Parkrunners Podcast

What does it take to turn a Saturday morning idea into a movement that half a million Australians now call part of their weekly routine?

In this episode, Catherine sits down with Tim Oberg, the founder of parkrun Australia, for a warm, candid and often surprising look back at how it all began, including the true story of how a rescued street dog from Montenegro named Clarence was the reason Tim discovered parkrun in the first place ...

What happens when an ordinary Saturday morning at parkrun suddenly becomes a matter of life and death?

Dr Wendy White is an NHS GP, passionate Bushy parkrunner and self-confessed former non-runner who once hid in the bushes during school cross-country.

Today, she has more than 300 parkruns behind her, has completed a 54K ultramarathon and describes parkrun as her “church”.

But in 2022, Wendy was waiting among around 1,500 ...

What happens when parkrun becomes more than a Saturday morning habit and grows into a family legacy spanning three generations?

In this warm and uplifting episode, Catherine is joined by Sonya Byers OBE, a parkrun trustee, dedicated volunteer and CEO of Women in Transport.

Sonya’s own parkrun journey began through volunteering at junior parkrun before she finally took on her first 5K in Kraków, Poland, in temperatures of minus ...

We all want to live longer. But perhaps the better question is... how do we live better?

This week on the Parkrunners Podcast, Catherine is joined by Tim Howe, founder of The Longevity Games, former parkrun Run Director, passionate volunteer, and someone who believes that healthy ageing isn't about expensive gadgets or miracle supplements—it's about movement, community and purpose.

With 235 parkruns, 122 volunteer credits and y...

For more than three decades, Lisa Millar has been one of Australia's most respected journalists and broadcasters. 

From reporting around the world as ABC's Bureau Chief in Washington and London, to becoming a familiar face through ABC News Breakfast, Back Roads and Muster Dogs, Lisa has spent her career telling other people's stories.

But on Saturday mornings, none of those titles matter.

Like thousands of others, Lisa is simply ...

This week I’m thrilled to welcome my very first parkrun Japan guest — Akihiro Matsuda — whose beautiful mantra is:

“parkrun exists in every place I call home.”

Akihiro’s parkrun story spans Singapore and Japan, and it’s packed with warmth, community-building and quietly brilliant leadership. We begin with his early parkrun days at East Coast Park parkrun (Singapore), and follow his journey ba...

This week on the Parkrunners Podcast, Catherine Stenson is joined by one of the UK’s most recognisable broadcasters — but also one of the parkrun community’s most inspiring runners — Sophie Raworth.

Many people know Sophie as a trusted BBC News presenter, but away from the newsroom she has quietly built an extraordinary running journey that began in her 40s and continues to redefine what’s possible in l...

Chaarlee Eastmond never thought running was for people like him.

Growing up overweight and struggling with confidence, food, and identity, Chaarlee eventually reached a serious health crossroads at 28 stone and pre-diabetes. Following the end of a toxic relationship, he made the difficult decision to undergo gastric sleeve surgery — not to become a runner, but to save his life.

What happened next began with something much small...

In this heartwarming episode of The Parkrunners Podcast, I’m joined by Christine Wilsonand her 13-year-old daughter Layla from The parkrun family — a lovely grassroots story of Saturday mornings, milestones, parkrun tourism, shared memories Together, Christine, Layla, Steve (Dad) and Chloe (10yrs) have completed an incredible 983 parkruns — just shy of the 1,000 mark. But this episode is about much more than numbe...

In this uplifting episode of The Parkrunners Podcast, I’m joined by the wonderful Priti Kaur — a 75-years-young parkrunner from Osterley parkrun whose story is full of grit, resilience and abundant positivity.

Priti is taking on the London Marathon for the second time, determined to cross the finish line and finally earn the medal she has dreamed of for so long. After first attempting the race in 2023, she was later diag...

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...

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 G...

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,...

This week on The Parkrunners Podcast, I’m joined by the one and only Commeletia — and yes, she genuinely believes she may be the only Commeletia in the UK (possibly the world), which has earned her the affectionate nickname: “Señorita Commeletia.”

Commeletia is a phenomenal parkrun tourist — a true all-rounder who runs, walks, volunteers, and travels with purpose. She’s also a serious challenge-ch...

What if your Saturday morning 5k didn’t just change your fitness… but changed your whole life?

In this Valentine’s Day Special Edition of The Parkrunners Podcast, I’m joined by James & Lynne Donaldson — whose relationship has been beautifully shaped by Cusworth Hall parkrun. From dating, to getting engaged, to an unforgettable moment that still makes me smile… they even spent their wedding d...

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 ra...

What starts as a holiday curiosity can turn into a global Saturday-morning habit.

This week I’m joined by Marcia Dubbelaar — my first Dutch guest — who  discovered parkrun while travelling in South Africa and went on to become a passionate parkrun tourist and volunteer. Marcia has now completed all 27 Dutch parkruns twice (the “Double Dutch” challenge), and she’s collected stories, friendship...

What if your healthiest future didn’t start with a grand plan — but with one small Saturday habit?

In this episode of The Parkrunners Podcast, host Catherine Stenson is joined by Dr Hussain Al-Zubaidi — GP, TV doctor, health coach, passionate parkrunner… and now a Team GB triathlete. Hussain shares his powerful story of transformation, from a once-sedentary lifestyle to elite-level sport, and how parkrun bec...

New Year’s Day Special 🎧
This week on The Parkrunners Podcast, I’m joined by my extra special guest Dame Kelly Holmes — double Olympic gold medallist, passionate parkrunner, and a powerful voice for honesty around mental health.

In this episode, Kelly shares the human side of high performance: the pressure that can sit behind achievement, what it takes to rebuild confidence, and why movement and community...