November 02, 2026 - 262 views
People across Wales are being encouraged to lace up their walking shoes and take part in a national parkrun initiative aimed at raising awareness of diabetes and promoting healthier lifestyles.
The first event of its kind in Wales will take place on Saturday, November 14, bringing together communities, healthcare organisations and charities to highlight how even small amounts of physical activity can make a difference to people's health.
Organised through a partnership between Diabetes UK Cymru, health boards and Public Health Wales, the initiative is part of the Tackling Diabetes Together programme, supported by parkrun in Wales.
Seven featured events will take place across the country, including at the Old Railway Trail in Llangollen, alongside locations in Ystrad Mynach, Cardiff, Pontypridd, Carmarthen, Newtown and Neath.
People are also being encouraged to take part at any local parkrun or parkwalk event across Wales.
There is no expectation that participants should run. People can walk, jog, volunteer or simply come along to support others, with the emphasis firmly on making physical activity accessible to everyone, whatever their age or ability.
The initiative comes against a backdrop of rising diabetes rates in Wales. Around one in five adults is now living with diabetes or pre-diabetes, underlining the scale of the public health challenge.
While regular physical activity can help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, it also plays an important role in helping people already living with the condition manage their health and reduce the risk of longer-term complications.
Sean Newton, Healthcare Engagement and Systems Change Manager at Diabetes UK Cymru, said the event would provide an opportunity for people to come together and support one another.
He said it would also help raise awareness of diabetes and the symptoms of type 1 diabetes, known as the 4Ts: going to the toilet more frequently, being unusually thirsty, feeling tired and becoming thinner without trying.
David Taylor, Transformation Director for the Tackling Diabetes Together Programme, said the initiative was about showing that improving health did not have to involve complicated or daunting changes.
He said everyday activities, such as taking a walk in a local park, could be an important first step.
The programme is also highlighting support available to people concerned about their risk of type 2 diabetes, as well as a new national resource designed to help those who have recently been diagnosed understand how to manage the condition.
Deputy Minister for Public and Preventative Health, Nerys Evans, said Wales needed to make it easier for people to be physically active and maintain a healthy weight.
She said events such as the national parkrun initiative demonstrated that getting active could be as simple as taking a walk around a local park.
Chris Davies, National Coordinator for Wales at parkrun UK, said the organisation was proud to be working with health partners to make physical activity welcoming and inclusive.
People interested in taking part can find details of their nearest event through the parkrun website.
Further information about understanding and reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes is available by searching online for 'Lower my type 2 diabetes risk Wales'.
People who have already been diagnosed can find practical advice and support by searching for 'Living well with type 2 diabetes Wales'.
