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 as U18 England hockey coach, mentor, and 'parkrun primary' ambassador.  

Shona shares what fuels her passion for helping young people move more, learn from sport, and build community through parkrun. A conversation full of purpose, positivity, and the power of starting somewhere.

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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, having completed a total of 378 parkruns at 278 different venues across 13 countries, and now closing in on his 10th full alphabet of parkrun locations. He has also completed an impressive 104 volunteer stints.

For Darren, parkrun isn’t a hobby — it’s a lifestyle. He plans his work, travel, and fitness around Saturday mornings, usually alongside his wife, who shares the journey and the parkrun love. From launching Windsor’s beloved retail spots like Guy Stuff and Lollies’N’Stuff, to acquiring Aviation Collectables International, Darren brings the same passion and precision to business that he does to every finish line.

We explore what drives this global parkrun quest, how parkrun fuels his wellbeing and community connection, and why he believes parkrun is life. Whether you’re chasing your first PB or your 100th venue, Darren’s story will inspire you to lace up, dream big, and maybe even start your own alphabet adventure.

🎧 Tune in for this globe-trotting, episode that celebrates movement, meaning, and the magic of Saturday mornings at every parkrun venue across the world.

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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, Facebook & LinkedIn) for updates and more inspiring parkrunners' stories. Until next time, keep running, keep smiling and keep on showing up!

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, entrepreneur and youth mental health champion whose extraordinary feats have captured the world’s attention.

Greg has already completed seven marathons on seven continents in seven days, smashed Fastest Known Times around the globe, and run 3,156 miles across the United States from New York to Washington. Now, he’s on a mission to create an new Guinness World Record: a world-first source-to-sea run of the Mississippi River, averaging nearly a marathon a day to raise awareness and support for youth mental health.

In this conversation, Greg opens up about:

• How parkrun reignited his joy for running and community connection.
• His candid journey through addiction and recovery, and why he believes “the antidote to addiction is connection.”
• The discipline of turning a 5k habit into preparation for world-record endurance runs.
• The inspiration of his late grandmother Ruby, whose encouragement fuels every mile.
• His vision for Run Far Club, a movement he's founded to bring after-school running and resilience programs to young people across all 50 states.

This is more than a story about running. It’s a story about resilience, community, and dreaming so big that you have no choice but to rise to meet it.

👉 Tune in and be inspired by Greg’s mission to turn every step into hope for the next generation.

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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, Facebook & LinkedIn) for updates and more inspiring parkrunners' stories. Until next time, keep running, keep smiling and keep on showing up!

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, Olwyn has spent more than a decade building community, championing inclusion, and literally saving lives.

In her role as parkrun Ambassador for over 7 years, she helped launch Cabinteely and Shanganagh parkruns, and brought parkrun into a rehabilitation centre supporting young offenders and those recovering from addiction. But her impact doesn’t stop there.

After her husband survived a cardiac arrest while training for a marathon, Olwyn  turned crisis into action — training in CPR and AED use, and teaching others at parkruns in Dublin. Just six weeks after one of her sessions, those skills saved another life.

This episode is a celebration of showing up, giving back, and the quiet heroism that lives in parkrun communities. Tune in for a moving conversation about resilience, purpose, and the power of parkrun to transform lives — one Saturday at a time.

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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, Facebook & LinkedIn) for updates and more inspiring parkrunners' stories. Until next time, keep running, keep smiling and keep on showing up!

Join us as we dive into the fascinating journey of John Altman, famously known as 'Nasty Nick Cotton' from EastEnders. After captivating audiences for nearly 30 years as a soap opera villain, John has embraced a new passion: parkrun. Discover how this iconic TV bad boy transformed into a dedicated parkrun lover and volunteer, sharing his love for fitness and community. Tune in to hear John's inspiring stories, from his days on set to his adventures on the running track. Don't miss this unique blend of celebrity insight and heartfelt motivation!

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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, Facebook & LinkedIn) for updates and more inspiring parkrunners' stories. Until next time, keep running, keep smiling and keep on showing up!

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 commitment to community is matched only by his love of Oasis and his ever-expanding collection of running shoes!

We explore how a newspaper article (and a nudge from his wife Aoife) kickstarted his @parkrun journey back in 2017, the joy of running alongside his son Noah, and why volunteering gives him just as much — if not more — than crossing the finish line. Expect warmth, wit, and a reminder that “5k is 5k no matter how long it takes.”

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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, Facebook & LinkedIn) for updates and more inspiring parkrunners' stories. Until next time, keep running, keep smiling and keep on showing up!

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 commitment weekend in and weekend out embodies the spirit of volunteerism that makes parkrun a global phenomenon.  

And as the global parkrun community hits its 1 millionth individual volunteer milestone this weekend (7th Sept 2025), there's no better time to join us as we dive into their inspiring journey, hear their stories, and celebrate their immense contribution to the parkrun community. This episode is a beautiful testament to the power of dedication and the heart of parkrun volunteers. Tune in for a journey of passion, community, and the spirit of giving back!

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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, Facebook & LinkedIn) for updates and more inspiring parkrunners' stories. Until next time, keep running, keep smiling and keep on showing up!

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 masterclass in commitment, kindness, and the quiet power of showing up.

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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, Facebook & LinkedIn) for updates and more inspiring parkrunners' stories. Until next time, keep running, keep smiling and keep on showing up!

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 discovered parkrun, a simple weekly timed 5k event that became the foundation for his recovery. In this moving episode, discover how a community of runners and walkers helped him overcome his challenges, leading him to complete over 30 marathons and volunteer over 150 times.

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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, Facebook & LinkedIn) for updates and more inspiring parkrunners' stories. Until next time, keep running, keep smiling and keep on showing up!

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 journey from a self-proclaimed 'non-runner' to a community builder, and why she founded the Asian Women Run group. Discover how running became her therapy and her mission to help others find their stride.

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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, Facebook & LinkedIn) for updates and more inspiring parkrunners' stories. Until next time, keep running, keep smiling and keep on showing up!