This week I’m joined by Mike Seaman — founder and CEO of Raccoon Media Group and the driving force behind the award-winning National Running Show. Mike’s story is a fascinating mix of community, ambition, and doing hard things: from building a major portfolio of live events for passion-led communities, to taking on some of the toughest endurance challenges out there — including 100-mile and 200-mile ultra races and fundraising as he goes for Birmingham Children's Hospital.

Though Mike is in his early stages of clocking up parkruns, he shares why parkrun still matters, what the community gets so right, and how those same principles show up in endurance sport and in business. We also go behind the scenes of the running boom, what Mike’s seeing across the sport right now, and why sustainability in live events is becoming a non-negotiable.

A warm, grounded conversation that’s as relevant if you’re a weekly parkrunner or parkwalker as it is if you’re ultra-curious about what it takes to go further than you ever thought possible.

In this episode we cover:

• Mike’s parkrun connection — and what's bringing him back
• Why people choose big challenges (and what gets you through the darkest moments)
• Lessons ultras teach that apply to everyday running and life
• What’s changing in the running world — trends, community, and participation
• Building the National Running Show and scaling a community-led events business
• Sustainability in the exhibition industry and how live events can do better

Call to action:
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow The Parkrunners Podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and share it with a friend or your running group — it helps more people discover the parkrun joy.

If you want, paste me your episode link once Buzzsprout generates it and I’ll also write 3–5 platform-ready promo captions for Instagram/Facebook/LinkedIn to match the weekend timing with the Running Show.

Send us a text

Thank you for tuning in. It's been great to have you here.. If you've enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our podcast. Stay connected with us on social media (Instagram, Facebook & LinkedIn) for updates and more inspiring parkrunners' stories. Until next time, keep running, keep smiling and keep on showing up!