Discover Duloch junior parkrun
Article written by: Amanda Amaeshi, on behalf of the Duloch junior parkrun Run Director team
If you’ve ever strolled through the park on a weekend morning and spotted a cheerful crowd of runners, walkers, and hi-viz-wearing volunteers, you may already have seen parkrun in action!
parkrun is a free, community-led event where people of all ages and abilities can walk, jog, run, volunteer, or spectate. The 5k events take place every Saturday, while junior parkrun offers a shorter 2k version designed especially for children aged 4-14 and their families every Sunday morning.
Following the success of Dunfermline parkrun in Pittencrieff Park, which began in July 2015, Duloch junior parkrun launched in August 2019 and has been growing ever since. Held at Duloch Country Park on Sundays at 09:30, the event offers a pressure-free environment where children and their families can be active and social. Participants are encouraged to arrive around 09:20 for a short pre-event briefing, where volunteers share important safety information, celebrate milestones and birthdays, and lead a fun group warm-up before setting off.
The event is completely free! All that’s needed is a one-time online registration to receive a personal barcode, which participants bring along each week to record their time. Whether children choose to run, jog, or walk, they are equally encouraged and supported. There is no maximum time limit and, thanks to a dedicated Tail Walker, no one ever finishes last.
Beyond the exercise itself, Duloch junior parkrun provides the opportunity for children to build confidence, make friends, and enjoy being outdoors. According to parkrun’s Health and Wellbeing survey, three quarters of children feel happier after taking part. It’s a simple way for families and friends to spend quality time together, creating a positive start to the day.
Volunteers power our event, and there are opportunities for people of all ages to get involved. From marshalling the course to scanning barcodes, all roles are straightforward and explained on the day, with no prior experience required. Volunteering is a fantastic way to apply your skills or learn new ones, develop team-working skills, and contribute to the local community – and it can count towards the volunteering section of the Duke of Edinburgh Award. You can get in touch in advance to be added to the volunteer roster, or simply turn up on the day to lend a hand – even if the roster looks full, we will never turn away willing volunteers!
Local primary schools across Dunfermline are also warmly invited to get involved through the ‘parkrun primary’ initiative. By linking with Duloch junior parkrun, schools can encourage pupils, families, and staff to enjoy regular physical activity outside school hours, helping to build lifelong positive attitudes towards movement and community connection. If your school would like to get involved, we’d love to hear from you and help you get started.
With an average of 50 participants each week and a recent record turnout of 93 at our 250th event, Duloch junior parkrun continues to go from strength to strength. We are always delighted to welcome new faces, whether you’re running, walking, or volunteering.
To find out more, email dulochjuniors@parkrun.com, visit our event website at www.parkrun.org.uk/duloch-juniors, or follow ‘Duloch junior parkrun’ on Facebook and Instagram. To register for a personal barcode, head to www.parkrun.org.uk/register.
Take your first step towards a healthier, happier Sunday morning!
Photos courtesy of: Dunfermline Press