The parkrun Story: Personal Struggle to Global Movement

The parkrun Story: Personal Struggle to Global Movement

From 13 runners in Bushy Park to more than 2,500 events across 23 countries and millions of lives changed, Paul Sinton-Hewitt's story is one of the most remarkable in modern sport and community building. In this special episode of *Masters on the Move*, Justin Hill sits down with the founder of parkrun to explore the journey behind a movement that has transformed Saturday mornings around the world. Paul shares the adversity and trauma that shaped his life, how running helped him navigate mental health challenges, and the extraordinary series of events that led to the first Bushy Park Time Trial in 2004. He reveals the philosophy that keeps parkrun free, inclusive and volunteer-driven, reflects on milestones including the one millionth parkrun event and the first 1,000 parkrunner, and celebrates the incredible volunteers who make it all possible. They also discuss: • Paul's early life and the experiences that shaped his values • How running became a powerful tool for mental wellbeing • The injury that unexpectedly led to the creation of parkrun • Why parkrun was designed to be free and held every week • The story behind the name "parkrun" and the famous lowercase lettering • The evolution of results emails and milestone shirts • The importance of volunteers and community connection • Bruce Fordyce's influence on parkrun in South Africa • The growth of parkrun in New Zealand • How communities can start their own parkrun • Paul's advice for living a meaningful and connected life Whether you're a runner, walker, volunteer, or someone searching for belonging and purpose, this conversation is a powerful reminder that one small step can change everything. 📖 Paul's book: *One Small Step* 🌍 Are you part of the parkrun community? Share your parkrun story in the comments and let us know where you join your local event. 👍 If you enjoyed this conversation, please like, subscribe and share the episode to help more people discover the inspiring stories of Masters on the Move. #MastersOnTheMove #parkrun #PaulSintonHewitt #RunningCommunity #Volunteering #MentalHealth #BruceFordyce #NewZealandparkrun #RunningPodcast #HealthyAging 00:00 The Extraordinary Beginning 03:36 Childhood Trauma and Its Impact 06:44 The Role of Running in Mental Health 12:16 Lessons from Adversity 14:15 The Birth of Parkrun 24:45 Gaining Structure and Permission 29:32 The Evolution of Results and Communication 34:34 Rebranding to Parkrun 37:36 The Evolution of Parkrun's Identity 39:00 Milestones and Community Impact 45:53 The Role of Volunteers in Parkrun 56:38 Encouraging Participation and Inclusivity 01:00:07 Reflections on Personal Connections and Legacy Get in contact and follow us - Send in your questions, show suggestions and comments (good or bad) to: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/17EN4yrAqp/?mibextid=wwXIfr [https://www.facebook.com/share/17EN4yrAqp/?mibextid=wwXIfr] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/motmpod?igsh=MW8yamF4cHBkZWpxZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr [https://www.instagram.com/motmpod?igsh=MW8yamF4cHBkZWpxZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr] email justinhillcoach@gmail.com [justinhillcoach@gmail.com] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Lessons From a Lifetime of Running

Northland running legend Jim Kettlewell joins the podcast to share the lessons from a lifetime of running. From humble beginnings to winning an XTERRA Trail Running World Championship title at the age of 66, Jim reflects on the training, mindset and consistency that shaped his remarkable journey. We also explore his leadership with Hātea Harriers, the story behind Whangārei parkrun, how running has changed from the days before GPS watches and carbon shoes, and his advice for staying active for life. This is a conversation about longevity, community and the enduring power of running. SECURE FREE TICKETS HERE: https://events.humanitix.com/bruce-fordyce-comrades-and-parkrun-talk Get in contact and follow us - Send in your questions, show suggestions and comments (good or bad) to: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/17EN4yrAqp/?mibextid=wwXIfr [https://www.facebook.com/share/17EN4yrAqp/?mibextid=wwXIfr] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/motmpod?igsh=MW8yamF4cHBkZWpxZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr [https://www.instagram.com/motmpod?igsh=MW8yamF4cHBkZWpxZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr] email justinhillcoach@gmail.com [justinhillcoach@gmail.com] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Comrades: The Ultimate Test, Raw Grit, Comaraderie

