Billings Runners Discover Three Weekly Free 5K Parkruns Saturday Mornings

Billings now hosts three official parkrun events on Saturday mornings, with the largest drawing 140 participants at 8 a.m. on the paved loop inside Pioneer Park.

Summer daylight and the city’s push for free outdoor activity have increased turnout at these timed runs since the first Billings event launched in 2023. Local health data from the Yellowstone County Health Department shows adult physical activity rates rose 8 percent between 2022 and 2025, and residents cite cost-free weekly events as one reason they keep returning.

Two reliable routes inside city limits

The original Billings parkrun meets at the west entrance of Pioneer Park on 6th Avenue West, where volunteers set up timing mats along the 3.1-mile gravel and asphalt circuit that circles the ball fields. A second course opened last spring at Lockwood Park east of the interstate, using the flat riverside trail that runs parallel to the Yellowstone and finishes near the community garden. Both sites are maintained by Billings Parks and Recreation and require only a free online barcode from parkrun.com.

Each event records finish times that participants can track on the global parkrun website. The Pioneer Park run has posted average completion times of 28 minutes 45 seconds across its 78 events to date, while the Lockwood course, still building its numbers, averages 31 minutes. No entry fee applies at either location.

Next steps for first-timers

Walkers, joggers and runners of all speeds are welcome, and volunteers need only arrive 15 minutes early to help set up cones. Check the parkrun Billings page for weather cancellations and volunteer sign-up before heading to either park this weekend.