Parkrunners Podcast

New episode day — and I’m genuinely excited about this one 🇯🇵💛

I’m joined by Akihiro Matsuda, my first ever parkrun Japan guest, sharing a message that really stayed with me:
“parkrun exists in every place I call home.”

Did you know parkrun Japan now has 53 venues and has reached 333,333 cumulative participations? Such a brilliant reminder of how the movement is growing — and Akihiro’s story shows exactly why it’s thriving.

Akihiro takes us from his early parkrun days in Singapore to launching 権現堂2号公園 parkrun - Gongendo 2gou kouen parkrun (GGD2) in Japan, plus a wonderful chat about community, shared leadership (including junior Run Directors!), and his simple view of parkrun & happiness.

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts / Spotify- link in comments below
I’d love to know — what parkrun feels most like “home” to you?

NEW PARKRUNNERS PODCAST EPISODE 🎙️

This week I’m joined by the brilliant Sophie Raworth — BBC News presenter, bestselling author of Running on Air, passionate parkrunner, marathon runner and ultra athlete.

Sophie only started running when she was 38… and has since completed over 220 parkruns, multiple marathons, and even the gruelling 250km Marathon des Sables across the Sahara Desert.

At 58, she says she feels fitter and stronger than ever — despite setbacks including a fractured ankle that stopped her running for an entire year.

This is such an uplifting conversation about:
✨ starting later in life
✨ resilience and recovery
✨ the magic of parkrun community
✨ movement and mental wellbeing
✨ challenging limiting beliefs
✨ and why it’s never too late to begin

And yes… her parkrun PB of 20:31 aged 51 is seriously impressive too! 👏

I absolutely loved this conversation and I think you will too.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms - links in comments below

With Osterley parkrun – I just got recognised as one of their top fans! 🎉

This week on the Parkrunners Podcast, Chaarlee Jay shares an honest and uplifting story of rebuilding his life through movement, community and parkrun.

After reaching a serious health crossroads at 28 stone and pre-diabetes, Chaarlee began with walking — before discovering the atmosphere of the running community and eventually finding parkrun.

Now:
✅ 26 parkruns completed
✅ 7 volunteer credits
✅ Taking on the LonDone challenge
✅ Racing 5Ks, 10Ks & half marathons
✅ Dreaming of the London Marathon

What shines through most in this conversation is not transformation in appearance — but transformation in confidence, mindset and identity.

If you know someone who could benefit from a transformation story like Chaarlees, be sure to share this episode. Of if you know someone feeling nervous about starting exercise, please share this episode with them ❤️

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more links in comments below

New episode of The Parkrunners Podcast is live today — and it couldn’t be more timely ahead of the London Marathon tomorrow.

My guest is the wonderful Priti Kaur, a 75-year-young parkrunner from Osterley parkrun whose story is one of courage, determination and joy. After first attempting the TCS London Marathon in 2023, Priti was later diagnosed with myeloma, a form of blood cancer. She is now in remission and back on the start line this weekend, determined to finish what she started and claim the medal she has dreamed of for years.

In this conversation, we talk about her love of movement, the role parkrun has played in rebuilding her strength, and the mindset that keeps her smiling and moving forward.

It’s a beautiful story of grit, resilience and abundant positivity — and I hope it inspires many others.

Listen now - link in comments below where you can also show Priti some love and give her a cheer as she takes on London Marathon tomorrow. 💛

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 recording this month with the first Japan parkrun guest on the Parkrunners Podcast - stay tuned 🎉

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 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.