Defying the odds

Radio presenter Jenni Falconer is on the pod this week to chat about her love of running and parkrun. She tells us about her quirky way of counting steps while running.

Andy Large is our guest this week who tells us how finding out he had diabetes prompted him to start going to parkrun.

The brilliant Malcolm from Bolton joins us this week to chat about his decision to retire from parkrun at the tender age of 91. He completed 100 parkruns at Bolton and has volunteered 205 times making him a parkrun legend. We also hear from Hugh Brasher, the London Marathon Event Director who tells us all about his love of parkrun.

Helen’s on her own this week as we celebrate junior parkrun turning 12. She speaks to the Crebbin family about why they got involved with parkrun and how it has become an integral part of their weekend. Volunteer Adrian Dixon also joins the pod to tell us why parkrun is so important to him and his mental health. And Helen’s kids Rosie and Aston make their FWT debuts.

Author Matt Whyman is on the pod this week to talk about his new book - ‘Failure is an Option’. He tells us his story of a love of running that developed from school cross-country through parkruns, to one of the toughest events in the world. He also recounts the story of how Muhammad Ali changed his life.

Nutritionist and author Anita Bean joins the pod this week to tell us more about sports nutrition. She breaks down some of the myths about food, and explains what we can all do to improve our lifestyles.

Wellness coach Davina Driver joins the pod this week. She tells us what wellness means and how it can be used in relation to parkrun. And Vassos receives some good news, before realising it’s not that good!

Professional triathlete, Olympic gold medallist and avid parkrunner Alex Yee joins the pod this week. He tells us why parkrun is so important to his whole family, the joy it gave him taking his grandfather to parkrun to celebrate his 90th birthday and how proud he is recording the second fastest parkrun of all time.

In celebration of International Women’s Day, we hear from 19-year-old Olivia Smith who tells us why volunteering at parkrun is so important to her. Shortly after discovering parkrun three years ago, she was diagnosed with a debilitating neurological disorder that left her with limited use of her legs and arms. Determined not to let that keep her away, she is fast approaching her 70th parkrun and can be seen every week at Hillsborough parkrun.

Frances Drury from Sport England joins us this week to chat about “This Girl Can”, which is their nationwide campaign to get women and girls moving. We hear about a milestone for Mary and debate the new rules regarding dogs at parkrun.