Akihiro Matsuda (Japan) -parkrun in every place I call home!

Akihiro Matsuda (Japan) -parkrun in every place I call home!

This week I’m thrilled to welcome my very first parkrun Japan [https://www.parkrun.jp/events/#geo=2.67/35.59/134.38] 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 back to Japan where he helped bring parkrun to life close to home — launching Gongendo 2gou Kouen parkrun (GGD2) [https://www.instagram.com/gongendo_2gou_kouen_parkrun/] and building an event culture based on belonging, friendship, and shared responsibility. We also chat about Akihiro’s recent experience supporting the launch of a brand-new event in Toyama — Fuganunga Kansuikouen parkrun (FKK) — and two powerful “connection moments” that show just how deeply parkrun can weave into our personal history and sense of place. And there’s a standout section where Akihiro shares his simple, memorable view of “parkrun and happiness” — and how Saturday mornings can help unlock the feel-good chemistry that keeps us coming back. In this episode we cover: *  Why “home” can be a feeling — and how parkrun helps create it  *  Starting and growing a new parkrun event community in Japan  *  The leadership “secret” behind GGD2’s success (including shared leadership and junior Run Directors)  *  The magic of new event launches — and what they reveal about community  *  A wonderfully practical happiness model you’ll want to share  If you’ve ever travelled, moved, started again, or simply needed a place to belong… this one will land. 🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify (or wherever you get your podcasts) 💛 If you enjoy the episode, please follow/subscribe, leave a rating/review, and share it with a fellow parkrunner. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2530997/fan_mail/new] Thank you for tuning in. It's been great to have you here.. If you've enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our podcast. Stay connected with us on social media (Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/parkrunners_podcast/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574917412432] & LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13184454/]) for updates and more inspiring parkrunners' stories. Until next time, keep running, keep smiling and keep on showing up!

Sophie Raworth: from BBC News to Marathon des Sables — Why parkrun still grounds me

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 [https://www.instagram.com/sophieraworth/]. 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 later life. Now aged 58 — and fitter and stronger than ever — Sophie has completed more than 220 parkruns, countless marathons and ultra-distance events, including the legendary 250km Marathon des Sables across the Sahara Desert. She also achieved an astonishing parkrun PB of 20:31 at the age of 51 — proof that progress doesn’t have an expiry date. In this uplifting and deeply honest conversation, Sophie shares: 🏃‍♀️ How running transformed her life after 40 🌳 Why parkrun became such an important part of her story 💪 Recovering mentally and physically after a fractured ankle forced her to stop running for a year 🔥 What drives her to keep challenging herself 📖 The inspiration behind her new bestselling book Running on Air ❤️ Why community, movement and Saturday mornings still matter so much From her Richmond Park parkrun memories to ultra marathons in the desert, this episode is a powerful reminder that it is never too late to begin — and that one small step can truly change everything. Whether you’re chasing a PB, coming back from injury, walking your first parkrun, or wondering if it’s “too late” to start… Sophie’s story will leave you inspired. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Buzzsprout and all major podcast platforms. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2530997/fan_mail/new] Thank you for tuning in. It's been great to have you here.. If you've enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our podcast. Stay connected with us on social media (Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/parkrunners_podcast/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574917412432] & LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13184454/]) for updates and more inspiring parkrunners' stories. Until next time, keep running, keep smiling and keep on showing up!

