Every Saturday, Prescott Hosts One of More Than 2,000 Weekly Runs, Worldwide
Every Saturday in cities and towns around the world, people gather to run, thanks to thousands of organized parkruns—free, 2k and 5k community events in open spaces. Now, there’s an official parkrun in Prescott at 7:30 a.m. every Saturday: the Jan Alfano Trail parkrun. It’s an out-and-back course along the south side of Willow Lake. The trailhead (where the run starts and finishes) is just behind the Beneful Dog Park.
The local parkrun events are not fancy, and neither are they races, unless runners are competing against themselves. It is an opportunity to rise and shine, enjoy the stunning Prescott mornings, meet other “tourist” parkrunners from all over the world, exercise your body and lungs in our clean Highlands air, catch up with friends, and hang out at the local coffee shop, Method Coffee, afterwards. People can participate as walkers or runners, or as much-needed volunteers. It’s a family event, in more than one way.
In March 2020, Fiona Reid and Molly Auman, who had run one parkrun each, committed to bringing a parkrun to Prescott. Then COVID happened, slowing their progress. Two years later, their enthusiasm bubbled up again and they found a suitable trail, jumped through all the necessary permitting hoops, and with the help of a core group of nine intrepid volunteers, 35 runners and walkers came to the inaugural event June 1, 2024. About one year later, on Saturday, May 31, 2025 (at the 53rd parkrun), 49 participants attended.
The parkrun concept started 21 years ago when 13 friends gathered to run a 5k in Bushy Park just outside London (Henry VIII used this park for hunting; it’s just across the road from Hampton Court Palace). Some of these runners were recovering from injuries, some were doing a Time Trial, and some were there just for fun.
Today, that same 5k route hosts between 1,300 and 1,600 runners/walkers every Saturday morning, hosted by some 66 volunteers! On Saturday, June 7, 2025, there were 325,000 parkrunners and 46,000 volunteers in total worldwide, and Prescott was one of 2,091 parkruns being held in 22 countries, on a Saturday morning in the same place, same time, and same distance! In fact, if you traveled to the Falkland Islands way down there off the coast of South America, you could run an organized parkrun. It would be held, come hell or high water.
You need three things to be counted in a parkrun: you need to register, carry the registration barcode, and be able to move yourself along the trail by walking, running, walking your dog, running with your kids, or pushing your babies in a stroller. Prescott’s parkrun has had donkey joggers too! One more thing: you need a smile, a sense of community, and a willingness to get hooked on all the fun you will encounter. The Jan Alfano Trail parkrun, and all the other parkruns worldwide, are always will be free events, for everyone, forever.
Parkruns have changed peoples’ lives for the better.
Everything you need to know about parkrun can be found on the global website, https://www.parkrun.com. To participate in the Jan Alfano Trail parkrun as a runner, walker, or much-appreciated volunteer, register at www.parkrun.us/janalfanotrail and bring your barcode with you.