At 75, Sarah’s still lacing up every Saturday — and she’s been doing it since the very first Weymouth parkrun back in 2013.

In this chat, she talks about:
How her daughter inspired her to start running
The community spirit that keeps her coming back
Why she loves the seaside course (except when it’s windy)
What’s still on her 2013 iPod
And why her husband’s is part of parkrun legend at The Pineapple

This episode is a reminder that running isn’t about PBs — it’s about people, persistence, and turning up.

It was one of the windiest interviews I’ve ever recorded — but Jillian wasn’t fazed. She’s the kind of runner who keeps showing up, whatever the weather.

In this episode, we talk about running when she was younger, taking a long break and returning in her 50's. We discuss motivation, some tragedy and why not every run needs to be a race.
It’s an honest, grounded chat with someone who runs for all the right reasons — no ego, no drama, just love of the sport.

In this episode of The Pace Invader, Daniel sits down with Les — a 73-year-old runner, swimmer, cyclist, and lifelong advocate for keeping active. From his lightning-fast army days to his current role in Egdon Heath Harriers in Weymouth, Les’s story is a testament to what a lifetime of movement can bring.

We talk about the joy of Parkrun (even when you forget to stop the watch), the transition from sea swims to pool training after developing an exercise-induced heart condition, and how cycling and e-bikes now add variety to his routine. Les reflects on the marathons he once ran with ease, the importance of adapting to your body’s changes, and why joining a running club is the single best piece of advice he can give to newcomers.

Above all, this is a story about resilience, community, and the lifelong rewards of simply keeping moving.

Jenny doesn’t run for medals or times — she runs to heal.

In this episode of The Pace Invader, I talk with Jenny, a Weymouth-based runner originally from Thailand, whose journey into running began in 2017 as a way to fight depression without medication. What started as a personal therapy has become her way of finding peace, freedom, and strength.

Jenny opens up about:

• How running became her “medicine” after years of domestic abuse and mental health struggles.
• Why each run feels like meditation and freedom, even on busy roads.
• Her proudest achievement so far: completing 25K at the Jurassic Outdoor Challenge.
• Balancing goals like chasing a sub-30 parkrun with simply “just keeping her legs going.”
• How she now gives back by volunteering to support other Thai women in the UK facing mental health and domestic abuse issues.

Jenny’s story is one of quiet strength, resilience, and hope.

Not everyone loves running for the running itself — and that’s okay.

This week on The Pace Invader, I speak with Matt, a Weymouth runner who describes his parkruns as “40 minutes of pain” that he doesn’t exactly enjoy. But what he does enjoy — and what keeps him coming back — is the community, the friendships, and the boost to his mental health.

Matt shares:

How signing up for Race for Life in memory of his parents kick-started his running.
Why the first parkrun will always mean the most to him.
The role running plays in his mental wellbeing.
How running with family and seeing his sister-in-law thrive has inspired him.
This is a story about connection, resilience, and finding joy beyond the stopwatch.

We discuss a few other podcasts such as
Off Menu - https://open.spotify.com/show/0azMejb7zrmAqctVsUSAdq?si=eba1e2cdeedf43a2
Five Brilliant Things - https://open.spotify.com/show/1iK5KBPvzHA8AjvRfZhrUP?si=75866c6bc7264af6
Strangers on a Bench - https://open.spotify.com/show/5stjSreUX9Y9iUYv0KSxBH?si=e98e9a626655490d
The Dollop - https://open.spotify.com/show/3m9c2ibJOYiigvVuswYSgU?si=112e022edffd433e

Running since 1980, today’s guest has completed 126 marathons and 44 Ironmans across 22 countries, including two starts at the Ironman World Championships in Kona. He ran the first London Marathon in 1981 and is aiming to return for the 50th anniversary in 2031.

We had a chat after Dunstable Downs Parkrun and in this episode, we cover four decades of running: how marathons felt in the days before technology, the pride of competing shoulder to shoulder with athletes like Hugh Jones, the importance of setting new challenges, and what keeps him coming back year after year.

We also dive into the mental game of endurance: why resilience often matters more than speed, how to push past the wall, and the lessons he’s learned about motivation, community, and finding balance through sport.

This is an inspiring, wide-ranging conversation with someone who has seen running evolve over generations — and who still has unfinished business on the start line.

You can find him on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ironmate_coaching/

Tom’s only five parkruns in — but he’s already hooked. What started as a way to prepare for Hi-Rox has turned into chasing personal bests, early-morning 5Ks, and testing himself against friends in the gym.

In this conversation, we talk about the buzz of parkrun, the role of competition in training, why running is so powerful for mental health, and how nutrition, supplements, and even Netflix documentaries have influenced his approach.

Whether you’re brand new to running or chasing your next milestone, Tom’s story shows what happens when you just get out and give it a go.

Richard has been running for over 20 years, ever since training for a Kilimanjaro trek led him to charity 10Ks and then marathons, ultras, and orienteering adventures. In this conversation, we cover his proudest races, the mental tricks he uses to keep going, the balance between running solo and with others, and why focus is his superpower.

Whether it’s beating the clock, navigating unknown terrain, or racing a boat along the Thames, Richard proves that endurance is as much a mental game as a physical one.