Why hundreds of children are heading to Duke Street Park every Sunday morning…
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
What started as a brand new community event just a few weeks ago has quickly become one of Formby's biggest Sunday morning success stories.
Duke Street Park junior parkrun launched on the longest day of the year, Sunday 21 June 2026, and made an incredible first impression, attracting an amazing 197 children to its inaugural event.
Now, after just seven weeks, the free weekly event continues to grow, bringing together children, parents, grandparents and volunteers for a fun-filled morning that encourages fitness, confidence and community spirit.
The seventh junior parkrun, held on Sunday 2 August, was another fantastic success, welcoming:
🏃 126 finishers
⭐ 29 first timers
⚡ 23 personal bests
🙌 24 incredible volunteers
Designed for children aged 4 to 14, junior parkrun is a free, friendly 2km event where youngsters can walk, jog or run around the course at their own pace. There's no pressure to race or compete – the emphasis is simply on taking part, having fun and enjoying being active outdoors.
Whether children are aiming for a personal best, completing their very first event or simply enjoying a stroll with friends, everyone receives the same warm welcome.
The organisers have also been delighted to see plenty of parkrun tourists visiting Formby, with families travelling from other areas to experience the beautiful Duke Street Park course and its friendly atmosphere.
Behind the scenes, the event simply couldn't happen without its fantastic team of volunteers, who give up a small part of their Sunday mornings to marshal the course, hand out finish tokens, scan barcodes, cheer on participants and ensure every child enjoys a safe and memorable experience.
The organisers are always looking for more volunteers and stress that no experience is needed. Full support is provided, and giving just 30 to 60 minutes on a Sunday morning can make a huge difference to local children and families.
Junior parkrun takes place every Sunday at 9am at Duke Street Park, Duke Street, Formby. It is completely free to take part, although children only need to register with parkrun once before their first event and remember to bring a scannable barcode each week to receive an official result.
After the run, many families continue the social side of the morning by meeting for a coffee at Formby Pool, helping to create a real sense of community around the event.
If you've been looking for a fun, healthy and completely free activity for the children, this could be the perfect way to start a Sunday morning.
For more information, to register or to find out how to volunteer, visit the Duke Street Park junior parkrun website:
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