Amarillo Runners Get Two New Saturday 5K Parkrun Routes

Amarillo now runs three timed parkrun events on Saturday mornings, with the newest addition at Thompson Park drawing 142 participants on July 4.

Wellness programs in the city have expanded since the Amarillo Parks and Recreation Department added trail lighting and rest stations in 2025. More residents track steps through employer challenges tied to the Panhandle Health Initiative, which logged 18,000 participant miles last quarter. Local clinics report higher referrals for outdoor activity as a low-cost option after insurance changes raised gym fees.

Routes at Thompson Park and Memorial Park

Thompson Park on South Georgia Street hosts the main 5K loop that starts at 8 a.m. near the playground entrance. Runners follow a measured path past the duck pond and around the baseball fields before finishing at the same gate. The Amarillo Running Club supplies volunteer timers and posts results on its site by noon each week. Memorial Park on 15th Avenue offers a flatter course along the creek trail that begins at the south parking lot. That event starts at 7:45 a.m. and attracts families because the adjacent splash pad opens right after the run.

City records show average weekly attendance across both sites reached 187 runners in June, up from 119 in the same month two years earlier. Entry stays free, though the Parks Department charges $8 for optional timing chips available at the registration table. Both parks open restrooms at 7 a.m. on event days and keep water fountains running through the summer heat.

Next steps for first-time runners

Check the Amarillo Running Club website on Friday evenings for any weather-related route changes. Arrive 15 minutes early to sign the waiver and meet the volunteer lead at the start line. New participants can walk the course or run at their own pace, with no minimum speed required. The next events begin July 11 at both locations.