September 9, 2019
Jessica’s parkrun Heroes included the story of Gareth Yeoman. It was an episode that resonated with me as Gareth has battled with his weight for many years. parkrun and other forms of exercise have transformed his life. Welshman Gareth had struggled with his weight since his teens. He’d heard the Read more…
August 28, 2019
I’ve wanted to do the St Ives Bay 10k for a long time. It takes place pretty much on my mum’s doorstep, with the start being on the beach. I knew I would be in Cornwall when it’s on this year, so I entered. The race is organised by Hayle Read more…
August 26, 2019
Kirsty Morley, one of Jessica’s parkrun Heroes, provides this week’s Monday Morning Motivation. This is the powerful story of a Warrington single mum, who learned to run – from ‘lamp post-to-lamp post’ – to support her little boy Teddy at junior parkrun. It’s also the empowering story of her struggle Read more…
August 12, 2019
This week’s inspiration is courtesy of Rosy Ryan, a parkrunner with pancreatic cancer. Rosy’s story was featured on Jessica’s parkrun Heroes. Belfast based, Irish-American Rosy, is a barrister who’s full of infectious enthusiasm for parkrun and for life. She oozes positivity and a ‘can-do’ spirit. Yet behind Rosy’s smiley demeanour Read more…
July 29, 2019
Originally, I had intended to visit Yeovil Montacute parkrun (or another event between Hampshire and Cornwall, such as Blandford or Henstridge Airfield) this weekend. However, some unfortunate planning means I have to be in London on Friday. I was intending to spend the week in Cornwall on holiday with my Read more…
Today’s inspiration is Buggsie Heath-Brown, a parkrunner with breast cancer. An episode of Jessica’s parkrun Heroes focuses on Buggsie’s story. Buggsie Heath-Brown is a larger-than-life character who loves her local Gladstone park. If she’s not appearing in disguise then she’s encouraging new parkrunners. But she is also hiding a secret Read more…
July 22, 2019
Today’s motivation comes courtesy of Rajpaul Pannu. At 15, he weighed nearly 200lbs (over 14 stone or 90kg). He ate unhealthily. His father passed away from a heart attack at 40, so he knew he needed to change his life. Pannu took up running and after a 2:17 debut marathon Read more…
July 20, 2019
Today was an arbitrary milestone for me as it was my 300th parkrun. Southampton parkrun was cancelled, so Stu and I agreed to do some parkrun tourism to Salisbury parkrun with our friends Rachel and Phil and their children. We’d chosen Salisbury parkrun for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it Read more…
July 15, 2019
This week’s Monday Morning Motivation is another episode of Jess’s parkrun Heroes. The star of the episode is John Butcher. John is a veteran runner setting records into his late eighties. Together with friends Colin and Snowy this ‘Last of the Summer Wine’ running crew tour in search of new Read more…
July 13, 2019
Continuing with our parkrun tourism this year, Stuart and I decided to go to Portsmouth Lakeside parkrun. This was my NENDY (nearest event not done yet). If you’re not sure where the nearest event is that you haven’t already run, visit the parkrun Tourist Tool. What’s the course like? I Read more…
