To ask the Minister for Communities what plans her Department has to support the establishment of new parkrun events.

Ms Hargey

Parkrun is a global charitable organisation that delivers events that are run by volunteers, with the primary aim of helping people to live healthier, happier lives. The events are free to enter and non-competitive and are generally for runners and walkers who enjoy taking part in less formal settings than the more structured competitive events organised by governing bodies or sports clubs. The success of parkrun has been remarkable globally and locally in terms of its popularity and getting people of all ages and abilities into running and walking. There are now 35 events taking place every Saturday morning. My Department recognises the great work that goes on through parkruns. As COVID restrictions were lifted, parkruns played an important role in getting large numbers of people back outdoors and into a safe environment and bringing volunteers and communities together. Parkrun has and will continue to have a positive impact on communities, and my Department has engaged extensively with the organisers to assist with the early return of events. Last year, Carál met the Member who asked the question and the event organisers, and that engagement with parkrun organisers continues. While government involvement in the development of new events is not consistent with the parkrun delivery model, my Department is happy to look at where we can assist. We have done so during the COVID pandemic through PPE packs and other supports. We will continue to keep that engagement going in the time ahead.

Ms Hargey

I tried a parkrun once in Ormeau Park, and I left it after one. I preferred to play camogie, but that was just me. They are enormous events. Recently, on social media, I saw one person who will complete his 500th parkrun in January. With no running experience at all, he started on a treadmill a few years ago, and he went on to do parkruns and has the tattoos to show for it. Parkrun has a huge impact, and, as I said, people from all age groups, backgrounds and abilities can come together to share in those events. Some of the difficulties are to do with parkrun not being a sports governing body. There are certain rules about who can apply for the funding that I can give through Sport NI. However, we are looking to work with parkrun, because we recognise the wider impact on getting people active, looking at healthy living, improving health and well-being — particularly mental health and resilience — and the importance that the events have in all of that. I am keen to work with it in the time ahead. I know that Sport NI is doing Project Re:Boot as part of the Supporting Sport to Build Back Better programme. Again, I encourage parkrun organisers to speak to Sport NI. My officials and I are more than keen to continue to engage with them to see what further support we can provide.

Mr Delargy

I know that the Minister is supportive of parkrun events. What engagement has been undertaken and what support has been provided during and after COVID to help parkrun get back to normal?

Ms Hargey

At the start of this year, three parkruns, including two junior parkruns, received the COVID-safe PPE sports packs as part of my Department's support package. Moreover, in the financial year 2018-19, three parkruns, including two junior parkrun events, benefited from the Department's defibrillator programme and associated training. The sports packs and the defibrillator programme are managed through Sport NI, so I encourage parkruns to continue to engage with it. Further back, the Department also provided IT system support for some parkrun initiatives. We will continue to support them. A fund is available through Sport NI as part of the Supporting Sport to Build Back Better programme. Notwithstanding the fact that it is not a recognised sport, we are more than willing to continue to work with the parkrun initiative to see how we can support it in the time ahead.

Mr Durkan

The Minister has accepted and repeated many of the benefits associated with running. I very much welcome her commitment that the Department will work with the organisers to see how it can assist them more. Will the Minister extend that offer to the organisers of the Walled City Marathon and Derry City and Strabane District Council to see how we can get that great event back up and running?

Ms Hargey

We will continue to work with parkrun. As I say, we met Andrew and a couple of the organisers last year. I am more than happy to do that. I am not aware of having received a request from the organisers of that marathon. I regularly work with Derry City and Strabane District Council, so I am more than happy to pick up that specific issue as part of my engagement.