When Leanne Evans was 42 years old, she underwent urgent surgery to repair a faulty valve in her heart. Six months later she took part in her first parkrun.

It was the start of a life-saving fitness journey that has since transformed her life, and her wellbeing.

More than a decade on, she has now run more than 360 parkruns in more than 50 locations around Australia and volunteered at over 170 events.

Leanne has not taken part in more than 360 parkruns, in more than 50 locations around Australia.

In her words, the weekly community event has changed her life – for the better.

“I just can’t imagine my Saturday mornings without parkrun,” she said.

“For me, parkrun is a way for people to become active and part of their community, without any pressure.

“You can walk. You can run. You can take the dog. It’s a wonderful initiative for both your physical and mental health.

“If a shy introvert like me can join the parkrun community and thrive, so can you.”

Parkrun is a free, community five-kilometre event for walkers, runners and volunteers that takes place every Saturday morning in 21 locations across Tasmania, and over 470 locations in Australia.

It is a global initiative.

A nurse at the Launceston General Hospital, Leanne is also one of the ambassadors for parkrun Tasmania.

Reflecting on her fitness journey, she said while she had always been active as a child, as life got busier she became complacent about her health.

“While pregnant with our third child my GP picked up a heart murmur, which at the time we passed off as benign,” Leanne said.

“Fast forward 10 years and my cardiologist began to discuss the potential of a heart valve replacement as my condition was degenerative, but I was fearful of surgery.

“I had gradually become less and less fit and I put on a bit of weight.

“I remember walking up the Zig Zag track with my husband and I thought I was going to pass out, I got so puffed.

“That was the moment I realised I needed to have the surgery and prioritise my health.”

Leanne spoke to her surgeon about what she would be physically capable of, post-surgery.

“He indicated running was an excellent way to maintain heart health and mentioned he had a patient who had undergone the surgery I was about to have who was running marathons. So, the seed was sown,” she explained.

“Once I’d decided to try parkrun it took me weeks before I went, because I was so nervous.

“But once I was there and I did it, I have never looked back.”

Regular physical activity is one of the best things a person can do for their heart health.

Increasing your physical activity from as little as 10 minutes a day to the recommended 30 to 45 minutes a day, five or more days of the week, can significantly help reduce the risk of heart disease and heart attacks.

Last year the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners formalised a partnership with parkrun, encouraging more GPS to refer their patients to partake in the weekly fitness activity.

The form of ‘social prescribing’ is aimed at embedding patients in community activities that can help address the modifiable risk factors of heart disease, such as obesity and physical inactivity.

As part of our annual heart health awareness month, the Clifford Craig Foundation is encouraging community members to join their local parkrun as a way of kickstarting a healthier future.

CEO Peter Milne said regular physical activity was one of the best things a person could do to improve their heart health, with parkrun providing a fun, free and inclusive setting all over Tasmania.

“Keeping your heart healthy is something you can work on every day, but throughout September we are urging you, our community, to commit to leading a healthier lifestyle,” he said.

“Parkrun is an inspiring initiative and an ideal way to take that first step towards getting more active.

“So, this Saturday I encourage everyone to grab a friend or loved one and head out for walk or run at your nearest parkrun event.”

Visit www.parkrun.com.au for details of your nearest event.

After life-saving heart surgery, a ‘prescription’ of parkrun proved life-changing for Leanne