What is the absolute limit of human endurance as we age? 🏃‍♂️💨 In this episode of Masters on the Move, we are stripping away the myths of aging and diving deep into the raw grit, storied history, and unbreakable community spirit of the world’s oldest and largest ultra marathon: The Comrades Marathon. From the harrowing World War I trenches where its foundation of Ubuntu was born, to modern-day masters athletes completely redefining what is biologically possible after 40, 50, and 80—this is the ultimate motivation for anyone out running their local 5k parkrun or training for their next major milestone. We break down the mind-boggling pacing strategies of the oldest elite winner in history, and celebrate the incredible, ongoing legacy of 83-year-old Johannes Maros Mosehla, who proved to the world that age is nothing but a number on a bib. 🎟️ LIVE NZ EVENT: MEET BRUCE FORDYCE! (AUGUST 14th) We are bringing the king of Comrades himself, 9-time winner Bruce Fordyce, right here to New Zealand to speak and join us at parkrun!  Tickets: COMPLETELY FREE (But registration is essential!)  When: August 14, 2026  Where: Whangārei, NZ  Secure Your Tickets Here: https://events.humanitix.com/bruce-fordyce-comrades-and-parkrun-talk 🎁 ENTER THE BOOK GIVEAWAY! We are giving away a free copy of Bruce's legendary book, The Winged Messenger! The winner will collect it on the night, meet Bruce in person, get it signed, and grab a photo.  HOW TO ENTER: Watch the episode to find the answer to the trivia question below, and drop your answer in the comments!  TRIVIA QUESTION: According to today's video, how old was Johannes Mosehla and his official finish time when he extended his record as the oldest finisher in 2025? (Note: If you want to secure a copy regardless, you can pre-order additional copies for just $29 NZD when booking your free tickets at the link above!) A massive thank you to our incredible local sponsors who made this zero-cost community event possible:  ⛰️ Trek Trail & Fish & Stride Performance (Lucky-draw attendee giveaways!)  🛏️ Parkhill Fine Accommodation (Providing Bruce's stunning stay overlooking the Town Basin)  🍯 NZ Fudge Farm (For the special gift arrangements)  ...and all of our private sponsors covering travel and venue costs! 00:00 The Absolute Limit of Human Endurance 00:43 New Zealand Bruce Fordyce Event and Giveaway 03:27 The Brutal History of Comrades 05:31 The Oldest Winnwers and Finishers 09:09 Comrade Spirit at parkrun Get in contact and follow us - Send in your questions, show suggestions and comments (good or bad) to: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/17EN4yrAqp/?mibextid=wwXIfr [https://www.facebook.com/share/17EN4yrAqp/?mibextid=wwXIfr] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/motmpod?igsh=MW8yamF4cHBkZWpxZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr [https://www.instagram.com/motmpod?igsh=MW8yamF4cHBkZWpxZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr] email justinhillcoach@gmail.com [justinhillcoach@gmail.com] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The untold stories of ultra running’s toughest era

In this episode of Masters on the Move, we sit down with David Levick, one of the outstanding endurance athletes of the golden era of ultra running. Long before carbon shoes, GPS watches, and modern sports science, David was producing remarkable performances in some of the world's toughest races. From a stunning 5:39 Comrades Marathon Down Run in 1973 to racing internationally in events such as London to Brighton and New Zealand's Kepler Challenge, David's running career spans a fascinating period in endurance sport history. But the story doesn't end there. David also shares insights from his cycling adventures, including the epic Tour Aotearoa, proving that the spirit of endurance and adventure doesn't disappear with age. In this conversation we explore: • The golden era of Comrades Marathon • What ultra running was really like in the 1970s • Overseas ultras and international racing experiences • Mental toughness before modern technology • Tour Aotearoa and endurance cycling • Lessons that today's runners can learn from the pioneers of the sport • Bruce Fordyce's impact on endurance running and his upcoming New Zealand visit This is a fascinating journey through Comrades, overseas ultras, Tour Aotearoa, and stories from one of endurance sport's toughest eras. If you enjoy endurance sport history, running, cycling, Comrades Marathon, ultramarathons, and inspiring stories of resilience, this episode is for you. Get in contact and follow us - Send in your questions, show suggestions and comments (good or bad) to: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/17EN4yrAqp/?mibextid=wwXIfr [https://www.facebook.com/share/17EN4yrAqp/?mibextid=wwXIfr] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/motmpod?igsh=MW8yamF4cHBkZWpxZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr [https://www.instagram.com/motmpod?igsh=MW8yamF4cHBkZWpxZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr] email justinhillcoach@gmail.com [justinhillcoach@gmail.com] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

