A Parkrun Pilgrimage: Celebrating 20 Years of Community and Connection

On the 5th of October 2024, I had the incredible opportunity to meet one of my personal heroes, Paul Sinton-Hewitt, the founder of parkrun. It was a truly special moment that I’ll cherish forever.

My friend had visited from New Zealand, and I wanted to fulfill a long-standing promise to take her to the original parkrun venue in Bushy Park. Little did we know, we were in for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. As it turned out, our visit coincided with the 20th anniversary of parkrun!

The atmosphere was electric as we arrived. The park was bustling with almost 2000 people from all walks of life, all united by their shared love of running. Journalists were on hand to capture the historic moment, and the excitement was palpable.

Photo: Caroline James, Paul Sinton-Hewitt, Robyn Phillips, Keegan Phillips

We managed to catch a quick word with Paul, and of course, we couldn’t resist a hug and a selfie. As I listened to people thanking him for changing their lives, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of gratitude myself.

Parkrun has been a transformative experience for my family and me. I started running in 2014 after completing a beginners’ course and discovered Richmond parkrun as the perfect way to test my progress. My son joined me a few months later, followed by my husband and daughter.

Thanks to parkrun, we’ve not only become fitter and stronger but have also inspired friends to join and created unforgettable memories. Our Christmas tradition now includes a 9am parkrun before opening presents.

I’m eternally grateful to Paul and the parkrun community for the positive impact it has had on our lives. It’s a testament to the power of community, connection, and the joy of movement.

If you’re looking for a way to improve your health, connect with others, and have a blast, I highly recommend joining your local parkrun. You can volunteer, walk, jog or run. And it’s completely free to attend. It’s a fantastic opportunity to challenge yourself, celebrate your achievements, and discover the incredible benefits of movement.

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