Parkrunners Podcast

Parkrunners Podcast It is also for aspiring parkrunners, parkwalkers and volunteers!

This group is for listeners to the Parkrunners Podcast and for anyone interested in sharing their stories, experiences or positive impact of parkrun in their communities.

It’s been a few quiet weeks on the podcast — and not entirely by design!A mix of tricky recordings, tech challenges, and...
17/04/2026

It’s been a few quiet weeks on the podcast — and not entirely by design!

A mix of tricky recordings, tech challenges, and a bit of time away meant I had to pause… but I’m really pleased to say we’re back with a fantastic new episode.

And it’s a special one - our first guest from South Africa🇿🇦

This week I’m joined by Sue Freegard from Johannesburg, whose story is a brilliant reminder that first impressions don’t always tell the full story.

Sue started out as a very reluctant parkrunner — but during a gap year travelling through Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia, something clicked.

Since then, she’s gone on to complete:
334 parkruns
300 different locations
166 volunteer roles across 165 venues

It’s an incredible story of travel, community and how parkrun can become part of the rhythm of your life — often when you least expect it.

If you’ve ever been unsure about giving parkrun a go, or you love hearing about parkrun adventures around the world, I think you’ll really enjoy this one.

🎧 link in the comments below

With parkrun Japan – I just got recognised as one of their top fans! I'm looking forward to share a new podcast recordin...
07/04/2026

With parkrun Japan – I just got recognised as one of their top fans! I'm looking forward to share a new podcast recording this month with the first Japan parkrun guest on the Parkrunners Podcast - stay tuned 🎉

04/04/2026

🌸 Happy Easter Everyone - a great time for a reset 🌸

We all have seasons where we have to slow down. Whether you're maxed out at home, work or have an injury.

I’ve been following Dame Kelly Holmes Official rehab journey (Day 92!), and it’s a masterclass in the parkrun spirit. From regular 18mins finishes to hobbling to a 50+ min parkwalk, and finally back to running—all with her "trust the process" mindset.

If a double gold Olympian can embrace the "slow road" to recovery, so can we. Whether you're coming back from injury, a long winter break, or maybe you're just feeling a bit "stuck" (like the podcast tech this week! 😅), let's remember that showing up is a win!

Sometimes in life we have to slow down, do the work then reset before we can speed up again.

While I finalise a couple of upcoming episodes with our first guests from parkrun Japan and parkrun South Africa I want to encourage you, if you’ve been away from exercise for a while, this is your sign to come back. Walk, jog, or volunteer—just show up!


QQ: What’s your favourite way to participate when you aren't feeling 100%?
🚶‍♂️ Walking / 🦺 Volunteering / 📣 Cheering from the sidelines?

A little post-IWD (International Womens Day) love for the incredible women of The Parkrunners Podcast and my own parkrun...
11/03/2026

A little post-IWD (International Womens Day) love for the incredible women of The Parkrunners Podcast and my own parkrun world. 💛

So many amazing female guests have shared their stories with me so far — founders, Olympians, volunteers, tourists, community champions and women whose stories quietly inspire others every single week.

Thank you to Minreet Kaur Carol Dickinson, Olwyn Dunne, Shona McCallin GB Hockey - MBE & OLY, Jan Lenton, Celia Dawson, Tasha Thompson, Emily Fleuriot, Lili Mooney, Dame Kelly Holmes Official DBE, MBE & OLY, Marcia Dubbelaar, Commeletia Allison and Lynne Donaldson.

And lots of love too to Nicki Gray, Pauline Begley-Jones and Jane Slinn — my fabulous Bushy parkrun buddies of the last 10 years. Saturday mornings wouldn’t be the same without you.

Here’s to women who show up, lift others up, and make this community what it is.

🎙️ New Parkrunners Podcast episode!This week I’m joined by the incredible  Seymour, the co-founder of  and founder & ED ...
07/03/2026

🎙️ New Parkrunners Podcast episode!
This week I’m joined by the incredible Seymour, the co-founder of and founder & ED of parkrun (my favourite parkrun outside of Bushy Park!).

Chris is also one of a very small number of people worldwide (192 to be exact!) to complete the uber challenging Marathon Grand Slam — including running a marathon at the North Pole and in Antarctica 🤯❄️

But what I loved most about this conversation is how grounded it is in community and purpose — from building Queenstown parkrun to using running as a force for good through 'Run Over MLD'.

🎧 Listen now [link in comments below]
❤️ If you’ve ever been lifted by a parkrun community, tell me where your home parkrun is in the comments.

New episode is live 🎧I’m joined by Tom Sharples — better known as  — whose running journey began in the most unexpected ...
27/02/2026

New episode is live 🎧

I’m joined by Tom Sharples — better known as — whose running journey began in the most unexpected way. Tom had never run before a work colleague dared him to enter the London Marathon ballot… and he got a place first time.