NZ parkrun Pioneers

Every Saturday morning at 8am, thousands of New Zealanders gather in parks across the country for a shared ritual—parkrun. But this global phenomenon didn’t just appear overnight. In this episode, host Justin Hill is joined by parkrun New Zealand pioneers Lian and Noel de Charmoy, who helped bring the concept from the UK to Aotearoa in 2012. What began as a leap of faith—starting with a single event in Lower Hutt—has grown into a nationwide movement spanning 72 events and over 155,000 registered participants. They share: How their friendship with Paul Sinton-Hewitt led to parkrun arriving in New Zealand The early challenges (and surprising ease) of launching events Why “free forever” and inclusivity became the foundation of success Stories of connection, community, and even weddings born at parkrun The powerful role of volunteers in sustaining the movement The episode also explores their connection to running legend Bruce Fordyce and the wider global running culture that shaped parkrun’s philosophy. This is a story about more than running—it’s about belonging, accessibility, and the power of community to change lives. Photo & Video Credits: With heartfelt thanks to the incredible parkrun photographers and camera operators across New Zealand and beyond, whose generosity and talent help capture the spirit of parkrun every week. 📖 Paul Sinton-Hewitt – One Small Step https://books.apple.com/nz/book/one-small-step/id6744083500?utm_source=chatgpt.com 📘 Bruce Fordyce – Winged Messenger https://www.amazon.com.au/Winged-Messenger-Running-Comrades-Marathon/dp/1776056817/ref=asc_df_1776056817?mcid=222404a3e0903c4b8b57fba7433b3952&language=en_AU&tag=nzgoshpadsp-22&linkCode=df0&hvadid=725041153858&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=844406988357412464&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9121802&hvtargid=pla-1131917420820&psc=1&language=en_AU&gad_source=4 🏃 Find Your Local Parkrun (NZ) https://www.nzrunning.co.nz/run-clubs/parkrun-new-zealand? 🌍 Official Parkrun Website https://www.parkrun.com/ ⏱️ Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 – The Saturday Ritual Begins The rise of parkrun as a Kiwi weekend tradition 01:05 – Meeting the Pioneers Introduction to Lian and Noel de Charmoy 01:18 – First Encounter with Parkrun Discovering the original Bushy Park time trial 02:29 – A Friendship That Sparked a Movement Connection with Paul Sinton-Hewitt 03:30 – The Leap of Faith Why they said yes to bringing parkrun to New Zealand 04:05 – The First Event in Lower Hutt Partnering with Richard McChesney 05:10 – Building Cornwall Parkrun Launching Auckland’s first event 05:26 – Early Challenges & Lessons Admin struggles, logistics, and learning on the fly 06:30 – The First Turnout Memories from the early Cornwall Park days 07:19 – The Power of Community Coffee, connection, and friendships 07:44 – Overcoming Barriers Working with councils and keeping it simple 08:47 – “Free Forever” Explained Why accessibility is the foundation of parkrun 09:28 – Not a Race Redefining running as inclusive and welcoming 10:51 – When It Took Off The moment growth became exponential 11:55 – Scaling Nationwide From a handful of events to 72 across NZ 12:39 – Volunteers: The Heart of Parkrun Why the model works 13:41 – Beyond Fitness Mental health, belonging, and life-changing stories 14:13 – Community Stories From friendships to weddings 15:25 – Parkrun Culture vs Traditional Events Why it feels different 18:11 – The Oldest Parkrunner Inspiration from Colin Thorne 19:34 – Inclusivity at the Core Walk, jog, run—everyone welcome 21:14 – Enter Bruce Fordyce Connection to Bruce Fordyce 24:28 – A Running Legend Explained Why Bruce’s achievements matter 27:44 – Bruce’s Visit to New Zealand What to expect and why it matters 30:13 – Parkrun Tourism & Gamification Collecting flags and global participation 31:00 – Looking Back with Pride Reflections on building a movement 32:01 – The Future of Parkrun NZ Vision for the next decade 32:40 – Message to First-Timers “Just come along and have a go” 33:21 – Closing Thoughts Why parkrun means more than just a run Get in contact and follow us - Send in your questions, show suggestions and comments (good or bad) to: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/17EN4yrAqp/?mibextid=wwXIfr [https://www.facebook.com/share/17EN4yrAqp/?mibextid=wwXIfr] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/motmpod?igsh=MW8yamF4cHBkZWpxZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr [https://www.instagram.com/motmpod?igsh=MW8yamF4cHBkZWpxZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr] email justinhillcoach@gmail.com [justinhillcoach@gmail.com] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.