Durham, 19th July, 2025, the Durham Masonic Parkrun Group took their monthly meet-up international, with over forty Freemasons, plus friends and families from the Province of Durham joining the global Parkrun movement across two continents.
The headline event saw members travel to North Yorkshire for the 500th Fountains Abbey Parkrun, uniting with fellow Freemasons from the Province of Yorkshire North, West Riding. At the same time, 64-year-old Durham Freemason Paul Lister laced up his trainers in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, for one of six Parkruns he’s completing while following the British & Irish Lions tour.
Since its formation in 2022, the Durham Masonic Parkrun Group has gone from strength to strength. The initiative promotes physical health, mental well-being, and community engagement while showcasing the positive impact Freemasonry has across society.
Duncan Maw, Provincial Grand Almoner and Group Coordinator, shared: “It started as a simple idea to bring members, friends, and families together for a run, followed by coffee and cake. With the support of our Provincial Grand Master, John Watts, what began as a local activity has blossomed into a movement.
We are open to everyone, whether as a participant or a volunteer. We encourage the social aspect afterwards, as it’s a fantastic way to build community and help tackle social isolation in all its forms.”
The group’s journey to Fountains Abbey was part of a broader mission to inspire other Provinces to form their own Parkrun communities: “We wanted to show our brethren in Yorkshire the benefits of Parkrun – for health, camaraderie, and visibility in our communities,” Duncan said. “We’re already planning our next ‘Parkrun Road Trip’ to York Racecourse on 16th August, where we’ll join the Province of Yorkshire and East Riding.”
Also, in attendance at Fountains Abbey were: John Watts, Provincial Grand Master of Durham, who presented Nigel Seymour with a commemorative shirt for completing his 100th Parkrun; James Newman OBE, Provincial Grand Master of Yorkshire, West Riding; John Paul Thompson, Past ProvGM of Durham and now Assistant Grand Master of UGLE, who helped coordinate the day’s events on behalf of Duncan Maw.
He said: “It was a real pleasure to support the Durham Masonic Parkrun Group at such a landmark event. As a Durham Mason myself, I’m incredibly proud of how our Province continues to lead the way in promoting unity, wellbeing, and community engagement both at home and across the wider Masonic community. The Parkrun initiative has been so effective, and I hope it spreads to neighbouring provinces.”
The Durham Masonic Parkrun Group continues to set the pace for community engagement, proving that wherever you are in the world, you’re never far from friendship, fitness, and Freemasonry.
For more information regarding Durham Freemasons, please contact: membership@durhamfreemasons.org or visit:
https://durhamfreemasons.org/joinus