Parkrunners Podcast
Parkrunners Podcast shares real stories from the global parkrun community—runners, walkers, and volunteers whose lives have been transformed by movement and connection. Hosted by Catherine Stenson, each episode celebrates courage, belonging, and the quiet power of showing up.
Episodes
15 episodes
Tasha Thompson: Making Space, Sparking Change
This week on The Parkrunners Podcast host, Catherine Stenson, is joined by Tasha Thompson – NHS professional, marathoner, community builder and founder of...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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28:53
From Pushchair to PBs: A Dad & Son’s Parkrun Bond - Alex & Isaac Mann
This week on the Parkrunners Podcast, we meet Alex Mann—a passionate parkrunner and proud Dad—and his energetic 4-year-old son Isaac, who’s already chasing PBs (personal bests) at Junior pa...
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24:46
Celia Dawson OBE: The Headteacher Powering Parkrun Primary
Celia Dawson OBE is Headteacher at Cricket Green School—the SEN school that helped pilot parkrun primary, the new...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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25:24
Jan Lenton: 70 & Still Flying - From the First London Marathon to 50 Parkrun firsts!
This week on the Parkrunners Podcast, we meet Jan Lenton a true legend of the running world — she's a 70-year-old powerhouse who ran the very first London Marathon in 1...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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22:44
From Olympic Gold to Giving Back: Shona McCallin’s Next Chapter with parkrun
Olympic Gold Medallist Shona McCallin MBE joins host, Catherine Stenson, to talk about life after professional sport — from her incredible journey with Team GB Hockey to her new chapter...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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39:57
Passports, Parkrun, Purpose: Darren Pead’s Global Alphabet Adventure
This week on the Parkrunners Podcast, we meet Darren Pead — Sydney-based entrepreneur, aviation enthusiast, and parkrun Australia’s social media and event ambassador. Darren isn’t just a parkrunner — he’s a serial alphabeteer, h...
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28:00
Greg Nance’s 'Run Far Story' - From Rock Bottom to River Miles!
What does it take to run the entire length of the Mississippi River — all 2,340 miles of it from source to sea? This week, I’m joined by Greg Nance, an American politician, ultrarunner, entrepre...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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41:44
Olwyn Dunne: , Running Powerhouse, Building Community, Beating the Odds
This week on the Parkrunners Podcast, we meet Olwyn Dunne, mum of 3 boys — is a Dublin-based powerhouse with a seriously impressive parkrun journey. With over 220 parkruns, 267 volunteer stints, and 65 marathons under her belt, Ol...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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28:34
John Altman - 🎭 From soap villain to parkrun hero!
Join us as we dive into the fascinating journey of John Altman, famously known as 'Nasty Nick Cotton' from EastEnders. After captivating audiences f...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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32:03
"Wonderwall of Achievements: Gary Doyle's Double Century Celebration"
In this episode, Catherine sits down with Gorey parkrun legend Gary Doyle, who recently celebrated a rare double milestone: 200 parkruns and 200 volunteer stints — on the same day. From barcode scanning to run directing, Gary’s co...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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27:57
Carol & Jonathan Dickinson: 18-year running and volunteering legends at Bushy Park!
From the very home of parkrun at Bushy Park in the UK, Carol and Jonathan have tirelessly dedicated themselves as serial volunteers and runners, not just for the adult parkrun but also for Junior parkrun. Their com...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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28:11
Pat McGrath: 700 parkruns, 20 years, One Community Heartbeat
Since the 5th ever parkrun in 2004, Pat McGrath has been lacing up—and lifting up—his community. With over 700 runs, 180+ volunteer stints, and nearly two decades coordinating 70+ helpers every Saturday at Bushy Park in the UK, Pat’s story is a...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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24:34
Nick Alexander: Running to Recovery
Nick Alexander's journey is a powerful testament to the transformative power of parkrun. After moving to Dublin, he found himself battling alcohol addiction and the isolation that goes with it. He shares his courageous story of how he discovere...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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35:36
Minreet Kaur: The Journalist Who Found Her Run
Minreet Kaur, an award-winning UK journalist, had never considered herself a runner. But during lockdown, she found an unexpected passion for the sport that changed her life. In this powerful episode, Minreet shares her parkrun ...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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23:12
Nick Blanchard: The Funnel of Love at Bushy!
Join me as I chat with Nick Blanchard, a dedicated parkrun enthusiast who has been a fixture at Bushy Park for over 15 years. Nick shares his journey from a non-runner, to runner and then to a key volunteer, offering unique insights into...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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27:37