parkrun Assembly, before formally linking up with their local junior parkrun event. Thatto Heath Primary signed up to the programme in February 2026 before formally linking with Victoria junior parkrun in St Helens in April. Over 30 pupils along with their families and schoolteachers, now regularly run, walk and volunteer at the junior parkrun event increasing regular attendance at the event by over a third.  

James Thomas, junior parkrun Impact and Engagement Manager, commented:  

“We’ve had a phenomenal response to parkrun primary in the first 12 months with 2,500 schools signed up and taking part. We are seeing the positive impact of that across the country and particularly in schools and areas with most to gain with children, families and teachers enjoying being active outside of school and in their communities at their local junior parkrun thanks to parkrun primary.”  

But we won’t stop here in our mission to help get more children active. By doubling the number of primary school children registering for junior parkrun this academic year through parkrun primary, we can help create healthy habits that can last a lifetime.”  

Olympic gold and bronze medallist, Eve Muirhead OBE, commented:  

“I love parkrun and I know how important it is to get children active and moving in a way that is fun and welcoming, especially when we know the challenges and barriers around physical activity at that age. That’s why parkrun primary and linking schools up with their junior parkrun events is such a brilliant idea and it’s great to see Team GB support it. It doesn’t matter whether you run, walk, volunteer or cheer – it’s all about getting children outdoors and active and the huge benefits that can have.”