From 28 Stone to parkrun: Chaarlee Eastmond's Journey to Belonging

Chaarlee E [https://www.instagram.com/runningman_1991/]astmond 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 smaller than a finish line. Walking. Then came a moment that changed everything: watching a close friend compete in a backyard ultra and feeling, for the very first time, the pull of the running community. Discovering parkrun (Lloyd parkrun [https://www.parkrun.org.uk/lloyd/]) gave Chaarlee a welcoming doorway into movement, confidence and belonging. Now 26 parkruns into his journey, taking on the LonDone challenge, racing 5Ks, 10Ks and half marathons, and aiming for the London Marathon next year, Chaarlee is rebuilding his life one Saturday at a time. This is an emotional, honest and uplifting conversation about courage, identity, community, self-belief and why the first step really matters. Whether you’re a seasoned parkrunner, a nervous first-timer, or someone standing on the sidelines wondering if you belong — this episode is for you. Share it with someone who needs to hear this powerful message too.  You never know where it will take them! 🎧 Listen now on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4ncoCQdegCysdHEcbeK4fQ?si=05fb5c4d9b174ed1], Apple Podcasts & all major platforms. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2530997/fan_mail/new] Thank you for tuning in. It's been great to have you here.. If you've enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our podcast. Stay connected with us on social media (Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/parkrunners_podcast/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574917412432] & LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13184454/]) for updates and more inspiring parkrunners' stories. Until next time, keep running, keep smiling and keep on showing up!

Christine & Layla Wilson on how parkrun became the rhythm of their family life

How parkrun became the rhythm of one family’s life In this heartwarming episode of The Parkrunners Podcast, I’m joined by Christine Wilson [https://www.instagram.com/theparkrunfamily/] and her 13-year-old daughter Layla from The parkrun family — a lovely grassroots story of Saturday mornings, milestones, parkrun tourism, shared memories and the simple joy of doing parkrun [https://www.parkrun.org.uk/woodley/] together. What began as a family activity has become something much deeper: a weekly rhythm built around movement, connection, confidence, community and plenty of post-parkrun coffee-and-cake moments too. This is also a family known and loved for embracing the fun side of parkrun life — including dressing up for milestone celebrations and bringing an extra sense of joy to the events they visit. That playful spirit shines through in this conversation. Christine shares how parkrun became woven into family life, while Layla brings the story to life through a younger voice — sharing what parkrun feels like from a child’s perspective, what makes a parkrun morning special, and why it has become such an important part of their world. This is a warm, relatable episode about family, belonging and the quiet magic of showing up week after week. In this episode, we explore: *  how parkrun first became part of their family life  *  when it grew from a Saturday activity into a real family rhythm  *  the joy of family milestones, tourism and dressing up to celebrate  *  what parkrun gives children as well as adults  *  why parkrun is about so much more than the 5k itself  A lovely listen for parkrunners, parkwalkers, volunteers and anyone who believes that the smallest weekly habits can shape family life in the biggest ways. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2530997/fan_mail/new] Thank you for tuning in. It's been great to have you here.. If you've enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our podcast. Stay connected with us on social media (Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/parkrunners_podcast/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574917412432] & LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13184454/]) for updates and more inspiring parkrunners' stories. Until next time, keep running, keep smiling and keep on showing up!

Priti Kaur: Recovery, Resilience & Running in the London Marathon at 75!

In this uplifting episode of The Parkrunners Podcast, [https://www.instagram.com/parkrunners_podcast/] I’m joined by the wonderful Priti Kaur [https://www.instagram.com/hula_hoop_kaur/] — a 75-years-young parkrunner from Osterley parkrun [https://www.parkrun.org.uk/osterley/] 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 diagnosed with myeloma, a blood cancer, and has since come through treatment and into remission. Now, with her trademark warmth, courage and determination, she’s back on the start line.  We talk about her love of movement, how parkrun helped her rebuild strength and joy, why community matters so much, and what it means to keep saying yes to life — even after the toughest of chapters. This is a story of hope, comeback, and the power of putting one foot in front of the other. Give her a listen and show Priti [https://www.instagram.com/hula_hoop_kaur/] some love! Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2530997/fan_mail/new] Thank you for tuning in. It's been great to have you here.. If you've enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our podcast. Stay connected with us on social media (Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/parkrunners_podcast/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574917412432] & LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13184454/]) for updates and more inspiring parkrunners' stories. Until next time, keep running, keep smiling and keep on showing up!