He trained from scratch, completed the London Marathon, and then wanted to keep the habit going. That’s when he discovered parkrun (Hampstead Heath parkrun was his first!) and what started as a simple Saturday routine soon became a huge adventure: Tom “accidentally” completed the London/Greater London Challenge — finishing all 66 parkrun venues across London.

We talk community, confidence, mental fitness, beginner-friendly advice, and why Tom’s message is so powerful: If you run, you’re a runner.

🎧 Listen now - link in comments below
What was your first parkrun — and what made you come back?

This week’s guest on The Parkrunners Podcast is the fabulous  — often affectionately called “Señorita Commeletia” and kn...
21/02/2026

This week’s guest on The Parkrunners Podcast is the fabulous — often affectionately called “Señorita Commeletia” and known online as Commeletia "The-only-one.” 🌟

She’s the definition of a parkrun all-rounder: runner, walker, volunteer, and world-class parkrun tourist… and she’s just a few parkruns away from her 500 milestone shirt 🙌

Commeletia is also a serious challenge-chaser. She’s been celebrated for being the third person in the world (and first female) to achieve her 11th parkrun alphabet, and her challenge journey continues from there.
She’s also been congratulated for reaching 250+ different parkrun venues — wow!

And honestly? She’s one of those people who brings the community spirit with her — turning up, cheering people on, and even taking hundreds of photos at events to capture the joy. 📸

💛 Tell me in the comments:
Where’s the most memorable parkrun you’ve ever done — and what parkrun challenge are you working on (if any)?

For my 💛 Valentine’s Day Special Edition 💛 of The Parkrunners Podcast, I had the absolute joy of interviewing Lynne & Ja...
13/02/2026

For my 💛 Valentine’s Day Special Edition 💛 of The Parkrunners Podcast, I had the absolute joy of interviewing Lynne & James Donaldson — whose love story has been woven through Cusworth Hall parkrun from the very beginning.

They dated, got engaged, and (my favourite detail) spent their wedding day morning at Cusworth Hall parkrun . 🥹🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️💍

It’s a beautiful reminder that parkrun isn’t just a 5k — it’s a weekly community where friendships grow, confidence returns… and sometimes, 'forever' starts.

💬 Tell me in the comments:
Have you or someone you know found love at parkrun? Or a deep love for parkrun through friends, volunteering, or community?

🎧 Listen to the Valentine’s episode - link in comments below.

With parkrun –  Very pleased that I just got recognised as one of their top fans! 🎉 And it is true that I am kind of fon...
06/02/2026

With parkrun – Very pleased that I just got recognised as one of their top fans! 🎉 And it is true that I am kind of fond of all things parkrun - the runners, the walkers, the volunteers, the Saturday morning ritual of the 5k and coffee & chat with friends after and of course sharing the stories of amazing parkrun enthusiasts from across the globe 🌎 😊

ICYMI - this week's podcast episode 🎧“Parkrun is about doing it and moving.” 💛That simple reminder is the heart of this ...
02/02/2026

ICYMI - this week's podcast episode 🎧
“Parkrun is about doing it and moving.” 💛

That simple reminder is the heart of this week’s episode — a conversation about running as a place of belonging, not judgement. My guest is Mike Seaman (ultra runner, parkrunner and the CEO behind the National Running Show which took place in Birmingham over the weekend). Together we explore community, inclusivity, mental health, and sustainability around running events.

🎧 Listen here: See comments below🎧

This week on The Parkrunners Podcast I’m joined by  Seaman — a parkrunner, an ultra runner and the CEO of the Raccoon Me...
01/02/2026

This week on The Parkrunners Podcast I’m joined by Seaman — a parkrunner, an ultra runner and the CEO of the Raccoon Media Group behind the National Running Show (which is on this weekend in Birmingham — perfect timing!).

We talk about why running communities matter so much, and why parkrun is special because it celebrates every pace. There’s also a powerful conversation about mental health, inclusivity, and how running events can lead the way on sustainability.

🎧 Listen here: [link in comments below]

💬 What does parkrun give you most: community, headspace, routine, or challenge?

New episode out now 🎧💛This week I’m joined by -Dubbelaar — my first Dutch guest — who discovered parkrun on her travels ...
25/01/2026

New episode out now 🎧💛
This week I’m joined by -Dubbelaar — my first Dutch guest — who discovered parkrun on her travels and went on to complete every Dutch parkrun twice. 🇳🇱

We talk parkrun tourism (how to turn up in a new country and feel instantly welcome), the unique vibe of Dutch parkruns, and why volunteering is the best way to feel part of the community wherever you are.

Listen using link in comments below.
And I’d love to know — where was your most memorable “tourist” parkrun?

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