‘I absolutely loved it’: Ellie Simmonds celebrates community at parkrun

Another week, another Vitality Ambassador takes parkwalk by storm.

On Saturday, Ellie Simmonds took part in her first-ever walk at Gladstone parkrun in London, where she was joined by a field of parkwalkers.

“I absolutely loved it. The sun was shining and there were so many of us chatting away,” she said.

“Whether you go on your own, with your partner or furry friend, it’s a great opportunity to explore your local area and have great conversations with new people.”

“Not everyone can run, like myself, but getting out there in nature and meeting lots of people is just fantastic.”

Ellie Simmonds, Vitality Ambassador            

Simmonds walked the Gladstone Park event alongside more than 300 walkers, runners and 25 volunteers.

If you’ve been inspired by Ellie and our other Ambassadors, and want to make a parkwalk your new healthy habit, you can find your closest event here.

And don’t forget to mark Saturday 26 April in your calendar and join us for the biggest walking weekend across the UK’s parkwalk destinations.

Vitality members who are registered and take part on the day will earn 12 activity points, instead of their usual eight.

You can read more on the benefits of walking and how to get set up with parkrun, visit our Community page on our website: Let's Walk | parkwalk | Vitality

More picture from parkwalk with Ellie Simmonds

Behind the scenes with Heather Knight at parkwalk

On a bright and sunny – albeit breezy – Saturday morning at Somerdale Pavilion, Heather Knight became the second Vitality Ambassador to walk at their local parkrun event with Vitality in celebration of parkwalk’s relaunch.

The England cricket mainstay is no stranger to a parkrun, having accomplished many over the years, but this was the first time she has slowed down to enjoy a walk.

Unsurprisingly, being part of a team of almost 20 women, Knight most enjoyed being able to make conversation with people from the local community.

“It was great, a lot more time to chat. Usually, if I’m running a parkrun I can’t talk because I’m too out of breath,” she said.

“I was surprised at how friendly everyone was. There were people running past us and cheering us on, it was a really good community feel, everyone was there to support and it was nice to feel like you’re part of that community.”

“I love walking, I love having a chat, what’s not to like?”

Heather Knight, Vitality Ambassador

And the benefits of walking go beyond the social.

Vitality research found that those who do 10,000 steps three times per week saw a 19% reduction in risk of stage 3 cancer over a three-year period.

To help us continue building the momentum around parkwalk and its benefits, we have asked another of our Ambassadors to lead at their local parkwalk.

Ellie Simmonds – the decorated Paralympic swimmer – will be walking at Gladstone parkrun in London on 12 April.

Could you be tempted to follow in her footsteps?

Why not ask a friend along to your local parkwalk or take the family out for a stroll this weekend?

Find your nearest event here.

Plus, on 26 April, Vitality and parkrun are attempting to host the biggest ever walking weekend, with the greatest number of parkwalkers taking part in their local events across the UK.

Vitality members who are registered and take part on the day will earn 12 activity points, instead of their usual eight.

So, if you’re not registered for parkrun and you’re a Vitality member, register here to start earning activity points.

More pictures from parkwalk with Heather Knight

Read more about the physical and mental benefits of walking here: The power of community walking | Magazine | Vitality

Behind the scenes with Joe Root at his local parkwalk

31 March 2025

The first of Vitality’s 5-week celebrations to relaunch parkrun’s parkwalk initiative kicked off at the weekend with Ambassador Joe Root attending his local event in Sheffield for the first time.

The cricket batting hero walked the Millhouses parkrun route with his family, including wife Carrie and children Alfie and Isabella.

But those aren’t the only people on his list of people who he’d walk with at a parkrun.

“After coming down today, I know that I could bring so many different groups of people. I could bring my grandparents, I could bring my kids again, they’ve had a great day walking around with us or I could bring some of my mates and just catch up if we’ve not seen each other for a while,” he said.

“I think that’s the great thing about an event like this, it’s not like you’re stuck with just one demographic of people, anyone can come and do it.

“I would encourage everyone, even every week, to bring someone else. Try and encourage those to do it for the first time as well and see if they can go and do it for themselves.”

Not only was he spoilt for choice on who to bring down but pleasantly surprised by how much exercise walking 5k can be.

“The thing that’s most surprising about it is how much exercise you do without even realising”

Joe Root, Vitality Ambassador

“When you’re walking, you get lost in the conversations and the social interactions that you’re having around you, and before you know it, you’ve done two or three laps and it feels like you’ve not done anything physically, but you’ve basically completed the route.

“I can definitely see the benefits of doing something like this.

“Probably, one of the greatest being the physical benefits, you’re spending time on your feet walking, getting your exercise in, but mentally, you’re able to switch off from the working week and take your mind off all the stresses that life can bring you and go and focus on something completely different.”

Root and his family walked the Sheffield Millhouses event alongside more than 540 walkers, runners and 43 volunteers.

Plus, more than 7,000 people across the UK walked at a parkrun over the weekend.  

Next week, another member of England cricket royalty, England women’s star Heather Knight, is due to walk at her local parkrun at Somerdale Pavilion in Bristol.

Do you want to be part of next week’s story by taking part in your local parkwalk? Why not be inspired by Joe Root and bring a friend or family member with you?

You can find your nearest event here.

Tune in next week to find out how many walkers join Heather Knight and which Vitality Ambassador is lined up next to join their local parkrun and walk.

More pictures with Joe Root at Sheffield Millhouses parkrun

Vitality Ambassadors take parkwalk by storm

18 March 2025 

At Vitality, we know that small healthy habits can make a big difference to our lives.

Walking, in particular, is one habit that most of us can adopt to our daily lives and see immediate benefits – not just for our physical, but mental health too.

That’s why Vitality has teamed up with parkrun to help relaunch it’s parkwalk initiative; and to celebrate, we have asked our star-studded roster of Ambassadors to take part in a parkwalk near them over the next five weeks.

Opening play at Sheffield’s Millhouses parkrun on 29 March is England cricketer Joe Root, who is slowing down for a walk with his family.

Why not join him and go for a walk at your local parkrun this Saturday; bring along your friends and family and connect at a parkwalk. You can find your nearest event here.

Not only will you reap the benefits of community walking, but you’ll also be part of the official build-up towards the biggest-ever parkwalk event on 26 April.

We look forward to seeing you there. Tune in next week to find out how many walkers took part and which of our Ambassadors will be walking at their local parkrun next.

Tune in to watch another of Vitality’s Ambassadors explain what parkwalk is and how to get started today. 

Not registered for parkrun? You can get started here and follow the instructions to link your Vitality accounts.

Already have a parkrun account? Sign in to your parkrun profile and link your account with Vitality to start earning Activity points for your taking part parkrun or volunteering.

Related: Vitality and parkwalk join forces to help Brits build healthy habits