Parkrunners Podcast

This week on The Parkrunners Podcast host, Catherine Stenson, is joined by Tasha Thompson – NHS professional, marathoner, community builder and founder of Black Girls Do Run UK . What started as Tasha’s personal love for lacing up her trainers has grown into a mission to make running more inclusive, joyful, and empowering for everyone. A chance encounter with a marshal opened her eyes to how under...

This week on the Parkrunners Podcast, we meet Alex Mann—a passionate parkrunner and proud Dad—and his energetic 4-year-old son Isaac, who’s already chasing PBs (personal bests) at Junior parkrun in Hove ! With a £1 reward from Mum, Dad, Nanny & Grandad for every new personal best, Isaac’s motivation is sky-high. But it’s not just about the numbers—Alex turns each Sunday 2k into a mission to be...

Celia Dawson OBE is Headteacher at Cricket Green School—the SEN school that helped pilot parkrun primary , the new UK initiative twinning schools with local junior parkruns to get children more active. Celia is more than an Headteacher, she is an extraordinary and inspiring  community leader and she shares how after completing ~102 parkruns herself, she now volunteers most weekends and channels th...

This week on the Parkrunners Podcast , we meet Jan Lenton a true legend of the running world — she's a 70-year-old powerhouse who ran the very first London Marathon in 1981, when only 300 of the 7,200 runners were women. She finished in a remarkable 3:52. Today, she’s still going strong. A regular at Bromley parkrun and a proud member of Orpington Road Runners, she holds the record in her age...

Olympic Gold Medallist Shona McCallin MBE joins host, Catherine Stenson, to talk about life after professional sport — from her incredible journey with Team GB Hockey to her new chapter as U18 England hockey coach, mentor, and 'parkrun primary' ambassador.   Shona shares what fuels her passion for helping young people move more, learn from sport, and build community through parkrun . A c...

This week on the Parkrunners Podcast, we meet Darren Pead — Sydney-based entrepreneur, aviation enthusiast, and parkrun Australia’s social media and event ambassador. Darren isn’t just a parkrunner — he’s a serial alphabeteer , having completed a total of 378 parkruns at 278 different venues across 13 countries , and now closing in on his 10th full alphabet of parkrun locations. He has also comple...

What does it take to run the entire length of the Mississippi River — all 2,340 miles of it from source to sea? This week, I’m joined by Greg Nance , an American politician, ultrarunner, entrepreneur and youth mental health champion whose extraordinary feats have captured the world’s attention. Greg has already completed seven marathons on seven continents in seven days , smashed Fastest Known Tim...

This week on the Parkrunners Podcast , we meet Olwyn Dunne, mum of 3 boys — is a Dublin-based powerhouse with a seriously impressive parkrun journey. With over 220 parkruns, 267 volunteer stints, and 65 marathons under her belt, Olwyn has spent more than a decade building community, championing inclusion, and literally saving lives. In her role as parkrun Ambassador for over 7 years, she helped la...

Join us as we dive into the fascinating journey of John Altman , famously known as 'Nasty Nick Cotton' from EastEnders . After captivating audiences for nearly 30 years as a soap opera villain, John has embraced a new passion: parkrun . Discover how this iconic TV bad boy transformed into a dedicated parkrun lover and volunteer, sharing his love for fitness and community. Tune in to hear...

In this episode, Catherine sits down with Gorey parkrun legend Gary Doyle , who recently celebrated a rare double milestone: 200 parkruns and 200 volunteer stints — on the same day . From barcode scanning to run directing, Gary’s commitment to community is matched only by his love of Oasis and his ever-expanding collection of running shoes! We explore how a newspaper article (and a nudge from his...

From the very home of parkrun at Bushy Park in the UK, Carol and Jonathan have tirelessly dedicated themselves as serial volunteers and runners, not just for the adult parkrun but also for Junior parkrun . Their commitment weekend in and weekend out embodies the spirit of volunteerism that makes parkrun a global phenomenon.   And as the global parkrun community hits its 1 millionth individual volu...

Since the 5th ever parkrun in 2004, Pat McGrath has been lacing up—and lifting up—his community. With over 700 runs, 180+ volunteer stints, and nearly two decades coordinating 70+ helpers every Saturday at Bushy Park in the UK, Pat’s story is a masterclass in commitment, kindness, and the quiet power of showing up. Send us Fan Mail Thank you for tuning in. It's been great to have you here.. I...

Minreet Kaur , an award-winning UK journalist , had never considered herself a runner. But during lockdown, she found an unexpected passion for the sport that changed her life. In this powerful episode, Minreet shares her parkrun journey from a self-proclaimed 'non-runner' to a community builder, and why she founded the Asian Women Run group. Discover how running became her therapy and h...

Nick Alexander's journey is a powerful testament to the transformative power of parkrun. After moving to Dublin, he found himself battling alcohol addiction and the isolation that goes with it. He shares his courageous story of how he discovered parkrun, a simple weekly timed 5k event that became the foundation for his recovery. In this moving episode, discover how a community of runners and...

Join me as I chat with Nick Blanchard , a dedicated parkrun enthusiast who has been a fixture at Bushy Park for over 15 years. Nick shares his journey from a non-runner, to runner and then to a key volunteer, offering unique insights into the community spirit and social impact of parkrun. Discover how parkrun has transformed lives (including Nick's), fostered friendships, and strengthened loc...