Complete control
You set the distance, the rules, and the frequency.
Parkrun alternative for race organisers
Launch a free weekly 5K — without Parkrun's fees, rules, or waiting list
Rejected by Parkrun? Can't afford the startup fee? Not in a Parkrun country? Runday gives you the platform, app, and hands-on support to run free weekly timed 5Ks — the same community spirit, without the Parkrun price tag.
2,840+ events · 17,500+ members · Free for runners
Sound familiar?
- We love the Parkrun model but can't raise £4,000 to start
- Parkrun rejected our application — or our country isn't on their roadmap
- We can't meet Parkrun's operating rules or brand requirements
- We want weekly timed runs, not a one-off race series
- We need registration, timing, and results — not spreadsheets
- We want a Parkrun-style event without the Parkrun franchise fee
Compare
Parkrun vs Runday
Both movements share the same spirit — free, weekly, volunteer-led community running. Here's where they differ for organisers.
| Parkrun | Runday | |
|---|---|---|
| Participant cost | Free | Free |
| Organiser startup cost | Often £4,000+ (UK) or ~$5,000 (US); varies by country | No large upfront franchise fee — contact us to discuss your community |
| Time to launch | Typically 3–6 months | Guided onboarding with mentoring |
| Registration & timing | Parkrun ecosystem | Dedicated Runday app (Timer + Scanner) + web dashboard |
| Geographic availability | Limited to Parkrun countries | Open to international enquiries |
| Brand flexibility | Must operate as "parkrun" | Use your own branding, or operate as a local Runday (e.g. "Glenvale Runday") |
| Results & community | parkrun.org profiles | Runday profiles, milestone awards, volunteer tracking |
Parkrun startup fees vary by country. UK organisers are typically asked for a £4,000 (+ VAT) one-off fee; US events commonly require ~$5,000 startup funding.Source: parkrun.com
Why Runday
Why organisers choose Runday
Your event, your rules, your community — with the platform to run it at scale.
Data ownership
You keep your community's data, not a third-party corporation.
Monetisation
The freedom to charge entry fees, sell merchandise, or secure local sponsors.
Automated logistics
Barcode scanning, instant results, and leaderboards out of the box.
Platform
The platform you get
Everything you need to run a weekly timed 5K — built and battle-tested across thousands of events.
Runner registration
One-time signup on web or mobile app. Every runner gets a personal QR code.
Timer app
Volunteer taps finish times in order on race day — simple and reliable.
Scanner app
Scan position token + runner QR at the finish line to match times to people.
Organiser dashboard
Upload and publish results, manage volunteers, and add run photos from the web.
Public results
Searchable run history, league tables, and location pages your community can share.
Milestone programme
Runner and volunteer milestone awards keep people coming back week after week.
Proof
Already running internationally
Runday Ukraine
Battle-tested since 2016
Runday Ukraine launched in 2016 and has held more than 5,000 events across 16 locations — all made possible thanks to 11,000 volunteer hours.
“We built Runday because our communities deserved free weekly runs — and the tools to make them happen. If Parkrun isn't an option where you are, we'd love to help you launch.”
- Events held
- 5,000+
- Locations
- 16
- Volunteer hours
- 11,000+
Launch in 4 steps
How to launch with Runday
1
Get in touch
Tell us about your city, community, and timeline. We'll reply within a couple of business days.
2
Intro call
We walk you through the Runday app, organiser dashboard, and what a typical event day looks like.
3
Plan your route & team
Choose a safe 5K route, recruit volunteers, and get your core team trained on Timer and Scanner.
4
Launch
Run your first event with Runday team support — then keep going every week.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What if Parkrun rejected our application?
You're not alone — many Runday organisers came to us after a Parkrun rejection, a long wait, or because their location wasn't eligible. Runday is built for grassroots communities who want the same free weekly 5K format without Parkrun's franchise model. Get in touch and we'll discuss your situation.
Can we start without paying Parkrun's startup fee?
Yes. Runday does not require a large upfront franchise fee like Parkrun's typical costs (often £4,000+ in the UK or ~$5,000 in the US). We work with organisers to find a sustainable model for your community.
Do we have to follow Parkrun's rules?
No. Runday is an independent platform with its own operating guidelines designed for free, weekly, volunteer-led community runs. You can use your own branding, or run under the Runday name with a local identity.
Is Runday affiliated with Parkrun?
No. Runday is an independent platform inspired by the same community-running principles — free, weekly, volunteer-led, and open to everyone. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to parkrun.
Do participants pay to run?
No. Runday events are completely free for runners. There are no subscriptions or hidden fees.
What does it cost to start internationally?
There is no large upfront franchise fee like Parkrun's typical startup costs. We work with grassroots organisers to find a sustainable model for your community — get in touch and we'll discuss your situation.
Can we use our own branding?
Yes, this is 100% possible — or you can operate under the Runday brand with a local identity — for example, "Glenvale Runday" in the UK.
What countries do you support?
We're open to enquiries worldwide. Events currently run on Runday in Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Poland, Germany, and Slovenia — and we're actively onboarding new international locations.
What equipment do we need?
Finish position tokens, smartphones for Timer and Scanner volunteers, and a safe 5K route. We provide detailed guides for every volunteer role.
How is timing handled on race day?
The same proven flow used across thousands of events: a Timer volunteer records finish times in order, a Scanner matches each finisher's QR code to their position, and results are combined and published via the organiser dashboard.
Get started
Ready to start your weekly run?
Tell us about your community and we'll get back to you.
Prefer email? info@runday.org