Where to Find the Best Parkrun Near You in Tunis

Runners streamed down Avenue Mohamed V just after sunrise Saturday, headed for Parc du Belvédère’s palm-shaded gates. At 8:00 a.m. sharp, whistles blew and over 120 participants—some clad in performance gear, others in everyday trainers—set off on Tunis’ largest free, timed 5km weekly parkrun.

This scene was not unusual for a July morning. As temperatures climb and air quality varies in the city centre, the city’s park-based running events are growing more popular with residents keen on outdoor activity and social fitness. With Tunis recording a surge in recreational running—and global health data linking regular exercise to reduced stress and lower cardiovascular risks—finding a welcoming, accessible parkrun option has never felt more relevant, especially for those wary of high gym memberships or crowded indoor sports centres.

From Belvédère to Rades: The City's Standout Parkruns

Parc du Belvédère, stretching across Avenue Taieb Mhiri in the heart of Mutuelleville, hosts Tunis’ most established Saturday parkrun. Organisers from the Association Tunisienne de Course Nature & Outdoor (ATCNO) lay out a well-marked 5km loop, weaving past eucalyptus groves, fountains, and the city zoo. Registration is free on the ATCNO website, and runners from all backgrounds—students from the Faculté des Sciences, families, and older adults—join each week.

Another hotspot is Forêt de Rades on Rue du Stade in Rades. Launched in late 2024, the Rades parkrun draws steadily rising numbers, with recent counts averaging 60 runners per event. The gently undulating forest trails offer shade, birdlife, and a breeze off the nearby lagoon, making it especially attractive on hotter days. Local fitness group Rades Running Crew volunteers as pacers, handing out reusable timing chips and water at the finish line.

Participation and Costs: How Does Tunis Compare?

The Tunis Belvédère parkrun has nearly doubled its average attendance since early 2025, according to ATCNO data supplied this week, growing from 65 to over 120 registered finishers most weekends. Entry remains entirely free—a point of pride for organisers—thanks to a partnership with municipal authorities and occasional sports grants from sponsors like Ooredoo Tunisia. Participants need only register once online to receive a barcode, which tracks their times and positions each week.

The parkrun format—a 5km timed event, open to all ages and fitness levels—has fuelled a broader running movement. Nationwide, local sports clubs report a 40% increase in new sign-ups this year, according to numbers released last month by La Fédération Tunisienne d’Athlétisme. The average price of a paid 5km race in Tunis ranges from 15 to 25 dinars, but both parkrun events highlighted here charge nothing and rely on volunteers. Public transport access to both Belvédère and the Rades Forest is straightforward: tram lines run directly to Belvédère’s main gates, and the Rades train station is a short walk from the forest’s north entrance.

Looking ahead, the ATCNO has announced plans for a third official parkrun by November in Ariana’s Parc Ennahli, capitalising on demand from young professionals and university students in the northern suburbs. In the meantime, anyone keen to join should check event pages—both Belvédère and Rades parkruns post updates on Facebook and Instagram every week—arrive by 7:45 a.m., and bring a water bottle and their registration barcode. Whether you’re training for your first 10k or just hoping to meet neighbours, Tunis’ parkrun scene is designed to welcome all comers—and, crucially, it’s built for the long, hot weekends ahead.