Building Community, One parkrun at a Time: Darren Rowe’s Vision for North East Lincolnshire

When Darren Rowe laced up his trainers in his mid-thirties, it wasn’t for a personal best or a medal — it was a bet with his wife to get healthier. What started as a personal challenge turned into a community movement that continues to ripple across North East Lincolnshire more than a decade later.

From runner to community leader

After joining Cleethorpes Athletics Club and becoming Club Captain, Darren discovered how cliquey and inaccessible the running world can feel to newcomers. That experience shaped his decision in 2014 to launch Cleethorpes parkrun — not just a local run, but a truly inclusive event owned by the community. “I didn’t want it to be something that belonged to one group. I brought people together from different clubs and backgrounds to make sure it felt like it was for everyone.”

What’s next: expanding parkrun across the patch

Darren is preparing to launch two new parkrun events: a new 5K adult parkrun in Grimsby starting at Freshney Parkway, and a new Junior 2K parkrun at Grant Thorold Park, run in partnership with Michelle Cook and The Canopy. Both events aim to promote physical and mental wellbeing and make use of green spaces in underrepresented communities.

Volunteers wanted

“We’re looking for people with a bit of gumption,” Darren says. “You don’t need to be a runner. You just need to want to make a difference on a Saturday or Sunday morning.” Volunteer roles include marshals, barcode scanners, run directors, event setup crew, and tail walkers. Roles are flexible and suitable for all ages.

“You don’t need to run to belong. Just turn up, get involved, and be part of something positive.”