Fiona King, started parkrunning after being told about it by a friend, she said: “I first heard about parkrun many years ago from my friend Lauryn.
“However, it wasn’t until 2018 that I mustered up the courage to print off my barcode and gather at the start with all the other parkrunners.
“I decided to give it a try on a complete whim, I had not run for eight or so years and I was struggling with my fitness, motivation and anxiety.
"Before this point, anxiety had always gotten the better of me which meant that I had never made it to an event, I don’t know why this day was different, I was staying at my mum’s and I dragged her up and out of the door by 8:30am to see what it was all about.
“A little later, full of trepidation, I was standing in a quite empty car park.
“Suddenly, it felt like hundreds of people appeared from nowhere to attend the parkrun event - Everyone was welcoming and upbeat and I thought, ‘Wow!’
“My first parkrun was tough, having not run for many years and the 5k distance did come as quite a shock!
“But, I completed it at my own pace, stopping when I needed to and encouraged all the way by the volunteers, spectators and my fellow parkrunners.
“It was an inspiring morning, I felt a real sense of community and overcame some physical and mental obstacles on that first day which is why I returned for more and became a regular parkrunner.”
King is one of the 10 million strong parkrun community, of which nearly 400,000 people will run, walk, jog and volunteer at a parkrun each weekend around the world.
She has words of advice for new mums in the same situation as her, she explained: “I really would recommend parkrun to new mums.
“I wish that I had started back sooner by walking the course or volunteering.
“These are both great ways to get involved and get some time for yourself, it’s important that we as mums look after ourselves as we tend to spend most of our time looking after others, sometimes we do need to take some time for ourselves in the fresh air and socialise with other people.
“My advice to anyone who is feeling anxious or who is a new mum, is to take a deep breath, step outside of your comfort zone and give parkrun a try.
“I’ve ran, walked, laughed and cried at parkrun.
“I feel like I’ve experienced it all, but afterwards, I have never regretted it and always leave feeling much better for it.
“It’s amazing what a walk, jog or run can do!”
parkrun is for free, for everyone, forever and to find out more about the charity and where your nearest event to run, walk, jog or volunteer please visit parkrun.com.