Patients are prescribed a 5k run in the park

Health leaders are encouraging patients to take part in their local parkrun as part of an initiative to see patients “prescribed” outdoor physical activity instead of medication.

The free parkrun events let thousands of runners complete 5km courses in parks across the country.

GP practices will be encouraged to develop closer links with their local parkrun to become certified “parkrun practices”. The initiative, launched in collaboration with the Royal College of General Practitioners, aims to increase awareness among GPS of parkrun and the positive impact physical activity can have on health and well-being.