After a short pause (and a few behind-the-scenes technical podcasting hurdles!), I’m so excited to be back with a truly global parkrun story — and this one is worth the wait.

This week, I’m joined by Sue from South Africa, whose parkrun journey didn’t exactly start with love at first run…

In fact, Sue was a very reluctant parkrunner at the beginning.

But everything changed when she and her husband took a gap year travelling across APAC — including Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia — and discovered a whole new side to parkrun:
> community
> connection
> and a growing obsession with parkrun tourism and challenges

Fast forward to today, and Sue has:
🏃‍♀️ Completed 334 parkruns
🌍 Visited 300 different parkrun locations
🙌 Volunteered 167 times across 165 venues

In this episode, we explore:

• How parkrun can go from “not for me” to a life-changing habit
• The magic of parkrun tourism across continents
• The role of community when travelling the world
• Why volunteering becomes just as meaningful as running
• And what keeps Sue coming back week after week, location after location

This is a story about transformation, adventure, and the unexpected joy of saying “yes” to something new.

If you’ve ever been curious about parkrun — or needed a little nudge to try a new event — this episode might just be it.

🎧 Tune in and join us on this global parkrun journey.

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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!

What starts as a simple Saturday-morning 5k can grow into a life of community-building, adventure… and purpose.

In this episode of The Parkrunners Podcast, I’m joined by the remarkable Chris Seymour — co-founder of parkrun New Zealand and the founder of Queenstown parkrun (my personal favourite parkrun outside of Bushy Park!). Chris is also one of a tiny group** worldwide to complete the legendary Marathon Grand Slam — including running a marathon at the North Pole and in Antarctica.

But this isn’t just a story about extraordinary start lines. It’s about how parkrun creates belonging, how community fuels resilience, and how running can become a powerful force for good — including Chris’s charitable mission Run Over MLD, inspired by his great-niece Cori.

In this conversation, you’ll hear:

• How parkrun captured Chris’s heart — and why he helped grow it in New Zealand
• The story behind launching Queenstown parkrun and what makes it so special
• What it’s really like to run at the North Pole and in Antarctica
• The mindset behind big goals — and the quiet power of simply showing up
• How Chris has used running to raise awareness and funds through Run Over MLD

🎧 Listen now, and if this episode resonates, please follow/subscribe and share it with a parkrunner (or future parkrunner) who needs a lift today.

** 192 athletes worldwide who have conquered marathons on 7 continents + the North Pole Marathon®

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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!

In this episode of The Parkrunners Podcast, Catherine Stenson chats with Tom Sharples (@tom_tries_running), who went from never running to finishing the London Marathon after a work colleague dared him to enter the ballot — and he surprisingly got a place first time.

After crossing that finish line, Tom wanted to keep the running habit going… and that’s when he discovered parkrun. Starting at Hampstead Heath , Tom found the routine, community and mental reset he’d been looking for — and what began as a simple Saturday habit “accidentally” turned into a huge challenge: completing all 66 parkrun events across London and Greater London.

Together they talk about community, confidence, and why running can be such a powerful boost for mental fitness — especially for young men — as well as Tom’s mission to help more people simply try running, without pressure or perfection.

In this episode we cover:

• From non-runner to London Marathon finisher (first ballot attempt!)
• How to maintain the running habit after a big goal - discover parkrun!
• Discovering parkrun at Hampstead Heath — and why it stuck
• The London/Greater London Challenge: completing all 66 venues
• Simple tips for new runners (and why volunteering is a great way to start)

Sound bites:

• “If you run, you’re a runner.”
• “Parkrun is for everyone.”

Find Tom on Instagram: @tom_tries_running

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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!